News & Media
McAlister's Deli expanding via 'Fast Casual Plus' model
July 30, 2025
McAlister's Deli, which is eyeing New Jersey and the metro New York-area for expansion, is ready to unveil its "Fast Casual Plus" hospitality model featuring a…
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Cava highlights 'values-driven growth' in Impact Report
July 30, 2025
Cava, a Mediterranean fast casual restaurant brand, has released its first Impact Report, detailing how its mission-driven approach has fostered advancements…
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Velvet Taco launches annual WTF taco contest
July 30, 2025
Velvet Taco, a fast casual restaurant known for its globally inspired tacos, has launched its fourth annual WTF (Weekly Taco Feature) Recipe Contest, inviting…
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Starbucks CEO reveals 5-step recovery plan
by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
Despite a 2% decline in global comparable store sales and a 45% year-over-year decrease in EPS, CEO Brian Niccol is spearheading a turnaround strategy…
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ezCater enhances employee meal program with self-serve features
July 30, 2025
ezCater, a food tech platform for workplaces, has launched self-serve features for its employee meal program, Relish by ezCater. The updates aim to provide…
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Criminal charges dropped against Wiederhorn, FAT Brands
by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
July 29, 2025
While the criminal charges brought by the U.S. Department of Justice against Wiederhorn and FAT Brands have been dismissed, the SEC's civil fraud charges are…
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Fat Boy's Pizza, Savvy Sliders bring co-branded unit to Fort Wayne, Indiana
July 29, 2025
Savvy Sliders and Fat Boy's Pizza will open a co-branded unit this fall in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The restaurants, located in a former BurgerFi, are located at…
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Velvet Taco, Salad House, &pizza, Erik's DeliCafe leaders talk online engagement, smart promotions
by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com
Top restaurant leaders share insight on fueling growth through online engagement and smart promotions at the upcoming Fast Casual Executive Summit.
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Corbett's Burgers & Soda Bar franchising Carolinas
July 29, 2025
After honing operations at its five locations in North Carolina, Corbett's Burgers & Soda Bar is expanding its footprint across North and South Carolina…
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Ovation launches tools to sharpen restaurant CX
July 29, 2025
Ovation, a guest experience platform for multi-unit restaurants, has launched several tools to help operators measure, manage and improve guest experience…
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Nominations open for Top 30 Movers & Shakers: Catering
by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
July 28, 2025
Nominations close on Aug. 17
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PopUp Bagels to open 300 stores
July 28, 2025
PopUp Bagels, which launched during the 2020 pandemic in Connecticut, has signed agreements to open 300 franchised locations.
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GoTo Foods launches Moe's Casa Mexicana
July 28, 2025
GoTo Foods is opening Moe's Casa Mexicana — a concept derived from Moe's Southwest Grill in India, thanks to a 45-unit master franchise agreement with Unify…
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Nominations now open for Pizza Marketplace's 'Pizza Brands to Watch 2026' report
July 25, 2025
Pizza Marketplace's annual Pizza Brands to Watch 2026 report will highlight pizza brands of note. The nomination deadline is August 15.
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Speaker Spotlight: Andy Huang, VP/COO, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com
Andy Huang, VP/COO, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue is one of dozens of panelists participating in the upcoming Fast Casual Executive Summit.
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From transaction to loyalty: 3 ways restaurants can own the customer experience
by Li-ran Navon — CEO, Sauce
The most successful restaurants are reclaiming customer connection with three strategies.
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How Starbird, Dillas Quesadillas founders rely on AI
by Sandra Carpenter — Editor, Networld Media Group
Two of this year's Fast Casual Executive Summit panelists, Aaron Noveshen, founder and CEO of Starbird Chicken, and Kyle Gordon, co-founder and CEO of Dillas…
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Shipley Do-Nuts marks 18th quarter of sales growth
July 25, 2025
Shipley Do-Nuts announced Friday its 18th consecutive quarter of positive sales growth in the second quarter of 2025. The company also expanded its footprint…
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Starbird appoints Maria Rivera as CEO
July 23, 2025
California-based Starbird has hired Maria Rivera as CEO, replacing founder Aaron Noveshen, who is transitioning to chairman of the Board, remaining a partner…
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