Blaze Pizza inks deal for Canada expansion

January 16, 2015

The fast-casual pizza chain is targeting Toronto, Edmonton and Calgary for the first locations.

How restaurants are using gamification to increase engagement in loyalty apps

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

Restaurants are discovering the power of leveraging apps, loyalty programs and games to engage customers and drive traffic.

Ziosk tabletop ordering kiosks expand nationwide

January 16, 2015

Ziosk, provider of ordering, entertainment and pay-at-the table tablets, or tabletop kiosks, announced it has successfully installed tablets at restaurants…

Red Book Connect launches ACAdvisor module for HotSchedules

January 16, 2015

The ACAdvisor helps businesses track, manage and monitor ACA employment statuses.

Push is on for paid sick leave

January 16, 2015

The president is backing The Healthy Families Act, which requires employers with 15 or more employees to offer up to a week of paid sick time.

Restaurant sales up, retail sales down in December

January 16, 2015

The restaurant industry posted its eighth consecutive monthly increase and strongest volume ever in December, adding 43,600 jobs.

NRAEF develops first-ever Food And Beverage Service Competency Model

January 16, 2015

The model provides a framework for understanding career opportunities within the industry, and aligns with other industry models to demonstrate common…

Halal Guys ink 50-unit SoCal deal

January 16, 2015

The deal gives the franchisee exclusive rights to San Luis Obispo, Kern and San Bernardino counties, as well as everything south of those markets.

Top 100: Restaurants – Genghis Grill

January 16, 2015

Genghis Grill is number 50 on our list of the 2014 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers: Restaurants.

GE Capital to finance Blast 825° expansion

January 15, 2015

Scottsdale, Arizona-based GE Capital’s Franchise Finance business announced a $7.6 million term loan and $2.0 million revolving credit facility provided to…

PizzaRev inks deal to expand in Boston

January 15, 2015

Los Angeles-based PizzaRev announced an agreement with restaurateurs Marc Phaneuf, Jr. and Marc Phaneuf, Sr. to bring the build-your-own pizza concept to…

Fazoli's franchisees report 12.2% sales increases in December

January 15, 2015

Franchisees were up 12.2 percent year-over-year, and company-owned units were up 8.4 percent in December.

Juice It Up! gears up for aggressive expansion under new VP

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

The California-based juice bar and smoothie concept hired its first-ever VP of Business Development in November, and Laina Sullivan is ready to take it…

Taziki’s earns REAL certification

January 15, 2015

The Mediterranean concept is the first national franchise to earn the certification for nutrition and sustainability.

New year, new units

January 15, 2015

CUPS, Dickeys, Fatburger, Maui Wowi, Chicken Salad Chick, Capriottis, Modmarket, Sushirrito, Hale and Hearty Soups, Mooyah's, Giardino Gourmet Salads, GRILLiT…

5 Best Practices for Finding Your Ideal Labor Budget

Throw away the crystal ball, it’s time to figure out your restaurant’s ideal labor budget once and for all.

HotSchedules Launches New Affordable Care Act Advisor Module

ACAdvisor offers employers real-time reporting to manage statuses, scheduling and labor costs under new health reform laws

California Tortilla heating up Instagram with first-ever campaign

January 15, 2015

California Tortilla launched its first-ever Instagram campaign this month, asking customers to "Show Us Your Hot Sauce Face."

Giardino Gourmet Salads inks 3 unit Nashville deal

January 15, 2015

The salad concept is breaking out of South Florida with its first franchise deal outside the Sunshine State.

Menus aimed at helping diners keep New Year's Resolutions

January 15, 2015

January means resolutions, and fast casual restaurants are highlighting lighter, healthier options for diners.