Construction costs on the rise: How to mitigate the risk

by Steve Starr — Chief, starrdesign

The current construction climate, especially in the fast casual restaurant world, is very different than even in the pre-recession boom.

CREAM closes record-breaking year

January 27, 2016

CREAM, based in San Francisco with 22 locations, reported that it experienced huge levels of growth in 2015. It more than doubled its brand footprint.

Marble Slab Creamery opens in Mexico City

January 27, 2016

Marble Slab Creamery is going to Mexico City.

Researcher: Loyalty platforms a must for millennials

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Though monetary value is crucial, millennials can incentivized to maintain loyalty participation through other means.

Zaxby's upgrades gift card platform

January 26, 2016

The new system streamlines the reconciliation of gift card activity at the POS, while adding new capabilities, including virtual gifting and mobile offerings.

Fazoli's kicks off franchising open houses

January 26, 2016

The chain is hosting open houses throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia in hopes of attracting franchisees.

Aussi restaurant group achieves 2,500 outlet milestone

January 26, 2016

Retail Food Group, Australia's largest multi-food franchisor, has started the year by commissioning its 2,500th outlet.

Juice It Up! reports strong close to 2015

January 26, 2016

Same-store sales were up 10 percent over the previous quarter.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf names CFO

January 26, 2016

Jeff Harris will oversee all financial functions as well as the supply chain, human resource, risk management and legal teams.

Cowboy Chicken inks Oklahoma City deal

January 26, 2016

Cowboy Chicken has inked a franchise agreement to bring the concept to Oklahoma City and surrounding areas.

PizzaRev announces 30th opening

January 26, 2016

PizzaRev announced that it will open its 30th restaurant next month in California's Inland Empire.

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza to open second Knoxville location

January 26, 2016

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza announced the opening of its second Knoxville location in March.

Lobster clawing its way onto fast casual menus

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Lobster is quickly clawing its way onto limited-service menus as its appearance has doubled over the past 12 months.

Franchising focus: Zoup! CEO talks sales-surge strategy

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Zoup! CEO Eric Ersher gives an inside look at what it takes to run a successful fast casual franchise.

Pie Five to open 8th Chicago-area location

January 25, 2016

Pie Five Pizza announced it will open its eighth Chicago-area store Friday in Oak Lawn.

Tropical Smoothie launching 23 units in Atlanta

January 25, 2016

Tropical Smoothie Café has signed franchise agreements to open 23 locations in the Atlanta market over the next five years.

Free webinar focuses on how IoT can boost guest engagement, revenue

January 22, 2016

Attendees will learn how McDonald's and other chains are boosting campaign performance up to seven times by using mobile data to better target campaigns.

Video: Why fast casual continues to steal casual-dining customers

The fast casual industry has grown by 600 percent over the past 15 years, and that’s because it knows the secret to attracting and keeping customers.

Muscle Maker expanding California presence

January 22, 2016

Muscle Maker Grill is expanding its presence in California with two new locations scheduled to open this year.

Penn Station East Coast Subs expanding Ohio units

January 22, 2016

Penn Station East Coast Subs has signed leases for new restaurants in Dublin and Marion, Ohio.