New beans land at Caribou Coffee

January 29, 2013

Caribou Coffee Company has launched two new whole bean coffees: Colombia Cosecha de Oro and Traveler's Roast. These new light and medium roasts, respectively…

Catering company ramps up momentum with expanded restaurant network

January 29, 2013

Phoodeez, a Boston-based company that specializes in partnering with those in need of catering with restaurants, has launched its Frequent Phoodeez program and…

Demand for chicken wings flying high on Super Bowl Sunday

Americans will eat more than 1.23 billion wing portions during Super Bowl weekend.

Mobile printer helps with line busting

Star's Jon Levin explains to Cherryh Butler, editor of fastcasual.com, how its new series of mobile printers can help retail and restaurant staff quickly…

Starbucks still feeling a buzz from mobile payments

by James Wester — Editor 1, Mobile Payments Today

January 28, 2013

Two years after it launched its payment app, Starbucks remains the unchallenged leader in mobile payments. From just about any perspective, from use frequency…

Quiznos plans aggressive expansion in Mexico

January 28, 2013

Quiznos has partnered with Mexico City-based Quizmex SA DE CV to open more than 150 restaurants in Mexico throughout the next 10 years, including five in…

Elevation Burger joins Organic Trade Association

January 28, 2013

Elevation Burger, a 35-unit chain known for its organic, grass-fed and free-range burgers, has joined the Organic Trade Association, a business association…

Facebook's Graph finds restaurant ‘Likes’ but falls short of authentic endorsements

by Jitendra Gupta — Mobile CRM Director, Punchh

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently announced the company was refining its search feature dubbed Graph, a tool it heralded as particularly good for finding…

Veggie Grill raises $20M to double locations

January 28, 2013

Santa Monica-based Veggie Grill has completed its fourth successful round of equity funding, supporting its continuing rapid expansion. Armed with 16 percent…

Top 100: Fast casual trends - No. 4

January 28, 2013

No. 4: Local sourcing

Smashburger debuts restaurant makeover

The chain celebrated its 200th opening this month by debuting a new interior design.

Study: Effective customer service comes from kindness, not speed

January 25, 2013

Global companies seeking ways to provide a differentiated customer experience should focus on the power of emotion, according to a new study from…

Chipotle testing tofu

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

January 25, 2013

Chipotle is introducing a menu item in hopes of pleasing its vegetarian and vegan guests. "Sofritas," a tofu-based protein, said the chain's marketing…

Breadcrumb launches 'better' iPad POS hardware protection for restaurants

January 25, 2013

Breadcrumb, a division of Groupon, has launched a comprehensive overnight emergency parts replacement service and extended warranty plan for restaurants and…

OLO receives $5M in funding thanks to mobile ordering growth

January 25, 2013

OLO, a digital commerce engine for restaurants, announced a $5 million dollar Series B financing from PayPal and existing investors. The New York-based company…

Firehouse CEO Don Fox to keynote NFSCC

January 25, 2013

Firehouse CEO Don Fox will keynote The National Food Service Security Council Aug. 4-7 in Las Vegas.

Starbucks announces profitable Q1

January 24, 2013

Starbucks Corp. today reported during an investor relations call that the company ended Q1 with strong comparable store sales growth in the U.S. and Americas…

A forgotten key strategy in avoiding menu price increases

Including loss prevention in your strategies to counter higher costs may give you a competitive advantage, and add 3 to 5 percent to the top line.

McAlister's Frank Paci planning for growth in 2013

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

High-quality food and service have propelled the brand's growth.

Top 100: Fast casual trends - No. 2

January 24, 2013

No.2: Social media