Mountain Mike's lights up Sunnyvale, California

March 10, 2021

Rapidly expanding West Coast pizza chain, Mountain Mike's is opening its first Sunnyvale, California, store on East El Camino Real in Santa Clara County…

How Famous Dave's fueled growth during pandemic

Famous Dave's Chief Operating Officer Al Hank discusses why the nearly 130-unit chain has been focusing on off-premise service since 2017 and how that strategy…

El Pollo Loco begins store remodel with 3 restaurants

March 10, 2021

El Pollo Loco, a Costa Mesa, California-based fire-grilled chicken chain, has begun its design relaunch unveiling the first three of more than 300 restaurants…

Habit Burger continuing Arizona expansion

March 10, 2021

California-based The Habit Burger Grill is opening Wednesday in Mesa, Arizona, according to a company press release.

FAT Brands entering African market

March 9, 2021

FAT Brands Inc., parent company of Fatburger, Buffalo's Express and seven other restaurant concepts, has signed a deal to bring five co-branded Fatburger and…

Cardlytics acquires Dosh

March 9, 2021

Cardlytics, a digital advertising platform, has acquired Dosh, a cash-back offers platform. Previously announced on March 1, the acquisition will combine the…

Hero Brands investing in Island Poke

March 9, 2021

UK-based Island Poke has secured an investment from Hero Brands, which owns German Doner Kebab and Choppaluna, to help it accelerate growth, according to a…

Chipotle rolling out quesadillas

March 9, 2021

Chipotle Mexican Grill is introducing a Hand-Crafted Quesadilla Thurday but as a digital-only menu item.

FastCasual reveals 2021's '20 Brands to Watch'

March 9, 2021

Being the new kid on the restaurant block is always scary, but few would argue that moving in during a global pandemic would be terrifying. After all, there…

Celebrating International Women's Day: Dickey's, Jack In The Box, Blaze among leaders featured

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Female execs, including leaders from Dickey's, Freddy's, Jack in the box and Blaze, talk about how they've handled discrimination and what they want Gen Z to…

BurgerFi's debuts SWAG in what may soon be the spicy burger war

March 9, 2021

After launching its Spicy Fi'ed Chicken Sandwich during the spicy chicken sandwich wars, BurgerFi is upping the ante and ready to do battle in another sandwich…

Dog Haus announces Glendora location

March 9, 2021

Dog Haus, a gourmet hot dog chain based in Pasedena, California, is opening a restaurant in Glendora, California on March 20. Located at 905 E. Arrow Hwy.…

20 Fast Casual Brands to Watch in 2021

Although the pandemic has forced thousands of brands — old and new — to shutter, the newbies on our list of “20 Fast Casual Brands to Watch” are finding ways…

Olo launches IPO

March 8, 2021

Digital ordering and delivery program platform provider, Olo Inc., launched the initial public offering of its Class A common stock. Olo is offering 18 million…

Restaurant industry considered one of winners of American Rescue Plan en route to House

The American Rescue Plan is on its way to the U.S. House for expected passage before heading to the president's desk for signing into law and restaurants stand…

Jinya Holdings slated for major growth in 2021

March 8, 2021

After a year of restaurants trying to eek out a living, Burbank, California-based Jinya Holdings Inc. has proven that its brands are well positioned for growth…

Wayback Burgers posts record sales during pandemic

March 8, 2021

Wayback Burgers posted solid growth in 2020 despite a global pandemic and is achieving record-setting numbers for 2021, according to company release.

DoorDash, Chiney Ogwumike celebrate women-owned restaurants

March 8, 2021

DoorDash is partnering with Chiney Ogwumike, a WNBA all-star and television personality, to promote Made by Women, a digital in-app platform that champions…

From Shake Shack to Chipotle: 24 female execs on leading in 2021

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

In celebration of International Women's Day, FastCasual interviewed 24 female leaders on how they make their voices heard in an industry led predominantly by…

FastCasual collecting operator insight for 2021 Dining Survey

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

March 5, 2021

FastCasual.com has teamed up with Dosh to find out how restaurants are faring in 2021 vs. 2020, and we want to hear from as many readers as possible. The poll…