Island Fin Poke making Nashville debut

May 18, 2023

The city of Nashville will be home to Florida-based Island Fin Poke Co next week when the chain opens its 26th location and second in Tennessee.

Dig, Urbanbelly using AI to cut food, labor costs

May 18, 2023

New York-based DIG and Chicago-based Urbanbelly is combating labor and food challenges Prep Assistant, a plug-and-play AI system designed by PreciTaste to the…

2023 Fast Casual Perfect Pitch open for nominations

May 18, 2023

As part of its commitment to spotlighting up-and-coming fast casual brands, FastCasual is hosting its ninth annual Perfect Pitch contest Oct. 8 and is…

Famous Toastery names VP of operations

May 17, 2023

Famous Toastery, a 25-unit better brunch franchise brand, has hired Rob Sterioti, the former director of New Restaurant Openings for Mooyah Burgers, Fries and…

Pincho saddling up to Texas

May 17, 2023

Pincho, a Miami-based burger and kebab concept that has 10 locations in South Florida, is hitting Texas when it opens next month in Cypress at 8828 Barker…

Wow Bao's Hot Buns Club accepting members

May 17, 2023

Chicago-based Wow Bao is doubling down on its web3 strategy, launching Digital CollectaBaos to enhance its points-based Bao Bucks loyalty program.

Southern Grounds Coffee taps former Firehouse executive to lead national growth

May 17, 2023

Northeast Florida-based specialty coffee and cafe chain Southern Grounds has hired former Firehouse Subs Vice President of Franchise Development Greg Delks to…

Revel Systems, IPORT partner for POS hardware

May 17, 2023

Revel Systems, a POS and business management solutions firm, has partnered with IPORT, which manufactures stands and enclosures for holding, charging and…

Cola-Cola 'Flexes' dispenser to provide beverage variety

May 17, 2023

The Coca-Cola Flex powered by Freestyle, a beverage dispenser that offers an enhanced guest experience while reducing operational complexity, is now on the…

Rethinking convention and convection with Cadco

By its nature, new technology challenges the way we work and gives us the opportunity to rethink older conventions. To address innovation in the face of…

Former Bonchon CEO takes lead at Shipley Do-Nuts

May 16, 2023

Shipley Do-Nuts has named Flynn Dekker as its CEO. The former CEO of Bonchon, a global franchisor of Korean chicken restaurants with over 420 locations in nine…

Roll-Em-Up Taquitos coming to Louisville

May 16, 2023

Southern California-born Roll-Em-Up Taquitos is opening its first restaurants in the southeastern US, with locations in Louisville, Kentucky and Knoxville…

Former Domino's CFO joins Shake Shack's board of directors

May 16, 2023

Shake Shack Inc. has entered a cooperation agreement with Engaged Capital LLC, an investment adviser, which is also one of the restaurant's largest…

Scooter's Coffee exec: 3 ways to inspire your customers to spend more

Upselling. It's a way to increase your sales without increasing the number of customers you serve. But for a lot of consumers, it's a dirty word that often…

TMAD coming to Colorado Springs

May 15, 2023

Colorado Springs will be home to the latest Teriyaki Madness when it opens a store Friday under the direction of Randy and Charity Stauffacher at 7895 Silicon…

Kura Sushi popping up in Georgia

May 15, 2023

Kura Sushi USA Inc., a technology-enabled restaurant serving cuisine via a revolving sushi service model, opened this weekend at Exchange at Gwinnett, a nearly…

Ike's adding location in downtown LA

May 15, 2023

San Francisco-based Ike's love & Sandwiches is opening May 31 in Los Angeles at 523 W. 6th St.

Milk Jar Cookies launches franchise plans

May 15, 2023

Milk Jar Cookies is expanding to 39 U.S. states via a national franchise program.

Highlights: Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit 2023

This past March, restaurant industry leaders gathered in Miami for the 7th annual Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit.

Fast casual industry growing strong

May 15, 2023

The fast casual restaurant market witll grow from $186.27 billion from 2021 to 2026 at a CAGR of 12.41%, according to a report from Technavio's, which revealed…