Plant Power Fast Food names sustainability expert as CFO

January 19, 2021

Plant Power Restaurant Group has named Edmund Har, an expert in sustainability, as its top financial executive, according to a news release.

Free webinar: How restaurants can use AI to become more agile

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

In a pandemic-stricken restaurant environment, staying nimble means staying in business. And for QSRs, AI and machine learning is proving to be one of the best…

Green District hires Wolfgang Puck-trained chef as VP

January 18, 2021

Green District, a Louisville, Kentucky-based fast casual concept with five locations, has hired Chef Rob Rice as vice president of Operations and Salad…

Fast casual CEO reveals 5 expectations of franchisees

Yiannis Kosmides, CEO and founder of several restaurant brands, weighs in on what it takes to operate a successful franchise.

Pieology franchisee to open 1st Ohio stores

January 18, 2021

Pieology is opening several stores in Ohio, thanks to a deal with Pizza Pie Investments LLC, a news release said. The company, owned by Jerrod Hartman, signed…

El Pollo Loco urging fans to sweat it out via TikTok

January 15, 2021

El Pollo Loco Inc. is kicking of the new year with its first-ever TikTok campaign, "Workout While You Wait." It challenges customers at home to get up and get…

Mici Handcrafted Italian expanding to Colorado Springs

January 15, 2021

Mici Handcrafted Italian, a five-unit fast casual chain based in Denver, Colorado, is opening their first Colorado Springs location in February, owned and…

2 industry leaders looking to invest in the 'next restaurant leader'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Dave Pace, board member of Red Robin and former CEO of Jamba Inc., and Andy Pforzheimer, a co-founder of the Barcelona and Bartaco brands, have come together…

Chipotle, Shawn Mendes supporting sustainability efforts with grants

January 15, 2021

Chipotle Mexican Grill is partnering with singer Shawn Mendes and the Shawn Mendes Foundation to launch "Wonder Grants," supporting young innovators in…

Sweetgreen taps digital influencers to push 'fried' chicken LTO

January 14, 2021

Sweetgreen has created a Crispy Chicken Salad, which showcases the flavors of the chicken sandwich — which is all the rage across the industry — while allowing…

Agile QSR Operation in Uncertain Times

Learn how you can leverage AI to increase your business agility through automated demand forecasting, optimized scheduling, healthy worker protocols and…

Outer Banks Boil headed to Florida

January 14, 2021

Outer Banks Boil Company, a takeout and catering franchise that specializes in low-country Carolinian-style seafood boils is headed to Tampa.

Andrew Zimmern's supporting substance-abuse recovery for restaurant workers

January 14, 2021

Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency assistance to foodservice workers, has added a substance abuse recovery initiative and is…

Original ChopShop thrives amid pandemic

January 14, 2021

Despite the challenging operating environment in 2020, Original ChopShop — an emerging fast casual brand serving protein bowls, salads, sandwiches and fresh…

Impulsify, Shift4 partner to expand self-pay retail option

January 14, 2021

Impulsify Inc. and Shift4 Payments are teaming up to integrate Impulsify's self-pay retail technology with Shift4's contactless payments.

Chicken Salad Chick, SoFresh opening Florida locations

January 13, 2021

Auburn, Alabama-based Chicken Salad Chick and Tampa-based SoFresh are expanding in Florida with Chicken Salad Chick opening in Coral Springs and SoFresh…

Muscle Maker adds Philly ghost kitchen, launches 5 concepts

January 13, 2021

Philadelphia now has a second Muscle Maker ghost kitchen, according to Muscle Maker Inc., the parent company of Muscle Maker Grill, Healthy Joe's and MMG…

Private-equity company acquires 10 Wingstops

January 13, 2021

Prospect Capital Restaurants in partnership with an affiliate of Corlex Capital, a minority-owned private equity and consulting firm in Atlanta, has acquired…

Zoup TikTok goes viral

January 13, 2021

Detroit-based Zoup Eatery has gained TikTok fame thanks to Zoup Franchisee Dia Amesto posting a "12 Days of Christmas" parody on the popular social media…

How Tropical Smoothie pulled off record-breaking year during COVID-19

While the pandemic destroyed thousands of restaurants last year, Atlanta-based Tropical Smoothie Cafe had one of its best years to date. It posted its ninth…