China pulls down Starbucks earnings

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 3, 2023

Although Starbucks reported Thursday that Q1 same-store sales grew in the U.S. by 10%, China's lower-than-expected performance left the coffee giant 2 cents…

3 restaurant tech trends with staying power in 2023

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Executives from Chipotle, Jersey Mike's, Big Chicken, Modern Market, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Focus Brands and Garden Catering reveal the technologies they deem…

Why Slapfish founder created a seafood chophouse

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Celebrity Chef Andrew Gruel, who founded Slapfish and sold it last year, has returned his focus to seafood dining with the opening of the Calico Fish House — a…

Tony Roma's, Duck Donuts, Tropical Smoothie among CEOs closing Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit attendees will learn about Tony Roma's transition into the fast casual market, Duck Donuts' growth strategy and…

FastCasual's Top 10 most-read stories of 2022

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Readers were most interested in well-established brands moving into new markets. News about Dave's Hot Chicken, for example, entering South Carolina and…

Mothers know best: How Heritage Eats founders became 'taco purists'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

The founders of Heritage Eats are opening Mothers Tacos, a fast casual brand in California serving Mexico City-inspired tacos.

Fast Casual accepting 2023 Top 100 nominations

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Nominations close Feb. 1

Pizza Top 100 nomination deadline extended

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Nominations close Dec. 16.

How former Wall Streeter created a 25-unit smoothie brand

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Baya Bar has 25 locations and will double nationally over the next 18 months.

Chick N Max: From Perfect Pitch winners to up-and-coming franchisor

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Coming out of COVID-19 in 2021, Chick N Max sales grew 30% over 2020, generating two-year sales comps over 40%. In 2022, sales and transaction growth continue…

Pizza Marketplace launches Top 100 Movers & Shakers

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

This special report from Pizza Marketplace will shine a spotlight on pizza brands and brand executives that are shaping the future of the pizza segment.

Leadership shake-ups coming at Wingstop, Blaze Pizza?

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

November 10, 2022

Wingstop Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue and Technology Officer Stacy Peterson is stepping down to become the CEO of a "private equity-sponsored…

Pumpkin spice, iced drinks drive Starbucks Q4 sales

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Cold coffee beverages accounted for nearly 80% of total beverage sales in U.S company-operated stores, and the pumpkin spice platform was up 17%.

Ballard Brands execs, Chef Jose Garces to reveal how to build a 'brand of the future'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Ideation Hospitality COO Scott Campanella will join Chef Jose Garces and Ballard Brands CDO Davis Mesa in a keynote panel at the Restaurant Franchising and…

Wow Bao enters the metaverse

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

November 2, 2022

Chicago-based Wow Bao, a fast casual brand available in over 200 locations, is entering the metaverse, announcing Wednesday that it is offering an NFT-based…

Fast Casual names '20 Brands to Watch' in 2023

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

To qualify for the list, each brand had to be no more than six years old, have at least one location open and have never appeared on this list in the past or…

Pumpkin LTOs still boosting traffic

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Although Thursday marked the first official day of fall, restaurants around the world didn't wait to launch their pumpkin-flavored LTOs with good reason.

#QSRNext starring Taco Bell, Focus Brands, Popeyes, CKE execs

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

QSRWeb's virtual talk show, #QSRNext, takes place Nov. 9 and will feature insight and advice from several successful industry leaders.

Panera testing CarPay

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

September 8, 2022

Panera Bread is testing CarPlay in some stores, allowing loyalty members with iPhones to access the Panera app to place an order from their car dashboards.

Introducing the 2022 Fast Casual Perfect Pitchers

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Following a global contest, five concepts will compete in The Perfect Pitch at the annual Fast Casual Executive Summit. Here's a sneak peek of the presenters.