Restaurant biz down, but not as bad as it looks

October 13, 2017

Ever since Hurricanes Harvey and Irma roared through most of the nation's southern regions, analysts and others have been itching for numbers on the storms…

Kansas City Pie Five franchisee driving sales with food truck

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The truck has helped improve the brand's visibility as well as delivered a new revenue stream.

Miami fast casual deli ready to franchise

October 13, 2017

Hank and Harry's, a South Florida-based New York style deli is offering franchise opportunities nationwide spearheaded by Martin O'Dowd, the chain's VP of…

R Taco adds franchise group in New Mexico

October 13, 2017

R Taco has partnered with JJ&D Enterprises to open four locations in Albuquerque and Las Cruces, New Mexico, over the next four years.   "I stumbled upon…

Wow Bao partners with equity firm to accelerate growth

October 12, 2017

Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Inc. has partnered with a Chicago-based growth equity firm — Valor Equity Partners — to fuel the growth of one of its…

Krave Kobe Burger Grill beefing up expansion plans

October 12, 2017

Krave Kobe Burger Grill is beefing up its national expansion plans. With two locations open in Southern California in Glendora and Newport Beach, the company…

Hansel 'n Griddle expanding franchise program

October 12, 2017

New Jersey's Hansel 'n Griddle is expanding its franchising program to other parts of the northeast.The five-unit chain is targeting university markets and…

Crackheads and Doughballs: Having fun in the fast (casual) lane

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Crackheads and Doughballs — contrary to how they sound — are not insults. They're the names of the two latest fast casual brands dreamed up by James Markham, a…

Why Dairy Queen added virtual reality to training program

Dairy Queen's Kim Brastad discusses the use of virtual reality and gamification in the chain's training program.

Slim Chickens caters to football fans' food demands

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

There may be no greater test of the success of a catering program than a fanatic football fan, who's been guzzling suds and suddenly becomes hungry. Party…

Capriotti's headed to Mexico

October 10, 2017

Capriotti's Sandwich Shop is building a presence in Mexico, according to a company press release. Leading the charge is Jorge Lizan, of Lizan Retail Advisors…

Minneapolis-based mobile delivery service buys out 17 competitors

October 10, 2017

In an effort to consolidate the fragmented restaurant delivery segment, Bite Squad, an online and mobile food ordering and delivery service, has acquired 1…

Football stars opening Gigi's Cupcakes in Austin

October 10, 2017

Gigi's Cupcakes is expanding in Texas with its first location in Austin, set to open in early 2018. University of Texas alumni and NFL star football players…

Illinois mandating food-allergen training, who's next?

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

States are starting to mandate allergen training, but forward-thinking brands are doing it on their own.

Danny Meyer's '60 Minutes' a plug for phasing out tipping?

October 10, 2017

The Restaurant Opportunities Center United applauded Sunday night's "60 Minutes" segment on multi-brand restaurateur and Shake Shack founder, Danny Meyer…

Tropical Smoothie Cafe adds 5 industry vets to leadership team

October 9, 2017

Tropical Smoothie Cafe has added five industry veterans to its corporate leadership team. According to a company press release, they include:

Texas food hall will feature 14 fast casual brands

October 9, 2017

Chef John Tesar is opening his fast casual brand — Knife Burger — inside a food hall early next year in Fort Worth, Texas. Crockett Street Food Hall — which is…

Tijuana Flats opens in Brooksville, Florida

October 9, 2017

Tijuana Flats has opened a restaurant in Brooksville, Florida, marking the seventh store opening this year.   Located at 12320 Cortez Blvd., a half a mile…

The Hummus & Pita Co spreading to Denver

October 9, 2017

The Hummus & Pita Co. has signed a five-unit franchise deal for the Denver market. The company signed the franchise deal with Denver entrepreneur Rachid…

Why the fast casual bubble isn't really bursting

by Juan Martinez — Principal, Profitality Labor Guru

Without a doubt, there are way too many fast casual concepts, but those that make the right changes in order to drive unit economics will continue to thrive.