Marco's promotes EVP to COO

February 16, 2017

Marco's has promoted former Executive Vice President of Operations Tony Libardi to the position of COO for the chain. The move brings marketing, employee…

Are wearables the future of dining out?

Wearables in the food industry can increase in-house communication with the entire staff and elevate the customer service experience, giving you an edge over…

Big Easy-based Blaze bites back with gator sausage offering

February 16, 2017

Blaze Fast Fire'd Pizza is opening a New Orleans location this month and is offering free build-your-own pies on Friday, Feb. 17 with a little something local…

Multi-Unit Menu Management Release Saves Time and Improves Consistency for Restaurant Chains

VANCOUVER, BC, — A new release from pizza and delivery point of sale developer SpeedLine Solutions Inc. helps restaurant chains save time and improve brand…

Speedline Solutions debuts new menu management tool

February 15, 2017

Speedline Solutions is debuting a menu management system to help chains create and release a consistent menu for all locations as well as ConnectService, which…

"Say it with Starbucks" debuts in China

February 15, 2017

"Say it with Starbucks," a new mobile gifting feature, launched in China on Weixin, China's primary social media platform, according to a press release.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop opens another Little Rock location

February 15, 2017

Ryan Hamra will open his second Potbelly Sandwich Shop in Little Rock in early 2017 as part of a four-unit franchise deal the Little Rock resident signed with…

Starbucks gets fashionable in Japan with contactless keychain

February 15, 2017

Starbucks' Japanese operations has teamed with a local fashion label in the country to create what's essentially a contactless key chain that coffee lovers can…

Study: Billions wasted on loyalty efforts that bomb

by Sherry Yang

Restaurants invest a lot in loyalty programs, but one massive study just completed by operational strategy company, Accenture, says a lot of that money is…

Fake news on McDonald's and Chipotle stopped in its tracks

February 15, 2017

Fake news is again causing problems for the foodservice industry, this time inolving McDonald's and Chipotle. The event also involved reporters at USA Today…

Slapfish signs international franchising deal with Fransmart

February 14, 2017

Slapfish announced a franchising deal in the U.K. to open 25 units over the next five years, according to a news release.

New restaurant rating system focuses on economic impact

February 14, 2017

Food industry veteran Sara Brito and entrepreneur Jeff Hermanson have collaborated to create a new rating system for all restaurants based on economic impact…

Marco's names COO

February 14, 2017

Marco's Pizza has promoted its EVP of operations and former Burger King executive, Tony Libardi to chief operations officer, a news release said. In the new…

FastCasual's parent company launching FoodTruckOperator.com

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Networld Media Group will launch FoodTruckOperator.com on April 1. It will cover industry trends and news, profile business owners and explore the technologies…

Harris poll yields dim glow for restaurant brands

February 14, 2017

These are not only tumultuous but very partisan times in the U.S., and a Harris Poll indicated that the public perception of foodservice brands often swirls…

The Hummus & Pita Co. expands franchising with Fransmart

February 13, 2017

The Hummus and Pita Co. is partnering with Fransmart to expand the concept beyond its four New York City locations, according to a press release.

The Pie Hole opens first international location in Japan

February 13, 2017

Pie and coffee concept, The Pie Hole, has opened its first international location in Tokyo to tap into the growing Japanese coffee market, a press release…

Franchise focus: How 1 brand is taking poke mainstream

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Pokeworks, which couples high-quality seafood with traditional Hawaiian ingredients, including furikake, hikiki seaweed, mango and macadamia nuts, is expanding…

Noodles & Co closing 55 units, selling stock

February 10, 2017

In an effort to stay afloat, Noodles & Company is closing 55 under-performing company-owned restaurants and has sold $18.5 million in stock, according to a…

How to romance customers out of Valentine's Day dollars

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Coming up with attractive and creative Valentine's Day promos can be a challenge when nearly every restaurant on the planet is competing for the consumer’s…