Middle East is hotspot for Western fast casuals

The thriving Middle Eastern economy welcomes American restaurants.

Angry Birds crashing into Starbucks?

September 20, 2011

If you're one of the 350 million people that have purchased and played the game "Angry Birds," you may soon be incentivized to make a trip to Starbucks to play…

Jim Mizes named president of FREEBIRDS

September 20, 2011

Jim Mizes has been named the new president for FREEBIRDS World Burrito. Mizes has helped grow several multi-unit food service concepts including Jamba Juice…

Uno's fast casual model inks largest franchise deal in company history

September 20, 2011

In the largest franchise deal in its 68-year history, Uno's has announced plans for the opening of 30 locations of Uno Due Go, its fast casual concept…

CherryBerry inks 35-unit deal

September 20, 2011

At least 35 CherryBerry Self-Serve Yogurt Bars will soon be open in Nebraska. Beautiful Brands International (BBI) announced today the signing of a Master…

Coffee chains ramp up cup recycling efforts

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Starbucks' third annual Cup Summit features Tim Hortons' participation, focuses on existing challenges in achieving 100-percent recycled goal.

Why credit card stystems will always be in scope

by Brad Cyprus — Chief of Security and Compliance, Vendor Safe Technologies

There is a growing trend in the retail industry for some merchants and technology providers to hope that someday the PCI standard will give guidance that says…

Pizza Inn expanding Pie Five Pizza Co. concept

September 19, 2011

Pizza Inn Inc. has announced plans to expand its fast casual concept Pie Five Pizza Co., targeting eight additional new locations in Dallas-Fort Worth over the…

NRA launches pilot program for military families in Texas

September 19, 2011

The National Restaurant Association and the Texas Restaurant Association have partnered for the launch of "Freedom is Sweet!"a fundraising campaign to support…

Former Dunkin' exec named Fazoli's VP of operations

September 19, 2011

Al Hodges, a 30-year foodservice executive, has been appointed vice president of Operations at Fazoli's. Hodges joins the company from Dunkin' Brands, where he…

Starbuck's selling designer T-shirts

September 19, 2011

For $85, Starbucks fans can don a designer T-shirt celebrating the company's 40 years in the coffee business.

Social media management systems strike effective balance

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

September 19, 2011

Having a social media management system has become a necessary tool for restaurant operators trying to sift through the vast and varied customer comments…

BUBBA burger Grill expanding across Florida

September 19, 2011

BUBBA burger has opened two more Original BUBBA burger Grill restaurants in Jacksonville, Fla. One location is in the Point Meadows Shopping Center on the…

Powerful, pervasive digital signage making its way into foodservice

by

September 19, 2011

Digital menu boards are making their way onto restaurant walls at a dizzying pace.

RAMP: Mobile couponing and daily deals

Saiful Khandaker from FreebeePay used the recent mobile payments conference in Chicago to talk about his company's solution for mobile couponing and daily…

RAMP: NFC and mobile loyalty programs

Mohammad Khan, president and founder of ViVOtech, talked about the convenience of combining NFC technology with loyalty programs at the RAMP mobile payments…

Commentary: Predicting fast casual's major contenders

New chains specializing in Mexican, Asian or the better burger concept could be the industry's next leaders.

Breakaway announces POS upgrade

September 18, 2011

Breakaway Restaurant Solutions, provider of automation technology for management of delivery, quick-service and fast casual restaurants, has launched Version…

NPD Group: Restaurant traffic slips slightly in Q2

September 18, 2011

Just as the U.S. economy stalled in the second quarter of the year, so did restaurant industry traffic, according to The NPD Group, a market research company.

Google Wallet now available for consumers

by James Wester

Initial retail partners include Einstein Bros. Bagels and Subway.