MicroSale releases $49-a-month POS system

December 14, 2016

A cheap, tablet-based POS system for small restaurants is now available from MicroSale POS Systems, according to a press release. It comes with an…

Johnny Rockets tests self-order kiosks in moving to a QSR format

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Self-order kiosks play an important role in moving to more of a quick-serve format for Johnny Rockets as the 30-year-old iconic brand seeks to refresh itself.

Vegan fast casual signs 1st franchisee

December 14, 2016

Fala Bar, a vegan fast casual concept with two locations in Los Angeles, has closed its first franchise deal. The franchisee is evaluating trade areas in…

Burrito Beach opens 6th Chicago location

December 13, 2016

Burrito Beach, a fast casual Mexican concept based in Chicago, added to its home base with a new location in Northwestern Memorial Hospital in the Feinberg…

McAlister's Deli seeking Michigan-based franchisees

December 13, 2016

McAlister's Deli is looking for partnerships with experienced multi-unit franchise owners in Michigan, said McAlister's Vice President of Franchise Sales Jeff…

2 studies yield 2016 and 2017 chain winners and losers

December 13, 2016

As the year that was 2016 heads into the history books, year-end awards and year-beginning trend predictions have begun in earnest. For instance, Technomic has…

Wasabi to employees: We like you, we really like you

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

Some of the world's leading brands make their employees their first and most important customer. The UK-based foodservice brand,Wasabi, is making it a priority…

All hail the diehards: Limited-service chains open Christmas

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

News reporters, convenience and retail store employees, first responders and medical personnel are among that committed group of people who rarely get holidays…

Blaze opens 4 multi-national locations Thursday

December 13, 2016

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza is opening three U.S. locations and one in Canada this week, according to a news release. All four sites open Thursday, including: • …

Fully automated Eatsa opens 1st New York City restaurant

December 13, 2016

Eatsa, a fully automated lunch spot that provides healthy meals at the  touch of a button, has opened a restaurant in Midtown, Manhattan, according to Eater…

Captain D's brings back health-conscious menu

December 12, 2016

Captain D's is reintroducing its Captain's D-Lites menu with a number of under-500 calorie offerings, such as the wild Alaskan salmon and the blackend tilapia.

Fazoli's signs Alabama franchise deal

December 12, 2016

Fazoli's has signed an agreement to develop a restaurant in Huntsville, Alabama. The news comes on the heels of another month of strong sales results for the…

Indian fast casual concept rolling across New York

December 12, 2016

The Kati Roll Company has opened in the heart of the East Village, 28 East Second Ave., in New York, and hopes to have 40 others by 2020. The chain, which has…

El Pollo Loco opens 1st Grand Prairie location

December 12, 2016

Citrus-marinated chicken cooked over an open flame grill debuted in Grand Prairie, Texas for the first time, thanks to El Pollo Loco's newest location…

Vapiano opens arms to Disney Paris visitors

December 12, 2016

Much like the fanned-out arms of an old tree at the center of  Vapiano's newest location, the chain itself is on a growth spurt throughout Europe. The most…

Kiosks killing jobs? Current events beg the question, but the facts say otherwise

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Automatic Merchandiser

Several restaurant chains are using kiosks and other technology that allow orders to be placed more rapidly and efficiently. Kiosks are fostering fears about…

Slim Chickens opening in Middle East

December 12, 2016

Slim Chickens will continue the expansion of its fresh chicken concept for the first time outside of the United States through a partnership with Alghanim…

How the election could (and should) change the way restaurants do business

By Mike Lukianoff, Chief Analytics Officer/Fishbowl

Steve Ells named sole CEO of Chipotle

December 12, 2016

Despite a couple of Chipotle board members trying to oust Steve Ells last month from his chair position, the founder of the chain isn’t going anywhere. In…

Restaurant incubator ready for new chef class

December 9, 2016

Smallman Galley, which bills itself as "the nation's first restaurant incubator," has announced that it is accepting applications through the end of the month…