At least 1 Starbucks to unionize

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

December 10, 2021

Despite a letter sent this week to Starbucks employees from CEO Kevin Johnson reminding them that they were the "heartbeat of this company," workers at the…

Hughes Recognized as a Leader in Managed SD-WAN Services by Frost & Sullivan for Third Consecutive Year

The Frost Radar report highlights the company’s robust access portfolio; ability to deliver a variety of transport and vendor choices; and partnerships with…

Fatburger, Buffalo's Express make Arkansas debut

December 9, 2021

FAT Brands Inc., the parent company of Fatburger, Buffalo's Express, and 13 other restaurant concepts, has opened a co-branded Fatburger and Buffalo's Express…

5 restaurant tech trends here to stay in 2022

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Take a look at five technologies that will still be necessary in 2022.

Fazoli’s, FAT Brands CEOs keynoting RFIS 2022

December 9, 2021

Fazoli's and FAT Brands made headlines last month when their CEOs Carl Howard and Andy Widerhorn, respectively, announced that FAT Brands was acquiring the…

Fast casual concept opens within 'healthy food desert'

December 9, 2021

Greenbar, a healthy fast casual concept committed to serving communities within healthy food deserts, debuted this month in Ft. Washington, Maryland, 35 miles…

Americans won't return to pre-pandemic dining habits

December 9, 2021

Almost two-thirds (64%) of consumers do not plan to return to their pre-pandemic habits of dining in restaurants within the next six months, according to a…

Hoots, Hooters names Marketing VP

December 9, 2021

HOA Brands, the franchisor of Hooters as well as its fast casual brand, Hoots Wings, has promoted Monica Fleury to vice president of brand marketing.

Panera, Tik Toker reveal ugly holiday cups

December 8, 2021

Move over, ugly holiday sweaters, and make room for ugly cups.

Fusian founders launching chicken concept

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Hunny Bee’s is the third restaurant concept for Ohio-based Paceline Restaurant Partners, which also owns the sushi concept, Fusian, and The Wizard of Za, a…

Nextbite launches Asian restaurant

December 8, 2021

Nextbite, a provider of virtual restaurants, has launched its first Asian cuisine brand — Lucky Dragon Fried Rice — a street fare-inspired, delivery-only menu…

Zunzi's launching regional franchise program

December 7, 2021

Zunzi's, a 16-year-old takeout shop known for its South African-inspired sandwiches, is launching a regional franchise program aimed at expanding the Savannah…

Slim Chickens inks largest franchise deal in brand history

December 7, 2021

Slim Chickens has inked a deal for the state of Indiana and the Southeast region of Florida for a total of 60 locations, the largest deal in the brand's…

Acrelec acquires OrderMatic

December 7, 2021

Acrelec, a manufacturer of customer experience software and hardware solutions, has acquired Oklahoma City-based OrderMatic technology for an undisclosed sum…

Roll-Em-Up Taquitos on a franchising fast track

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Roll-Em-Up Taquitos has three stores open, but 11 deals for 80 units in the works. With regional expansion plans, the company might just be coming to a center…

Woworks, Noodles & Co join Pathways to Black Franchise Ownership

December 7, 2021

Noodles & Co and WOWorks are the first restaurant franchise companies to adopt the Pathways to Black Franchise Ownership program.

Malaysia-born coffee shop opening near Chicago

December 7, 2021

PappaRoti, a 400-unit coffee shop based in Malaysia, is opening this month in Naperville, Illinois.

Mici Handcrafted Italian opens in Colorado Springs

December 7, 2021

Mici Handcrafted Italian has opened its seventh store with a location in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The store is in the King Soopers center in Briargate…

ConverseNow adds 5 to executive team

December 7, 2021

ConverseNow, a voice AI technology platform for restaurants, has appointed five senior members to join its executive team as the company enters the next phase…

Reef acquires 2ndKitchen

December 7, 2021

Reef Technology Inc., an operator of delivery kitchens, has acquired 2ndKitchen, a provider of virtual kitchens for hotels, offices, buildings, venues and…