Voice AI delivers more efficient, scalable restaurant operations

As restaurants struggle with labor gaps and operational hurdles created by a shortened staff with increased responsibilities, voice AI solutions can help…

Emeril bringing fast casual coffee shop to New Orleans

June 5, 2023

Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse is opening his first restaurant with Caesars Entertainment — Emeril's Brasserie — a French-inspired restaurant serving…

Salad and Go opens 100th location

June 5, 2023

Arizona-based Salad and Go celebrated the opening of its 100th location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last month in Las Vegas.

Webinar: How to level up your people strategy in 2023

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

June 2, 2023

Restaurants are still touting hiring and retention as their biggest headaches. In a free webinar titled "Three Steps to Level Up Your People Strategy…

Pickleman's launches franchise discounts for vets

June 2, 2023

St. Louis-based Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe, which has 29 locations, is offering veterans a $10,000 discount on franchise fees as well as waiving the initial…

Blaze Pizza launches monthly value special

June 2, 2023

Blaze Pizza is introducing a new "What's Hot" monthly value special at participating locations nationwide, according to a press release.

How Bb.q Chicken maintains consistency amid rapid expansion

Joseph Kim, U.S. CEO of Bb.q Chicken, reveals how he's growing the 2,000-unit South Korean chain in America.

Chicken Salad Chick signs 8-unit agreement for northern Virginia, Washington DC

June 2, 2023

Chicken Salad Chick, which has over 200 locations, has signed an eight-unit agreement for Arlington and Fairfax Counties in Virginia over the next five years.

Velvet Taco dishing out breakfast

June 2, 2023

Dallas-based Velvet Taco, which has 40 locations, is debuting four breakfast tacos in its hometown restaurants.

Mooyah's strong Q1 sets stage for expansion

June 1, 2023

Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes, which has over 90 locations, has spent the first quarter planning to expand through the remainder of 2023. With three…

Coffee consumption continuing post pandemic trajectory

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Coffee consumption will continue to improve for the second straight year following the pandemic. Production was hampered in 2021/2022 by meteorological…

Crisp & Green New York featuring rooftop dining, fitness class

June 1, 2023

Minnesota-based Crisp & Green is bringing its "Living Crisp" movement to NYC when it opens Thursday at 1145 Broadway at a space in Manhattan's NoMad…

Charcuterie concept hires national accounts director to fuel franchise growth

May 31, 2023

Graze Craze, a charcuterie and graze-style fast casual concept, has hired sales veteran Ryan Papillo as director of national accounts. Reporting to Graze Craze…

Lunch customers spending surpasses pre-pandemic levels

May 31, 2023

Lunch is back in a big way, according to Toast's Restaurant Trends Report, which includes Q1 2023 data from selected cohorts of restaurants on its platform…

Wetzel’s creates spinoff with The Culinary Edge

May 31, 2023

Wetzel's Pretzels, specializing in pretzels, hot dogs and lemonade, has tapped The Culinary Edge to help create Twisted by Wetzel's — a spinoff concept…

500-unit coffee house rolls out digital training platform

May 31, 2023

Espresso House, which has 500 cafes in the Nordic countries, needed a training system that was accessible, fun and close to its operations, which is why it…

Panera rolls out nationwide 'Drive-Thru Pick-Up'

May 31, 2023

Panera's Drive-Thru Pick-Up, which combines the ease of the digital ordering experience with the comfort and convenience of the drive-thru window, is available…

PLNT Burger launches 3rd NYC location

May 30, 2023

PLNT Burger, a plant-based, fast casual restaurant concept, is opening its third location in New York City's Bryant Park. Existing NYC locations include Union…

Ike’s Love & Sandwiches opens in Long Beach

May 30, 2023

Ike's Love & Sandwiches, a San Francisco-based brand, has opened inside The Hangar food hall at the Long Beach Exchange at 4150 McGowen St., in Long Beach…

Nick the Greek opens 60th location

May 30, 2023

Nick the Greek, a northern California-based chain serving Greek street food, has opened its 60th restaurant.