Will Panera's grocery rewards platform drive cafe traffic?

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Panera Grocery Rewards sits at the nexus of the company’s loyalty program, CPG business and in-cafe offerings.

Shake Shack, Scooter's Coffee execs keynoting Fast Casual Executive Summit

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Idris Stover, Shake Shack's director of diversity, equity, inclusion and culture, and Nathan Lester, senior director of drive-thru innovation at Scooter's…

How 1 fast casual bakery CEO found success with no recipe

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Mignon François, founder of the Cupcake Collection and mother of six who turned her family’s $5 weekly dinner budget into a multi-million-dollar bakery brand…

Starbucks percolates solid Q2

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

May 3, 2023

Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan said the chain was focused on advancing technology, enhancing equipment, and streamlining operations.

UK's Floozie Cookies ready to win the 'Cookie Conundrum'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Canadian-born pastry chef Kimberly Lin is confident that her 100% vegan-stuffed cookie concept, launched in 2020, takes the (cookie) cake.

Women in the Lead 2023: Honoring 21 of fast casual's top female leaders

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

In honor of International Women's Day, FastCasual interviewed 21 female executives leading the industry.

Experts explore NFTs, digital innovation, labor shortages, food insecurity needs

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Attendees will become mini experts in all-things NFT, digital innovation, fixing the labor shortages and meeting food insecurity needs. Speakers include Blaine…

Shake Shack's Q4 results inch past expectations

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 16, 2023

Shake Shack reported Wednesday that it barely beat analysts' estimates for Q4, ending Dec. 28, 2022. Revenue was $238.5 million, inching past the $238.…

Chipotle misses the mark in Q4 2022

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 8, 2023

Despite falling short of revenue, earnings per share and same-store sales expectations for Q4, ending Dec. 31, 2022, Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol told investors…

Workshopping what your guest experience is missing

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Big Chicken's Sam Stanovich, Dog Haus' CJ Ramirez and Ovation CEO Zack Oates will help attendees evaluate their customer experiences and provide dozens of…

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…