Why the 'pizza party vs. raise' debate reveals a bigger catering opportunity

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

New data on workplace meals shows employees are more productive, more connected and more likely to return to the office when food is provided, creating a clear…

How Starbucks’ new leadership role could help more women advance in the restaurant industry

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The coffee chain will hire over 300 coffeehouse coaches over the next month, with thousands more by the end of the calendar year. It could be a huge step to…

Wonder-owned Grubhub launches ChatGPT ordering integration

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

June 19, 2026

In an effort to capture customers using AI platforms for daily digital discovery, Grubhub has launched an integration with OpenAI's ChatGPT, allowing users to…

Wonder, Dave’s Hot Chicken Real Estate VPs reveal growth strategies

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Real estate strategy is central to growth for restaurant brands, and Wonder and Dave's Hot Chicken are taking different approaches to scale. In a podcast…

'Going Live with Fast Casual Nation and Shake Shack:' Inside 'Project Catalyst' and what comes next

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

We are not talking about transformation in theory. We are talking about what it looks like inside a brand that is actively doing the work.

De-risking the map: Why traditional site selection is failing modern restaurants

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Whether you're looking to scale your footprint, optimize existing markets or get a clearer picture of where your target customers are spending their time…

Yelp's 2026 growth data: Fast casual brands, customization devouring the competition

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Fast casual is dominating when it comes not only to specific brands — 7 Brews, Dave's Hot Chicken, Cava and Chipotle — but also to the culture it has helped…

'You’re not annoying; you’re marketing': Top takeaways from the Restaurant Marketing Workshop

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Check out these 10 highlights of the Restaurant Marketing Workshop.

Navigating the tightest restaurant real estate market in 20 years

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Ebere Anokute, head of retail research for CBRE, during the ICSC real estate conference in Las Vegas, reveals the shifting dynamics of restaurant real estate…

The 'dirt' on dirt: 4 restaurant real estate trends revealed at ICSC

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Interviews at the International Council of Shopping Centers conference revealed top trends in real estate. Success in the restaurant industry isn't just about…

Killer Burger eyes national growth with Houston debut, doubles down on ‘no shortcuts’ strategy

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Killer Burger opens its first Houston location, expanding in Texas with a franchise-led strategy focused on operations, consistency and scalable growth.

Walk the Orange Carpet: A sneak peek at the 2026 Fast Casual Top 100 Gala

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Discover what’s in store for this year’s 2026 Fast Casual Top 100 Gala, including data-driven insights, live interviews and special awards.

Shake Shack shares tumble despite record openings, revenue growth

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Shake Shack hits a record-breaking development streak in Q1, but stock dropped after missing Wall Street's revenue and profit estimates. Explore how the brand…

Chipotle's Q1 earnings: Tech, sauce innovation drive transaction growth

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The company's return to positive transaction growth was due to a focus on four pillars -- efficiency, innovative sauces attracting new guests, gamification and…

Starbucks' shine is back: 3 lessons from the Brian Niccol playbook

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Simplifying metrics, focusing on incrementality and protecting turnover rates are part of the Starbucks turnaround plan.

Piada Italian Street Food eyes national expansion with capital raise

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The 62-unit brand is pursuing a strategic capital raise to fuel a massive national scale-up. The goal? Transforming from a regional powerhouse into a national…

No clicks given: How to get AI to recommend your restaurant

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The shift has brought us to a new frontier: GEO (Generative Engine Optimization). If SEO was about being found by a search engine, GEO is about being…

Jersey Mike’s 'confidentially' files for IPO with $1B target

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

April 20, 2026

Jersey Mike's Subs is aiming for a spot among the nation's most valuable restaurant chains as it moves forward with plans for an initial public offering.

Meet the Top 30 Movers & Shakers: Restaurant Marketing

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

We’re proud to honor the 2026 Restaurant Marketing Top 30 Movers & Shakers, who will be recognized at the Restaurant Marketing Workshop on June 2–3 in Boston.

Starbucks revamps partner incentives: 3 lessons for the fast casual industry

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The initiative, part of the company’s "Back to Starbucks" transformation, introduces quarterly bonuses, expanded digital tipping, and a transition to weekly…