SoundHound, ChowNow answering the (restaurant) call

August 29, 2023

SoundHound AI, a provider of voice artificial intelligence, is joining forces with ChowNow, an online ordering and marketing platform, to allow restaurants to…

Cousins Subs remodels Madison-based store

August 28, 2023

After a remodel, Cousins Subs is re-opening it store at 3715 E. Washington Ave., in Madison, Wisconsin. The 2,200 square-foot restaurant is corporately owned…

Honeygrow opens 3 locations

August 28, 2023

Honeygrow, a Philadelphia-based fast casual restaurant known for made-to-order stir-fry, salads and honeybars, recently opened three locations within two weeks…

Craveworthy hires VP of digital technology

August 28, 2023

Craveworthy Brands, the parent company of Wing It On, The Budlong, Krafted Burger + Tap, Genghis Grill, BD's Mongolian Grill and Flat Top Grill, has hired…

FastCasual accepting nominations for 2024 Brands to Watch

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

August 28, 2023

Just a few months ago, we celebrated the annual 2023 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers, which recognizes the industry's most innovative companies…

DoorDash introduces AI, agent-powered voice-ordering solution

August 28, 2023

DoorDash has launched voice-ordering capabilities incorporating AI, building on its model leveraging agents to support restaurant operations. The…

Former Kitchen United CEO takes lead role at Dog Haus

August 28, 2023

Former Kitchen United CEO Michael Montagano will become the first CEO of Dog Haus, where he has served on the Board of Directors for the past three years and…

Investment firm CIO discusses how to attract capital

Uday Ahuja, CFO of RSE Ventures, a private investment firm that invests in Bluestone Lane, Magnolia Bakery, Fuku, Momofuku Orchard and Milk Ba, shares tips on…

Capital Tacos taking New Jersey

August 25, 2023

Florida-based Capital Tacos is opening in Middlesex County, New Jersey after securing its first franchise agreement with brothers Parth and Yash Pate for the…

Sweetgreen hires 2 former Chipotle execs

August 25, 2023

Los Angeles-based Sweetgreen has added two people to the leadership team — Chad Brauze as head of culinary, and Michael Kotick, as VP and head of marketing.

Why VARs Surpass Online Marketplaces For POS Tech

Find out how VARs in retail and POS system technology bring expertise to ensure you have the best solutions for your business needs.

Swig developing 250 units

August 24, 2023

Swig, which launched multi-unit franchising six months ago, has signed 250 franchise units across seven emerging markets — Florida, North Carolina, South…

Hat Creek Burger selling beef only from Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan's company

August 24, 2023

Hat Creek Burger Co, an Austin-based restaurant with 26 locations, is now selling beef only from Goodstock by Nolan Ryan, a division of Nolan Ryan Brands…

20 years later: Pumpkin spice still rules

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Although it's too early to tell if all-things pumpkin will increase traffic this year, it's a likely outcome based on the past 20 years. Most chains have…

Shipley Do-Nuts eyeing Midwest expansion

August 23, 2023

Shipley Do-Nuts, which has 340 locations in 12 states, has opened franchise development opportunities in Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio and is…

How bb.q Chicken maintains consistency throughout rapid expansion

Joseph Kim, CEO, of bb.q Chicken in the U.S., reveals how the brand's three restaurant formats allow it to cater to franchisees in a variety of markets

Fast casual execs talk deploying AI when budgets are tight

August 23, 2023

Cutting costs, reducing errors, improving customer satisfaction and enhancing the customer experience are just a few benefits of incorporating artificial…

Big Chicken is pretty big deal in Michigan

August 22, 2023

Big Chicken, a fast casual chicken concept founded by Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, has signed a deal with H&D Group Investments to bring 20 locations to…

Taco Bell franchisee opening 7th Taco Bell Cantina

August 22, 2023

Diversified Restaurant Group, one of the largest Taco Bell franchisees and which operates 325 locations, is opening is seventh Taco Bell Cantina, a fast casual…

Crimson Coward Nashville Hot Chicken opening in Maryland

August 22, 2023

Crimson Coward Nashville Hot Chicken has signed a lease with David S. Brown Enterprises to open at Boulevard Corporate Center in Owings Mills, Maryland.