Portillo's sees net income rise despite traffic dip

August 5, 2025

Portillo's Inc. reported a 17.7% increase in net income for Q2 despite facing a tough traffic environment, Michael Osanloo, president and CEO, said in a…

Michelin‑starred restaurateur bets on fast casual tacos brand

August 4, 2025

Lola's Taco Bar is set to open its first location in suburban Detroit in September, blending high-end culinary expertise with fast-service efficiency, thanks…

Zaxbys debuts ghost kitchen in Dallas

August 4, 2025

Zaxbys has opened its first-ever ghost kitchen in Dallas. The delivery-only location, powered by CloudKitchens, is near the Design District at 921 W Commerce…

Birdcall flocks to Boise with 1st franchise deal

August 4, 2025

Denver-based craft chicken chain Birdcall has signed its inaugural franchise agreement, bringing five restaurants to Boise's Treasure Valley.

Modern Food Compliance for Restaurants Made Easy

Label smarter, serve safer, and improve efficiency with linerless label solutions.

Presented by Star Micronics America

Smalls Sliders to enter Tennessee

August 4, 2025

Smalls Sliders has inked its first deal for Tennessee. The multi-unit agreement will bring for units to the Knoxville metro region, according to a press…

Star Micronics leads the way in smart labeling for growing restaurants

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Smart labeling is a necessity in today's restaurants. Learn how Star Micronics is leading the charge in labeling technology.

Zaxby’s Joins CloudKitchens - 921 W Commerce St to Continue Growth in Dallas, TX

Zaxby’s, the fan-favorite fast-casual brand known for its Chicken Fingerz™, Signature Sandwiches, and iconic Zax Sauce®, has officially opened its first-ever…

Speaker Spotlight: Steve Felson, The Buona Companies Sr. VP, Operations & Training

August 1, 2025

The Buona Companies Sr. Vice President, Operations and Training Steve Felson will be sharing insight on the "Executive Perspectives: Inspiration for Today’s…

Labor Forecasting 2.0: Predicting Future Demand and Staffing for Efficient Growth with AI

Labor is your most significant controllable cost—but leveraging labor as a growth driver is more complex than ever. Enter labor forecasting 2.0: an AI-driven…

Presented by Deputy Corporation

SoundHound AI, Acrelec partner on voice-enabled drive-thrus

July 31, 2025

SoundHound AI and Acrelec are partnering to bring advanced, voice-enabled drive-thru systems to restaurants worldwide by integrating SoundHound's Dynamic…

How Shake Shack CEO is tackling 3 industry challenges

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

To drive traffic in a "value-oriented market," Shake Shack is moving beyond its traditional word-of-mouth marketing. The company has embarked on a paid media…

How Dig Inn maintains quality at scale: A CMO's Guide to brand, loyalty, AI

Dig Inn CMO Jessica Serrano reveals how the chef-driven fast casual chain rebuilt its brand identity, scaled from Manhattan to suburban markets and leveraged…

Toast unveils handheld POS with cellular capabilities

July 31, 2025

Toast has released Toast Go 3, a handheld point-of-sale device, designed to enhance speed and service for restaurants operating in diverse environments. The…

Little Details, Big Impression — How to Impress In-Person Guests

As in-person dining continues to rebound, guests are walking through your doors with higher expectations than ever. They’re not just judging the food — they’re…

McAlister's Deli expanding via 'Fast Casual Plus' model

July 30, 2025

McAlister's Deli, which is eyeing New Jersey and the metro New York-area for expansion, is ready to unveil its "Fast Casual Plus" hospitality model featuring a…

Cava highlights 'values-driven growth' in Impact Report

July 30, 2025

Cava, a Mediterranean fast casual restaurant brand, has released its first Impact Report, detailing how its mission-driven approach has fostered advancements…

Velvet Taco launches annual WTF taco contest

July 30, 2025

Velvet Taco, a fast casual restaurant known for its globally inspired tacos, has launched its fourth annual WTF (Weekly Taco Feature) Recipe Contest, inviting…

Starbucks CEO reveals 5-step recovery plan

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Despite a 2% decline in global comparable store sales and a 45% year-over-year decrease in EPS, CEO Brian Niccol is spearheading a turnaround strategy…

ezCater enhances employee meal program with self-serve features

July 30, 2025

ezCater, a food tech platform for workplaces, has launched self-serve features for its employee meal program, Relish by ezCater. The updates aim to provide…