Chicken Salad Chick opening in Concord, North Carolina

September 8, 2017

Chicken Salad Chick is expanding in North Carolina with its first location in Concord. The restaurant will open Tuesday on Christenbury Parkway, under father…

Garden Fresh names John W. Haywood CEO

September 7, 2017

San Diego's Garden Fresh, parent company of Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes, has tapped longtime restaurant industry leader John W. Haywood to lead the next…

Salads for breakfast? Snappy Salads CEO thinks it's about time

September 7, 2017

Over the past two decades, salads have gone from a side item to having full entree status at lunch and dinner, but breakfast has been one daypart that lettuce…

Melt Shop launches domestic, international franchise program

September 7, 2017

Melt Shop is searching for domestic and international franchiees to add to its eight corporate locations in New York, Philadelphia and Minneapolis.

Why Burrito Beach is investing 'hundreds of thousands of dollars' on remodel

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The six-unit brand has created a fresh new look and feel to adapt to consumers' constantly evolving needs, CEO Greg Schulson told FastCasual.

The future of digital communications in restaurants: Touch, signage, entertainment

With restaurants' constantly changing menu offerings, promotions, FDA regulations, and beyond, digital communication is key as it allows restaurants to quickly…

Noodles & Co taps former Smoothie King VP as EVP of operations

September 7, 2017

Noodles & Company has made Brad West its EVP of operations, giving him the responsibility of overseeing day-to-day restaurant operations, as well as the…

1000 Degrees Neapolitan Pizza fires up Boston

September 7, 2017

1000 Degrees Neapolitan Pizza opened last month in Massachusetts. The unit at 45 Court St., in Boston is the state's first location but is the 28th nationwide.

Chipotle remodels first location

September 7, 2017

Chipotle Mexican Grill reopened its first unit's doors today following a summer-long renovation, according to a press release. The original Chipotle opened in…

Restaurants aiding Hurricane Harvey victims: part 2

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The industry, once again, is proving it’s resilient and will always step up when needed.

How 1 day of free shakes led to a 17% sales bump for Wayback Burgers

September 6, 2017

Giving away shakes on the first day of summer proved a good investment for Wayback Burgers. The 136-unit burger joint reported a 17.22 percent increase in…

Garbanzo streamlines digital customer experience

September 6, 2017

Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh has partnered with two vendors, Paytronix and Olo , to streamline its digital customer experience.

Panda Express opening latest unit in Idaho

September 6, 2017

Panda Express is opening its newest unit Sept.15, in Rexburg, Idaho, giving 20 percent of launch day proceeds to the Grand Teton Council Boy Scouts of Rexburg…

Barilla launching 2 fast casual units in Cali

September 6, 2017

Having already established three restaurants in New York City, Barilla is expanding its fast casual pasta concept to California with two units opening by early…

Zoes Kitchen launches loyalty program, mobile app

September 6, 2017

Zoes Kitchen has launched ZK Rewards — its omnichannel, surprise and delight loyalty program, along with a mobile app. In tandem with the company's newly…

Former Sam's Club CEO takes on COO title at Starbucks

September 6, 2017

Starbucks has appointed Rosalind Brewer as group president and chief operating officer, effective Oct. 2. Brewer, former president and CEO of Sam's Club and…

Mobile ordering powerhouses amp up restaurant visibility among potential customers

September 6, 2017

LevelUp is partnering with fellow restaurant mobile tech business, Onosys, to help restaurants grow their order-ahead sales through channels such as Chase Pay…

Air Canada serving Freshii meals on flights

September 5, 2017

Freshii will serve passegners aboard Air Canada as of Oct. 1. The airline will offer a selection of Freshii's menu items, including its Pangoa Bowl, Fiesta…

Dickey's stretching across New Mexico

September 5, 2017

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is expanding its New Mexico footprint with the addition of a three-store development agreement by Dickey's Colorado franchisees, David…

Queso oozes onto Chipotle menus nationwide

September 5, 2017

After testing its queso at its Next Kitchen in New York City and then at 350 units in Southern California and Colorado, Chipotle Mexican Grill will roll the…