Taziki's adds 2 execs to leadership team

August 16, 2023

Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe has added a pair of industry experts to its executive leadership team — Robert Brown, VP of operations, and Lynn Edwards, VP of…

Hawaiian fast casual loses store to wildfires, raises funds for workers

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

L&L's store in Lahaina, Hawaii was lost to flames from the wildfires and its Honokowai location is temporarily closed due to no electricity or water. Nearly 2…

Islands Restaurants creates virtual concept

August 16, 2023

Carlsbad, California-based Islands Restaurants, which has served burgers and tropical drinks in a beach-themed atmosphere for over 40 years, has created…

Webinar: Voice AI helps restaurants drive customer satisfaction, growth

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

August 15, 2023

In an era marked by rapid technological advancement, the intersection of artificial intelligence and customer-centric strategies has emerged as a pivotal…

Noodles & Co adding 2 franchise partners

August 15, 2023

Noodles & Co., which has nearly 500 locations, has added two franchise partners to its network — a result of its strategic plans to expand in the southern…

SparkPlug joins Toast Partner Ecosystem to incentivize restaurant staff

August 15, 2023

SparkPlug, which incentivizes staff through a gamified system that rewards them for customer engagement, is partnering with Toast, a cloud-based, digital…

Panera hires CFO

August 15, 2023

Panera Brands Inc., which includes Panera Bread as well as Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Brands, has hired Paul Carbone as CFO.

Leasecake founder steps down as CEO, takes on CDO role

August 15, 2023

Leasecake, a provider of lease management and lease accounting solutions for the restaurant and retail industries, has promoted Scott Williamson from COO to…

Shake Shack searching for chief avocado officer

August 14, 2023

Shake Shake is searching for its first-ever chief avocado officer who shares its passion and pride for avocados. Published on LinkedIn, and on Instagram…

Smoothie Factory debuts concept focused on healthy food

August 14, 2023

Dallas-based Smoothie Factory, owned by Brix Holdings, has created the Smoothie Factory + Kitchen and will open the first location this fall in North Richland…

Starbucks testing reusable cups in California

August 14, 2023

Starbucks has launched a reusable cup test in 12 Starbucks stores in Napa and Petaluma, California, allowing customers to bring their own cups to fill orders…

Wow Bao doubling down on Walmart partnership

August 14, 2023

After maintaining an e-commerce relationship the Walmart for the past year, Chicago-based Wow Bao is expanding its nationwide presence with the retail giant's…

Yogurtland president steps down, franchise guru joins leadership team

August 14, 2023

Yogurtland president Sam Yoon is stepping away from his day-to-day role to join a non-profit foundation that he and his wife have supported for many years. He…

Kendra Scott, Farmer's Fridge, Bluestone Lane execs discuss technology, training at ICX Summit

August 14, 2023

Tech-savvy customers expect a seamless experience, no matter how they interact with your company, which means employees must have the tools and training they…

Blueprint Cookies launches franchising

August 14, 2023

Blueprint Cookies, a three-unit chain founded in 2019 in South Florida, is offering franchise opportunities to entrepreneurs all over the continental U.S.

Former Jersey Mike's area director returns as VP

August 14, 2023

Jersey Mike's former area director Paul Brodeur is returning to the brand as VP of franchise sales.

Franchisee of Fuzzy's, Newk's adding Bobby's Burgers to portfolio

August 11, 2023

Bobby's Burgers by Bobby Flay is hitting the Colorado scene, thanks to a 10-unit deal with Rogers Restaurant Group, led by father-and-son duo Marc and Zach…

Siblings, friends create Greek fast casual concept

August 11, 2023

Butterflied Chicken, a fast casual chicken concept created by two sister-brother duos, is opening next week in Manhattan to serve the fresh flavors of Greece.

Clean Eatz supplying meals to US military bases

August 11, 2023

Clean Eatz Kitchen, a meal prep franchise, delivered its first international meal shipment last week to Iwakuni, Japan, as part of the franchise's partnership…

3 ways Curry Up Now is cooking up change in fast casual industry

Akash Kapoor, founder of Curry Up Now, discusses how he's disrupting the industry.