Food safety expert: 'When that small voice says — "You can't" — tell it to shut up'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Betsy Craig entered the restaurant industry at age 16 and worked as a bar back, grill cook, kitchen prep bartender, bouncer and a sales exec before creating…

Study: Consumers receptive to chatbots

March 30, 2017

A majority of consumers are comfortable talking with a chatbot yet only a fraction have engaged with one, according to the 2017 Mobile Consumer Report from…

Chicken Salad Chick opens another Tennessee location

March 29, 2017

Jackson, Tennessee will be home to a new Chicken Salad Chick location come April 5, according to a press release.

Blaze Pizza 'Keepin It Real' in 2017

March 29, 2017

Blaze Pizza won't have any artificial additives in its menu items as part of its "Keepin' It Real" initiative, which also encourages guests to commit to…

Pupatella expands with four Virginia locations

March 29, 2017

Franchisee Zeeshan Kaba has signed a deal with Pupatella, a Neapolitan pizza concept, to open four locations in Richmond, Virginia, according to a press…

Which Wich CEO, Summit attendees make 10,000 PB&Js for Dallas homeless

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

Attendees at this year's Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit rolled up their sleeves and made more than 10,000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches…

Olea Kiosks introduces drive-thru kiosk for QSR, fast casual restaurants

March 29, 2017

Olea Kiosks has introduced a drive-thru kiosk for the QSR and fast casual industries. The new device has been dubbed the Detroit in honor of the city that made…

Toast partners with Punchh restaurant marketing cloud to improve customer engagement

March 29, 2017

Toast, a restaurant technology platform, has integrated its restaurant POS with the Punchh restaurant marketing cloud to deliver engagement, loyalty and…

Chipotle is lone national brand not using additives or preservatives

March 28, 2017

Chipotle doesn't have any added flavors, colors or preservatives in any of its menu items, and is the only national restaurant brand to not have any, according…

The Chickery adds 20 Middle East locations

March 28, 2017

The Chickery has signed its first franchise deal in the Middle East for 20 locations in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, according to a press release.

Tijuana Flats opens 2nd Sunshine State location

March 28, 2017

St. Augustine, Florida, will be the Tijuana Flats' newest home on April 3, according to a press release.

Pokeatery announces toasty menu addition

March 28, 2017

Pokeatery is debuting its greatest menu item since sliced bread: toasted sliced bread, according to a press release.

Restaurants lead the charge for the cashless future

Although mobile payments are convenient for both employees and customers, transitioning to a cashless operation also presents a new set of challenges.

New system uses data, cameras and sensors to improve restaurant operations

March 28, 2017

Revel Systems is partnering with Dragontail Systems to implement their food preparation process software and machine learning technology in restaurants…

Focus Brands franchisee: 'Focusing on disparities will not advance your career'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Melanie Hoggard is a Focus Brands franchisee with her hands in three concepts — Moe's Southwest Grill, Auntie Anne's Pretzels and Cinnabon.

With 10 million daily food deliveries, Meituan-Dianping a name to know

March 28, 2017

It may be relatively unknown in the Western World, but in 20 of China's biggest cities, the name Meituan-Dianping is as commonly heard as Amazon and Google.

Jersey Mike's Subs makes a big give to charities

March 27, 2017

The 1,200 Jersey Mike's Subs locations will donate all proceeds to charity on March 29 as part of its seventh annual Month of Giving fundraiser, according to a…

Fat Biscuit offers up a free breakfast

March 27, 2017

Fat Biscuit will offer all its Lynnfield, Massachusetts guests a free breakfast on March 30, according to a press release.

Couple expands Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Colorado

March 27, 2017

Craig and Dianne LeMieux, area developers for Tropical Smoothie Café, are leading an initiative to grow the concept in Colorado, specifically targeting Denver…

J. Gumbo franchisor sees significant growth

March 27, 2017

Gumbo Growth LLC has opened three J. Gumbo's locations and plans to open two more, one in April and the other in May, according to a press release.