Kitchen United attracts heavy-hitters to leadership team

March 6, 2018

Kitchen United — an on-demand startup spun out of the holding company behind Cali Group's Miso Robotics and the first application of facial recognition tech…

Pei Wei to Panda Express: 'Our orange chicken is wei better'

March 6, 2018

In an effort to compete with Panda Express, Pei Wei has launched its Wei Better Orange Chicken made-to-order with fresh, house-cut and battered crispy tempura…

Giada De Laurentiis' latest restaurant mixes fine dining fare with fast casual flair

March 6, 2018

Pronto by Giada, which is chef, author and television personality Giada De Laurentiis’s first fast casual concept, is now open at Caesars Palace Las Vegas. The…

Spring beverage trends going back to the basics

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Embracing spring's trendiest flavors via beverages is one easy way for restaurants to boost check spend. Those trends are a return to historical, more familiar…

Noodles & Co expands employee benefits, adds chief brand ambassador

March 2, 2018

Noodles & Company has upgraded its employee benefits package to include six weeks of fully paid maternity leave, $10,000 in adoption assistance, expanded…

Blaze opens north LA county store

March 2, 2018

A Northeastern Los Angeles County community, Glendora, is home to the latest Blaze Fast Fire'd Pizza.It opened March 1 on South Lone Hill Avenue, a news…

Canada-based Hopscotch adds 3rd unit

March 2, 2018

Ontario-based Hopscotch has opened its third location at 224 Queen St., West in Toronto,  donating all opening proceeds to Toronto Foundation for Student…

Ono Hawaiian BBQ opens 69th location

March 2, 2018

Ono Hawaiian BBQ opened its 69th location today in Inglewood, California, located in Los Angeles County.  "Los Angeles County has always been a very strong…

Chipotle shutters 'better-burger' brand

March 1, 2018

Chipotle is closing its "better-burger" brand, Tasty Made, two years after opening it in Lancaster, Ohio, according to Business Insider.

Technomic: US Restaurant industry to see 'healthy growth' over next 5 years

March 1, 2018

A supplier-focused report released today by Technomic anticipated that the U.S. restaurant industry will grow over the next five years at a "healthy" rate, a…

ZIVELO receives Growth Partner of the Year award from Honeywell

During the Honeywell Grow 2018 Partner Conference last week in Dallas, ZIVELO was presented with the Growth Partner of the Year, Gold award.

'Bo knows' Pork & Mindy's

March 1, 2018

Bo Jackson knows Pork & Mindy's. Jackson, known as one of the world's greatest athletes and also star of a Nike ad campaign in the late '80s and early '90s…

Ichor Restaurant Group CEO: 'Technology touches all aspects of our business'

Jeff Bradbury- Hughes interview with Brian Bailey- Ichor

Habit Burger reports mixed Q4 financial results

March 1, 2018

The Habit Restaurants announced this week that its 4Q revenue increased 15.2 percent to $85.1 million compared to $73.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Starbucks exec takes top spot at El Pollo Loco

March 1, 2018

Former Starbucks executive Bernard Acoca has a new gig as El Pollo Loco's president and CEO. He begins the job March 12, succeeding CEO Steve Sather, who is…

Goodcents signs multi-unit deal for Middle East expansion

February 28, 2018

Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs has signed a master franchise agreement for its first international development. The Kansas-based company struck a deal with Brands…

Georgia's Gusto hoping to add more passion to fast casual fare

February 28, 2018

Dining doesn't usually include a call to action, but at Gusto, a two-unit concept based in Georiga, lunch and dinner are an opportunity for self-expression…

Costa Vida testing full-service, drive-thru unit in Idaho

February 28, 2018

Costa Vida, a 95-unit casual chain known for its fast casual Mexican cuisine, opened a full-service and drive-through location today in Eagle, Idaho, according…

Ahipoki opens 9th restaurant in North Scottsdale, Arizona

February 28, 2018

Ahipoki opened the doors this week to its newest location at 9301 E. Shea Blvd., in Scottsdale, Arizona

Starbucks gives inside look to newest Reserve store in Seattle

Starbucks has opened the doors of its Starbucks Reserve in Seattle, where customers can sample small-lot Starbucks Reserve coffees and Princi food.