The 'Big Ass' shift: What Chipotle’s newest campaign says about brands getting real

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

While the specs of a 170-liter burrito bag are hilarious, the real story here isn't just about packaging or family-sized carnitas; it's about culture.

Smaller menus may not be the growth hack restaurants thought they were

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

As restaurants continue to balance operational simplicity with the need to give guests reasons to visit, the menu-size debate is unlikely to disappear. The…

How Skyline Chili's purchasing co-op put 20 AI 'direct reports' to work

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Sky Co-op founder Tom Hannon explains how AI that monitors the business, rather than just answering questions, is helping catch margin leaks in weeks instead…

Grubhub moves into dine-in, betting on restaurant traffic and rewards

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The new weekly program gives diners Grubhub credit for eating at participating restaurants, including beta debuts in New York City and Chicago with Tacombi…

The people behind restaurants need care, too

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The deaths of Traveler’s Cart’s Thy and Matthew Mitchell and the loss of their two young children are a painful reminder that behind every restaurant are…

Stop taking so long: 5 lessons from Bar Rescue's Jon Taffer

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Here are five takeaways from Jon Taffer's keynote International Franchise Association event this week.

Perfect Pitch winner TAP joins 9 brands in 2026 'Fast Casual Frontrunners'

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

There are plenty of restaurant brands trying to be the next big thing, but discovering those that could actually shape where fast casual goes next is a…

4 fall menu items that have nothing to do with pumpkin spice

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

From lobster-shaped lollipops to Dr Pepper-dusted chicken, these fast-casual brands are taking a different approach to fall menus.

Meet the 6 brands taking the stage at the 2026 Perfect Pitch

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Bronx Burger Co., Dizzy Bird, PLOMO Quesadillas, Griller Bros, Redhead Burger and Tiki Bagel will compete in the 2026 competition.

How Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ maintains food quality across shrinking footprints

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

September 16, 2026

Crave Founder Samantha Rincione is putting more emphasis on smaller footprints, lower operating costs and takeout and delivery.

Nominations are open: Is your fast casual brand one to watch in 2027?

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Nominations close Oct. 5, 2026.

Why Jersey Mike’s is no longer renting the customer

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The shift toward first-party ordering is happening alongside another important change in the company's growth strategy: Jersey Mike’s is deliberately relying…

WOWorks unleashes tiered franchise incentives, co-branding discounts to drive growth

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

September 10, 2026

WOWorks, the parent company behind Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, The Simple Greek, Barberitos and Zoup Eatery, has launched a…

6 ways c-stores and grocers are stealing fast casual lunch traffic

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

A Toast study reveals how cash-flush retailers are leveraging AI, prepared foods and aggressive hiring to win dining dollars.

Pita Pit's Crispy Donair raises a question: Isn't this just a sandwich?

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

A sandwich by any other name would taste as sweet?

Brothers, friends launch Griller Bros in Bangladesh, ready to grow

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Founded by three brothers and a core group of culinary professionals with two decades of international food industry experience, Griller Bros was born out of a…

Evergreens dangles reduced royalty rates to land 1st franchisees

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Excluding airport units, the top half of Evergreen's company-owned restaurants averaged more than $1.45 million in annual sales last year

4 reasons (and a raccoon) why you can't miss the Fast Casual Executive Summit

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Keynoters, Perfect Pitch contestants and a trash panda walk into Arlington; here's your Fast Casual Executive Summit October 4–6 game plan.

Why Gwyneth Paltrow-backed Goop Kitchen is adding dine-in to $6.7M delivery empire

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The company opened its first dine-in restaurant this month at One Paseo in Del Mar, California, a 92-seat flagship that marks a new chapter for a brand that…

AI, location data reshaping how restaurant brands chase foot traffic

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Azira's Gladys Kong and Good Way Group's Isabel Soriano break down how predictive analytics, privacy shifts and hyper-local targeting are changing site…