SOCi's Google My Business integration puts brands where the online search action is

July 19, 2019

SOCi took another step toward providing its clients chains better capabilities to localize messages system-wide. The chain social media management platform…

Why the restaurant industry doesn't support minimum wage hike

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The U.S. House of Representatives approved the bill to nearly double the minimum wage over six years, but it probably won't advance in the Republican-led…

Shake Shack getting down in New Orleans

July 18, 2019

Shake Shack is opening its first Louisiana shack Friday in Metairie, a suburb of New Orleans, according to a company press release. Located at 3501 Veterans…

Slim Chickens receives fat investment

July 18, 2019

Slim Chickens has accepted an investment from Atlanta-based equity investment firm 10 Point Capital. Although terms of the deal were not disclosed, Founder and…

Remodeled Fazoli's units report 12% sales lift

July 18, 2019

It looks like Fazoli's brand reboot is paying off. The chain ended Q2 with 3.9% sales growth and saw a 4.5% increase in franchise sales, with company locations…

Thanx rolls out enhanced mobile ordering, loyalty programs for Pincho, By Chloe

July 17, 2019

Thanx, a San Francisco-based customer engagement firm for retail and restaurants, is upgrading the mobile apps of two fast casual chains — Pincho Factory Inc.…

Upserve teams with OnDeck to speed financing to restaurants

July 17, 2019

Upserve, a restaurant management platform, will provide online financing options from OnDeck, an online lender to small businesses, under a partnership between…

Dig Inn drops the 'Inn'

July 17, 2019

After eight years since it first opened in New York City, Dig Inn has changed its name to Dig, according to Founder Adam Eskin.

Joella's Hot Chicken heats up with expansion plans

July 17, 2019

Louisville-based Joella's Hot Chicken is doubling its footprint, opening nine stores in the Southeast and Midwest by the end of 2019, according to a company…

Cinnaholic on a roll

July 16, 2019

Cinnaholic, which serves plant-based cinnamon rolls, has opened 10 franchises since January and has more than 100 locations in the pipeline. Although it has 3…

How restaurants, former inmates can help one another

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Inspired by "getting his own a break" when he was younger, Brandon Chrostowski founded the Edwins Leadership & Restaurant Institute in 2007, a six-month…

Fast casuals, QSRs leases spike up in Manhattan since 2010

July 16, 2019

Fast casual and quick-service restaurants account for 35% of food and beverage leases in Manhattan, a big spike from 15% in 2010. And that figure is expected…

Starbucks unveils mobile-centric format in Beijing

July 15, 2019

Starbucks has unveiled Starbucks Now, a new format specializing on speed of service, in Beijing. Using the chain's Mobile Order & Pay and Starbucks…

Blaze launching crust for keto dieters

July 15, 2019

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza is hoping to attract health-concsious customers by launching a cauliflower crust as well as a ketogenic-approved crust, which contains…

Grubhub calls Schumer's 'fake fee' accusations 'flagrantly inaccurate'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

July 15, 2019

Grubhub isn't backing down from New York Sen. Chuck Schumer's accusations that it has been charging delivery fees to New York restaurants for orders that…

Maine's Aroma Joe's committed to becoming a major coffee chain

July 12, 2019

Aroma Joe's, a 65-unit coffee chain based in Portland, Maine, is hoping its growth rate is as strong as the coffee it serves. Founded in 2000, by four cousins…

Pieology: How a Navy Seal + vegan pies can build a better pizza brand

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

Leadership at Pieology sees the same kind of clear skies in the brand's future that its Southern California home is known for, and on this week's podcast, CMO…

Former Subway exec tasked with growing Quiznos, Taco Del Mar

July 11, 2019

After hiring a new CEO in January to help revitalize its Quiznos and Taco Del Mar brands, Rego Restaurant Group announced today that it has tapped former…

Synergysuite receives $6M to support growth

July 11, 2019

Synergysuite, which provides a cloud-based restaurant management platform, has received $6 million in Series A funding to accelerate growth in the U.S. market…

College students transform late-night cravings into on-campus NYC street food business

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Chick-N-Bap founder Sung Kim and COO Christian KO are working to make their business a staple on college campuses.