Coolgreens debuts in Orlando

January 29, 2021

Coolgreens, a healthy lifestyle eatery is opening its first virtual kitchen. Located in a multi-functional shared kitchen facility in central Orlando, the…

Muscle Maker expands on its brands

January 29, 2021

Muscle Maker Inc. — the parent company of Muscle Maker Grill, Healthy Joe's and MMG Burger Bar — has added Burger Joe's to its non-traditional portfolio. The…

I Heart Mac & Cheese launches ad campaign

January 29, 2021

I Heart Mac & Cheese has launched its "Build Your Happy" ad campaign, in conjunction with Boca Raton, Florida-based Greau Creative. The national promotion…

Lobster returning to Quiznos

January 29, 2021

Quiznos is diving into the new year as two limited-time offerings featuring lobster and seafood salad hit the menu. The Lobster Classic is back, and a new sub…

Women's group, Tito's launch mental health assistance for restaurant workers

January 29, 2021

Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, which provides scholarships to women to advance their careers in the food, wine, spirits, beer and hospitality…

Can Everytable's new franchise model cut racial inequality?

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Everytable CEO Sam Polk discusses how his latest operations idea — the Social Equity Franchise —removes barriers to business ownership for Black and Latinx…

Slim Chickens sales rose 35% in 2020, looks to continued growth in 2021

January 28, 2021

Slim Chickens plans to launch more than 50 restaurants this year in various states including Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, New Jersey and…

SOCi intros listening tool for online conversations

January 28, 2021

SOCi Inc., a marketing platform provider, has introduced its Listening solution. With this tool, end users with multi-location businesses can discover user…

Chipotle testing carside pickup in California

January 28, 2021

Chipotle fans in California are the test bed for a carside pickup pilot test happening at 29 restaurants.

Capriotti’s, REEF's partner on Baltimore’s first ghost kitchen

January 28, 2021

Sandwich chain Capriotti's Sandwich Shop is partnering with REEF's Neighborhood Kitchens, known for transforming underutilized urban spaces into neighborhood…

Noodles & Co chef's go-to: Innovation with a pinch of tradition

Nick Graff, executive chef of Noodles & Company, discusses when it's necessary to re-invent the wheel, or in his case, the noodle.

Noodles & Co debuts cauliflower gnocchi

January 28, 2021

Noodles & Co has added two cauliflower gnocchi dishes to its menu: Cauliflower Gnocchi Rosa and Cauliflower Gnocchi with Roasted Garlic Cream, according to…

Firehouse Subs debuting sub for 'brinner'

January 28, 2021

Firehouse Subs is starting the new year with a twist on a best-selling menu item by introducing the Everything Hook & Ladder. Inspired by the classic…

Former Bareburger CMO launches NotGrubhub

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

January 27, 2021

Former NYC restaurant operators have launched a website to drive guests to restaurants only offering first-party ordering.

Digital ordering, drive-thru and carry-out help drive growth for restaurant industry

January 27, 2021

Throughout 2020, U.S. restaurants demonstrated resiliency against a variety of issues and rose from a 35% traffic decline in April to a 11% visit decrease in…

DoorDash restaurant grant program open to applicants

January 27, 2021

Restaurants in select U.S. states and Canada provinces, seeking relief due to the devastating business impact of COVID-19, can now apply to DoorDash's…

PepsiCo teams with Beyond Meat on plant-based protein snacks and beverages

January 27, 2021

PepsiCo Inc. and Beyond Meat Inc. have formed The PLANeT Partnership, LLC, a joint venture to develop, produce and market snack and beverage products made from…

Surge in delivery orders leads to increased revenues at BurgerFi

January 27, 2021

Despite operating during a pandemic, BurgerFi International Inc., which went public last month, reported that Q4 total revenue was slightly higher than the…

Cinnabon, McAlister's parent names tech leader to board

January 27, 2021

Focus Brands, the parent company of Cinnabon, McAlisters, Jamba and several other limited-service brands, has named digital transformation executive, Gurmeet…

Starbucks on slow path to recovery, COO stepping down

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Although sales fell short of Wall Street's expectations, Q1 earnings of 61 cents per share topped estimates of 55 cents per share but declined 22.8…