News & Media
Restaurant sales can't stop, won't stop
August 20, 2019
Restaurant sales are still soaring, up more than 4% this year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And that's not the only good news. Restaurant numbers…
read nowSmashburger stirs up leadership team
August 19, 2019
Smashburger, which has nearly 350 global units, has shaken up its leadership team naming a new president and two vice presidents.
read nowFAT Brands continues expansion in Pakistan
August 19, 2019
FAT Brands Inc. has a signed a deal with Crescent Star Foods to open five co-branded Fatburger and Buffalo's Express concepts in Pakistan. The country has one…
read nowFazoli's redesign proves profitable
August 16, 2019
Fazoli's is rolling out a new look that includes communal seating, rich wood tones and artwork highlighting its made-to-order and made-to-share philosophy. The…
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3 ways chefs can offer high-end experiences at a fast casual price
Efi Naon, executive chef and director of operations of Taboon, a fine-dining restaurant in New York City, shares how he offers an elevated experience at his…
read nowHuey Magoo's rolling into Georgia
August 15, 2019
Less than one year after Huey Magoo's revealed plans to expand outside of the Central Florida region into Atlanta, South Florida and Tampa, the chicken chain…
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5 ways training can help prevent sexual harassment in your restaurant
Since 2018, several states have passed new laws that require employers to train their workforce on sexual harassment prevention, but Andrew Rawson, Traliant…
read nowChicken Salad Chick adding to Arkansas portfolio
August 15, 2019
Chicken Salad Chick is expanding in Arkansas with its newest location in Fayetteville. Less than a year after the brand's state debut restaurant in Jonesboro…
read nowConsumers not sure how brands are using data
August 15, 2019
Despite an increased focus on consumer privacy, data security and data protection, more than half of consumers — 65% — weren't sure what brands were using…
read nowSales up at FAT Brands
August 14, 2019
FAT Brands, parent company of Fatburger, reported that system-wide sales increased 26.3% in Q2 but that worldwide same-store sales fell 1.7% during the quarter…
read nowPotbelly Sandwich Shop teams with DoorDash
August 14, 2019
Potbelly Sandwich Shop is now available nationwide on delivery service DoorDash and is celebrating the partnership with a BOGO event.
read nowChipotle paying out cash bonuses
August 14, 2019
Chipotle is paying out $700,000 in cash bonuses to roughly 2,600 employees across 135 restaurants, according to a company spokesperson. If restaurant teams…
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Boloco CEO to Chipotle: 'Why not use the bonus money to raise minimum wage?'
John Pepper, CEO, Boloco, describes why Chipotle should use the money it's paying out in cash bonuses to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour for employees…
read nowBlaze signs deal for 7 stores in Texas, Louisiana
August 14, 2019
Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza signed a multi-unit development deal to grow the brand's Texas presence, including seven new locations of the fast-growing chain in…
read nowTijuana Flats aims to help Florida families eliminate $1M in medical debt
August 13, 2019
Tex-Mex fast casual Tijuana Flats is eliminating more than $1 million in medical debt for more than 1,000 residents and families in the Greater Orlando area.
read nowI Heart Mac & Cheese arrives in Tallahassee this week
August 13, 2019
South Florida-based I Heart Mac & Cheese will open the doors of a Tallahassee location Thursday.
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Key Advantages of a Personalized Restaurant Loyalty Program
Pizza connoisseurs have a lot of options to choose from these days. You might have the best pizza in town, but in this competitive environment, if you aren’t…
read nowThe Dolly Llama to hold grand opening for San Fernando Valley store
August 13, 2019
The Dolly Llama, a Los Angeles-based waffle restaurant, will celebrate the grand opening of its second San Fernando Valley location at Northridge Fashion…
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Why Corner Bakery CMO upgraded supply chain, launched brand refresh
by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
CMO Donna Spangler-Josephson brings a lot to the table at Corner Bakery, including an "operator's point of view," which she honed during her first gig in the…
read nowJollibee adds to Canadian portfolio
August 12, 2019
Philippines-based Jollibee is opening Friday in Alberta, Canada. The restaurant — located at 3803 Calgary Trail N.W., Unit 914, Edmonton — is the chain's fifth…
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