News & Media
Matcha Magic launches nationwide expansion
July 16, 2025
Matcha Magic, a woman and minority-led health-focused matcha cafe, announced a nationwide expansion plan, starting with its first franchise location at…
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California Tortilla celebrating 'Shark Week' with fin hats, freebies
July 16, 2025
California Tortilla is bringing back its popular "Shark Week" promotion, offering customers a complimentary shark fin hat with the purchase of a fish taco. The…
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6 ways Nekter drives loyalty without repetitive discounts
CTO Jon Asher explains why the chain doesn't go all in with heavy discounting.
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Mokas brewing franchising plans
July 15, 2025
Mokas Coffee & Eatery, a 20-year-old cafe owned by JRI Hospitality Group, has unveiled franchise development plans.
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Perkins' fast casual concept opening 46 New Jersey locations
July 15, 2025
Perkins American Food Co. is opening 46 units of its fast casual brand, Perkins Griddle & Go, in New Jersey. The first will open in October 2025 adjacent…
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Keeping the Maine thing the main thing: How 2 'Cousins' built a global brand
In this episode of Founderology: Built to Breakthrough, Sabin Lomac—co-founder of Cousins Maine Lobster—shares how one wild night idea with his cousin Jim…
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Coffee, beer, burger prices inch up; wings, burritos hold steady
by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
Toast's Menu Price Monitor aggregates sales data from approximately 140,000 restaurants on the Toast platform, offering a granular look at menu inflation as of…
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Shake Shack names Jamie Griffin chief people officer
July 14, 2025
Shake Shack has hired Jamie Griffin as chief people officer, effective immediately.
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Why community matters in catering
by Terry Matthews — Managing Partner, Off Premises Growth Academy
Community is crucial for meaningful progress, especially in the catering industry where challenges are unique and a universal playbook is absent. CaterLinked…
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Naf Naf CFO named interim CEO
July 14, 2025
Greg Willman, CEO of Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill, has announced his retirement from the company, effective immediately. Current Chief Financial Officer Grady…
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Starbucks unveils 'Secret Menu' on app
July 14, 2025
Starbucks is officially embracing its long-standing "secret menu" tradition, integrating customized drink creations directly into its mobile app. The coffee…
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Speaker Spotlight: Sherif Mityas, BRIX Holdings CEO
by Bradley Cooper — Editor, ATM Marketplace & Food Truck Operator
Sherif Mityas, CEO of BRIX Holdings Inc., is no stranger to flying high whether in an airplane or in his role. At the Fast Casual Summit, he will discuss how…
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Guzman y Gomez dominates Taco Bell Down Under, eyes US takeover
by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
New Yorker Steven Marks, who opened his fast casual Mexican concept in 2006 in Australia, has grown it to over 250 locations and is ready to take on the U.S.
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Former Papa John's exec named Deliverect president
July 10, 2025
Deliverect, a global food tech SaaS company that processed its 1 billionth order this week, has appointed former Papa John's executive Justin Falciola as its…
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Currito unveiling 6 development deals
July 10, 2025
Currito is expanding nationally thanks to six development deals adding locations in Delaware, Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana.
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Maria Empanada: How Lorena Cantarovici built a fast casual powerhouse
Join Fast Casual Nation hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler as they interview Lorena Cantarovici, founder and CEO of Maria Empanada, who came to the U.S.
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Five Guys opens cloud kitchen in Seattle
July 10, 2025
Five Guys is firing up the grills at Lake Union Eats, a CloudKitchens delivery and takeout hub in Seattle at 1601 Dexter Ave. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 1…
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Smoothie King secures investment from Main Post Partners
July 10, 2025
Smoothie King has landed a minority growth investment from Main Post Partners, a private equity firm specializing in consumer brands, said Wan Kim, CEO and…
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Wagamama taps CEO to fuel US growth
July 9, 2025
Wagamama, a London-born Asian-inspired restaurant chain, has appointed Suk Singh as chief development officer to lead the company's U.S. growth and site…
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Newk's welcomes back Chris Cheek as CDO
July 9, 2025
Chris Cheek is back at Newk's Eatery as chief development officer, a role he previously held from 2014 to 2019, when he helped it double in size.
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