Restaurant gift cards sales dip while dollar figure jumps

November 30, 2022

Overall restaurant gift card sales were down nearly 6.8% for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend compared to 2021, but the average dollar amount loaded per card…

Don’t miss this SSIS session: New Markets for Kiosks

November 30, 2022

Kiosks have been around for decades, but a variety of industries are embracing them now more than ever. Brands and retailers are finding that self-service…

Kneaders' loyalty relaunch increases membership by 50%

November 30, 2022

Kneaders, a Utah-based fast casual bakery and cafe chain, has seen a 50% increase in average weekly enrollment in its loyalty program since its relaunch in…

Australian gelato franchise hits Hawaii

November 30, 2022

Gelatissimo, a 65-unit gelato concept based in Sydney, Australia, is offering American entrepreneurs a scoop of its multi-million-dollar franchise model as it…

Chicken Salad Chick debuting in Chicago

November 30, 2022

Chicken Salad Chick will make its Chicago debut when it opens on Dec. 13 at 220 N. Randall Road in Batavia under the direction of Kim and Garrett Seaman of Fox…

The Habit Burger driving traffic in Washington

November 30, 2022

California-based The Habit Burger Grill is opening a drive-thru location next week in Puyallup, Washington, at 10221 156th St. E.

How former Wall Streeter created a 25-unit smoothie brand

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Baya Bar has 25 locations and will double nationally over the next 18 months.

How to reduce in-house calls, increase online orders

November 29, 2022

Labor shortages still plague the restaurant industry post-COVID. The industry is down 750,000 jobs (roughly 6.1% of its workforce) from pre-pandemic levels as…

FAT Brands opens 1st 'tri-branded' unit

November 29, 2022

FAT Brands Inc., which owns 17 restaurant brands, has opened its first tri-branded location — a Fatburger, Buffalo's Express and Hot Dog on a Stick restaurant…

Sweet Paris Creperie making Florida debut

November 29, 2022

Sweet Paris Creperie & Cafe, which serves sweet and savory crepes, waffles, salads and hot drinks, will open its first Florida location under the direction…

Jars opening 2nd Chicago location

November 29, 2022

Jars, a dessert franchise created by celebrity Chef Fabio Viviani, has signed a deal to add a location in its hometown of Chicago.

True Food Kitchen CEO to lead Dutch Bros

November 29, 2022

Dutch Bros Inc. has hired Christine Barone, the former CEO of True Food Kitchen, as president. She'll begin her tenure in Q1 2023 and report to Joth Ricci, who…

From Bakers to Cakers: Why Paris Baguette invests in people

Josh Allen, director of Training and Development at Paris Baguette, discusses how employee growth opportunities are the key to the brand's success.

Celebs Paul Rudd, Michael Strahan, Michael Phelps investing in NY bagel concept

November 29, 2022

New York-based PopupBagels may have started in the kitchen of founder Adam Goldberg, but the three-unit chain is expanding thanks to investments led by…

Korean barbeque concept raises $10M for expansion

November 29, 2022

Cupbop, a fast casual Korean barbeque concept founded in 2013 as a food truck in Salt Lake City, is ready to expand its American footprint. It has 13…

Robeks expanding in California, Kansas

November 29, 2022

Los Angeles-based Robeks, which serves smoothies, juices and acai bowls, will add eight units in Kansas and California via a three-unit agreement for Kansas…

Chipotle partners with ASAP.com for on-demand delivery

November 28, 2022

Chipotle Mexican Grill has tapped ASAP.com, a national on-demand delivery brand, to help the nearly 3,000-unit restaurant chain expand its delivery service.

Wing Zone opens 5th Kentucky store

November 28, 2022

Florida-based Wing Zone has opened its fifth Kentucky location in Louisville at 5210 Dixie Hwy., under the direction of franchisee Adam Wyatt, who opened his…

Fat Boy's Pizza targets Tampa for expansion

November 28, 2022

New Orleans-based Fat Boy's Pizza is targeting franchise expansion in Tampa, Florida. The company plans to open up to 10 locations within the Tampa market…

Chicken Salad Chick opens 6th Indy-based restaurant

November 25, 2022

Alabama-based Chicken Salad Chick has opened its sixth Indianapolis-area eatery in Whitestown at 6065 Perry Worth Road.