News & Media
Labor Forecasting 2.0: Predicting Future Demand and Staffing for Efficient Growth with AI
Labor is your most significant controllable cost—but leveraging labor as a growth driver is more complex than ever. Enter labor forecasting 2.0: an AI-driven…
Presented by Deputy Corporation
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SoundHound AI, Acrelec partner on voice-enabled drive-thrus
July 31, 2025
SoundHound AI and Acrelec are partnering to bring advanced, voice-enabled drive-thru systems to restaurants worldwide by integrating SoundHound's Dynamic…
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How Shake Shack CEO is tackling 3 industry challenges
by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
To drive traffic in a "value-oriented market," Shake Shack is moving beyond its traditional word-of-mouth marketing. The company has embarked on a paid media…
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How Dig Inn maintains quality at scale: A CMO's Guide to brand, loyalty, AI
Dig Inn CMO Jessica Serrano reveals how the chef-driven fast casual chain rebuilt its brand identity, scaled from Manhattan to suburban markets and leveraged…
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Toast unveils handheld POS with cellular capabilities
July 31, 2025
Toast has released Toast Go 3, a handheld point-of-sale device, designed to enhance speed and service for restaurants operating in diverse environments. The…
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Little Details, Big Impression — How to Impress In-Person Guests
As in-person dining continues to rebound, guests are walking through your doors with higher expectations than ever. They’re not just judging the food — they’re…
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McAlister's Deli expanding via 'Fast Casual Plus' model
July 30, 2025
McAlister's Deli, which is eyeing New Jersey and the metro New York-area for expansion, is ready to unveil its "Fast Casual Plus" hospitality model featuring a…
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Cava highlights 'values-driven growth' in Impact Report
July 30, 2025
Cava, a Mediterranean fast casual restaurant brand, has released its first Impact Report, detailing how its mission-driven approach has fostered advancements…
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Velvet Taco launches annual WTF taco contest
July 30, 2025
Velvet Taco, a fast casual restaurant known for its globally inspired tacos, has launched its fourth annual WTF (Weekly Taco Feature) Recipe Contest, inviting…
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Starbucks CEO reveals 5-step recovery plan
by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
Despite a 2% decline in global comparable store sales and a 45% year-over-year decrease in EPS, CEO Brian Niccol is spearheading a turnaround strategy…
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ezCater enhances employee meal program with self-serve features
July 30, 2025
ezCater, a food tech platform for workplaces, has launched self-serve features for its employee meal program, Relish by ezCater. The updates aim to provide…
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Criminal charges dropped against Wiederhorn, FAT Brands
by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
July 29, 2025
While the criminal charges brought by the U.S. Department of Justice against Wiederhorn and FAT Brands have been dismissed, the SEC's civil fraud charges are…
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Fat Boy's Pizza, Savvy Sliders bring co-branded unit to Fort Wayne, Indiana
July 29, 2025
Savvy Sliders and Fat Boy's Pizza will open a co-branded unit this fall in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The restaurants, located in a former BurgerFi, are located at…
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Velvet Taco, Salad House, &pizza, Erik's DeliCafe leaders talk online engagement, smart promotions
by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com
Top restaurant leaders share insight on fueling growth through online engagement and smart promotions at the upcoming Fast Casual Executive Summit.
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Corbett's Burgers & Soda Bar franchising Carolinas
July 29, 2025
After honing operations at its five locations in North Carolina, Corbett's Burgers & Soda Bar is expanding its footprint across North and South Carolina…
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Ovation launches tools to sharpen restaurant CX
July 29, 2025
Ovation, a guest experience platform for multi-unit restaurants, has launched several tools to help operators measure, manage and improve guest experience…
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Nominations open for Top 30 Movers & Shakers: Catering
by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
July 28, 2025
Nominations close on Aug. 17
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PopUp Bagels to open 300 stores
July 28, 2025
PopUp Bagels, which launched during the 2020 pandemic in Connecticut, has signed agreements to open 300 franchised locations.
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GoTo Foods launches Moe's Casa Mexicana
July 28, 2025
GoTo Foods is opening Moe's Casa Mexicana — a concept derived from Moe's Southwest Grill in India, thanks to a 45-unit master franchise agreement with Unify…
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Nominations now open for Pizza Marketplace's 'Pizza Brands to Watch 2026' report
July 25, 2025
Pizza Marketplace's annual Pizza Brands to Watch 2026 report will highlight pizza brands of note. The nomination deadline is August 15.
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