The 2021 menu battle: Comfort food vs healthier options

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Menu trends experts from Panera Bread, Buffalo Wild Wings, Luna Grill, Culinary Tides, Qdoba and Pure Green predict the coming year's top menu trends.

Saladworks acquires Garbanzo

December 22, 2020

WOWorks, parent company of Saladworks, has acquired Centennial, Colorado-based Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh as well as Frutta Bowls, a fast casual concept…

Middleby acquires China-based United Foodservice Equipment Group

December 22, 2020

The Middleby Corp. has acquired Zhuhai Guangdong China based United Foodservice Equipment Group, a design, manufacture and supply of counter top commercial…

SoFresh opens Tampa Westshore location

December 21, 2020

Tampa-based SoFresh is opening a store in today in the Town Square Center along Westshore Boulevard, a news release said.

Consumers splurging on catered meals this holiday season

December 21, 2020

The 2020 holiday season may not offer the same gatherings, parties and hoopla of years' past, but diners are making sure it is still filled with amazing food…

Relief is at hand: Legislators OK $900B COVID-era relief package

Legislators have singed a $900 billion deal to provide pandemic-era relief to individuals and businesses, including restaurants nationally.

Mod signs deal for 30 stores in 7 years

December 18, 2020

MOD Super Fast Pizza Holdings LLC has added its 10th franchise partner, DBMC Restaurants, which will develop 30 stores over the next seven years. Its area of…

German Doner Kebab opens 50th unit

December 18, 2020

Based in Glasgow, Scotland, German Doner Kebab has opened its 50th restaurant in the U.K., marking the thirteenth store to open this year and the creation of…

Is your restaurant technology ready for 2021?

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

Restaurateurs learned a lot about the potentially business-saving qualities of restaurant tech in 2020, as the pandemic forced brands to find ways to still…

Mooyah back on top after drastic sales loss

Mooyah President Tony Darden talks about how the chain is thriving depsite losing 40% of sales at the start of COVID-19.

Kona Poke opening express location in Orlando

December 17, 2020

Central Florida-based Kona Poke is opening its first Orlando Kona Poke Express food trailer Saturday at Quantum Leap Winery, 1312 Wilfred Dr.

Toast donating $35M to restaurant recovery

December 17, 2020

Toast POS, a restaurant management platform, is donating $35 million worth of free services and funding as part of a winter restaurant relief plan to support…

Fatburger continues Singapore, California expansion

December 17, 2020

FAT Brands Inc., parent company of Fatburger, Buffalo's Express and seven other restaurant concepts, has opened its fifth co-branded Fatburger and Buffalo's…

NYC soup shop adds cloud-based tech

December 17, 2020

Hale & Hearty Soups, a New York City-based fast casual chain, has tapped Appetize Technologies Inc. to upgrade its point-of-sale operations at all 2…

Noodles & Co testing ravioli, tortelloni

December 17, 2020

Noodles & Co is testing ravioli and tortelloni dishes at 21 locations in Colorado, Illinois and Ohio. "Our new ravioli and tortelloni dishes offer a…

Sweetgreen revving up sales via drive-in concept

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Calling it an "updated, healthy version of the traditional drive-thru," Sweetgreen said the drive-in will feature tech-enabled ordering as well as an…

Modern Market gets 'Honest' about pizza

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Operating out of a Modern Market in Broomfield, Colorado, the delivery-only concept comes from the chefs behind Modern Market, a 26-unit healthy fast casual…

Why fresh-food vending is gaining fast casual market share

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Technology and changing consumer needs are creating an opportunity for fresh-food vending machines, which may prove to be a fierce competitor for fast casuals.

Luckin Coffee paying $180M to settle fraud allegations

December 16, 2020

China-based Luckin Coffee, which was once a major Starbucks competitor and a pioneer in self-service coffee, must pay a $180 million penalty after the U.S.

Freddy's opens 400th location

December 16, 2020

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has opened its milestone 400th location. Located at the Bluhawk Shopping Center in Overland Park, Kansas, the…