Qdoba makes Austin debut via ghost kitchens

September 9, 2022

Qdoba is serving customers in Austin, Texas via the first of two ghost kitchens in a partnership with national ghost kitchen operator Reef Technology.

Scooter's Coffee taps former Papa John's exec to lead digital marketing

September 8, 2022

To advance digital marketing initiatives, Scooter's Coffee has hired Mitch Walden, formerly of Papa John's, AutoZone and O'Reilly Auto Parts, as senior…

Chicken Salad Chick adding Florida location

September 8, 2022

Chicken Salad Chick is opening next week in Fort Myers, Florida, at 7925 Dani Dr., thanks to a deal with Scott and Kendal Pace.

Big Chicken signs 45-unit deal for Florida

September 8, 2022

Big Chicken, founded by basketball Hall of Famer and entrepreneur Shaquille O'Neal, has inked a 45-unit deal with DMD Ventures encompassing Orlando, Tampa…

Slim Chickens takes South Dakota, Iowa

September 8, 2022

Slim Chickens is expanding its presence throughout eastern South Dakota and northwest Iowa via existing franchisee Todd Porter of TNT Chicken.

Free webinar to teach viewers how to recession-proof restaurants

September 8, 2022

It's been a rough couple of years for many restaurants. Between supply and labor shortages, the pandemic and a likely recession, restaurants are feeling the…

Velvet Taco opening 23rd Texas location

September 8, 2022

Dallas-based Velvet Taco is opening its 23rd Texas location next month in Houston's Memorial City, marking its 35th location overall. The store will maximize…

Cafe Rio adding 3 stores in Utah

September 8, 2022

Cafe Rio Mexican Grill, which opened in 1997 in southern Utah, is adding three locations to its home state by year's end.

Panera testing CarPay

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

September 8, 2022

Panera Bread is testing CarPlay in some stores, allowing loyalty members with iPhones to access the Panera app to place an order from their car dashboards.

How to Improve Teamwork in Your Restaurant

Teamwork is vital to increasing efficiency in restaurants. The more your team works together, the more efficient they will be, and the more revenue your…

WaBa Grill's Q2 same-store sales up 2%

September 7, 2022

WaBa Grill has reported that its Q2 same-store sales rose to $43.7 million — up 2.2% from the previous year.

ClusterTruck founder rolls out self-tested delivery platform

September 7, 2022

Chris Baggott and Meredith Sandland have created Empower Delivery, a software company that allows delivery-centric restaurants to profitably and sustainably…

Panera testing AI at the drive-thru

September 7, 2022

Panera Bread is testing AI technology in drive-thru lanes in an effort to improve and enhance the guest experience.

Chipotle teams up with NFL stars to launch LTOs

September 7, 2022

Chipotle Mexican Grill is teaming up with NFL wide receivers CeeDee Lamb, Michael Irvin, Dez Bryant and Drew Pearson to launch a national television commercial…

Chip Cookies bakes up plans for 500 stores in 5 years

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Chip Cookies has 10 units in Utah and Idaho. The brand's leadership plans to open 500 stores in the next five years.

Introducing the 2022 Fast Casual Perfect Pitchers

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Following a global contest, five concepts will compete in The Perfect Pitch at the annual Fast Casual Executive Summit. Here's a sneak peek of the presenters.

6 Tips to Improve Restaurant Efficiency

At the end of 2021, there were 14.5 million people working in the restaurant industry. While this is still 1 million less than the industry’s pre-pandemic…

I Heart Mac and Cheese signs 1st international deal

September 6, 2022

I Heart Mac & Cheese is planting a flag in Ontario, Canada, thanks to an agreement with franchisee Hirad Sorkhab.

Starbird flocks to franchising

September 6, 2022

Starbird has launched a national franchise program to expand to Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Illinois and Florida.

Why limited-menu concepts are the future of franchising

Chris Wyland, chief development oficer, of Roll-Em-Up Taquitos, describes why a limited menu is a recipe for success.