ICX Summit: Brand leaders to share e-commerce excellence insight

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

E-commerce leaders will discuss creating seamless customer experiences at the upcoming Interactive Customer Experience Summit being held in Charlotte, North…

HungerRush boosts restaurant efficiency with Uber Eats integration

August 15, 2024

HungerRush, a point-of-sale software platform for quick-service and fast-casual restaurants, announced Wednesday a new native integration with Uber Eats. The…

Will SocialBites Food Hub reimagine fast casual?

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Featuring multiple restaurant brands, indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, interactive decor, weekly entertainment programming, a full bar, and private event…

Black Rock Coffee accelerates Houston expansion

August 14, 2024

Black Rock Coffee Bar continues to expand its footprint in the Houston area with Saturday's arrival of a location in North Oaks. Located at 4705 FM 1960 Road…

Cicis Pizza leads buffet-style pizza concept with customer-focused tech

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Pizza Marketplace Editor Mandy Detwiler talks to Jeff Hetsel, president of Cicis Pizza, about what makes the company tick, the technology its leveraging for…

Chipotle names Scott Boatright interim CEO

August 14, 2024

After announcing the departure of CEO and Chairman Brian Niccol, Chipotle Mexican Grill appointed COO Scott Boatwright as interim CEO. Niccol, who served as…

Walmart 'Craves' hot dogs, barbecue

August 14, 2024

Charlotte, North Carolina-based Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ is opening within Walmart stores throughout the United States. The first location will be in…

Big Chicken hires former Bojangles exec

August 14, 2024

Shaquille O'Neal-owned Big Chicken, which was No. 1 on the 2024 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers rankings, has hired former Bojangles executive Joshua…

Leasecake Named 'Overall Lease Management Company of the Year' for Second Consecutive Year

PropTech Breakthrough Recognizes Leasecake's Continued Excellence in Real Estate Technology

Starbucks appoints Brian Niccol as CEO, chairman

August 13, 2024

Starbucks has named Brian Niccol as chairman and CEO, replacing Laxman Narasimhan who has stepped down.

Smalls Sliders slides past 300-store mark, expands nationwide

August 13, 2024

Smalls Sliders, the fast-growing cheeseburger slider concept, is rapidly expanding its footprint across the United States. The brand has surpassed the…

Budderfly to create virtual power plants

August 13, 2024

Reducing energy usage can lower restaurants' costs and shrink carbon footprints, which is why Budderfly, an energy-as-a-service provider for franchises, has…

Surcheros entering South Carolina with multi-unit deal

August 12, 2024

Surcheros is expanding into South Carolina thanks to a four-unit deal with franchisee Andrew Powell. The first restaurant will open next month in Columbia's…

Pepper Lunch signs 5-unit deal with former Halal Guys franchisee

August 12, 2024

Pepper Lunch, a Japanese-born fast casual concept with more than 500 locations in 15 countries, has signed an agreement with High Steaks Enterprise to open…

ICX Summit: Future of retail with Steven King

by Daniel Brown — Editor, Networld Media Group

Professor Steven King shares a preview of his upcoming keynote at the ICX Summit in Charlotte on the future of retail. ICX Summit will be hosted by Networld…

7 ways for fast casuals to beat QSRs via convenience

by Meredith Sandland — CEO, Empower Delivery

Meredith Sandland, CEO of Empower Delivery, discusses how fast casuals can leverage its strengths in quality and change the game on convenience

Georgia-based Knuckies opening in Walmart

August 12, 2024

Founded in 2019, Georgia-based Knuckies Franchise Company LLC is opening inside 14 Walmart stores in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee…

Nominations open for FastCasual Top 30 Movers & Shakers in Catering

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

August 12, 2024

Nominations are open for the inaugural Top 30 Movers & Shakers in Catering in partnership with Lunchbox. Closing Sept. 1, the list will highlight the…

Growth plans heating up at Atomic Wings

August 8, 2024

Atomic Wings is experiencing a wave of growth as it heads into the second half of 2024, opening five locations in July and setting the stage for launches in…

Ike's collaborates with NBA star on vegan sandwich

August 8, 2024

Ike's Love & Sandwiches has collaborated with basketball great Mitch Richmond to create a vegan barbecue sandwich, "Mitch The Rock Richmond," a vegan BBQ…