Panera coming in (croissant) clutch

April 30, 2025

Panera Bread is offering a limited-edition "Croissant Clutch," a purse inspired by its Croissant Toast Sandwiches.

Biggby's former CFO promoted to president

April 30, 2025

Biggby Coffee has promoted CFO Erin Kaylor to president.

Kraft Heinz honored for innovation

April 30, 2025

Kraft Heinz has been named to Fast Company's annual list of the world's most innovative companies.

Former Chipotle exec named Sweetgreen COO

April 30, 2025

Sweetgreen has hired Jason Cochran as COO. Effective May, he will oversee Field Operations and Operations Services and Innovation, reporting to co-founder and…

Starbucks CEO, CFO predicting turnaround despite Q2 loss

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Although she admitted that transactions did not meet expectations, CFO Cathy Smith said the company was on the right track with its "Back to Starbucks…

Taylor Wiederhorn named co-CEO of Fat Brands

April 30, 2025

FAT Brands Inc., the parent company of Round Table Pizza, Fatburger, Johnny Rockets and 15 other restaurant concepts, has appointed Taylor Wiederhorn as…

7 Brew hires chief people officer

April 29, 2025

7 Brew, a drive-thru beverage concept, has hired Stephanie Quillen as its first chief people officer.

BurgerBots opens 1st restaurant, ready to expand

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

The entire process takes just 27 seconds per burger.

Chipotle launching digital-gaming experience on Roblox

April 29, 2025

Chipotle Mexican Grill is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with an immersive digital gaming experience, "Ingredient Quest," launching May 5 in the Burrito Builder…

What to do with all this data?

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, ATM Marketplace & Food Truck Operator

What do you do with all that data as a restaurant? The Restaurant Marketing Workshop held from June 2 to 3 in Indianapolis, Indiana plans to tackle that…

Dutch Bros gains, Starbucks holds top spot

by Shira Petrack — Content Manager, Placer.ai

Despite the rapid growth of smaller coffee chains, Starbucks continues to dominate the coffee category, receiving over half of the combined visits to…

Virtual Dining Concepts acquires Empanadas United

April 29, 2025

Virtual Dining Concepts has added Empanadas United, a family founded business serving empanadas, to its portfolio of brands, including Man vs Fries, Pardon My…

Birdcall making Red Rocks debut

April 28, 2025

Birdcall, a Denver-based fast casual, is serving guests at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. Located near the south entrance ramp, it will be open…

How Taco Cabana balances cost, value in inflationary environment

April 28, 2025

Armando Flores, head of Supply Chain at Taco Cabana, discusses how he focuses on strategic sourcing, meaningful partnerships and regional efficiency to keep…

Gong Cha using Line Friends Minini characters to intro new flavor

April 28, 2025

Gong cha, a bubble tea brand with over 240 locations, is featuring Line Friends minini characters on keychains and special-edition minini tumblers to mark the…

Madras Dosa opening at 30 Rock

April 25, 2025

South Indian restaurant Madras Dosa Co. is opening its third New York City location at Rockefeller Center. Opening Friday, the restaurant will serve as the…

Bagel Brands CEO prioritizing efficiency

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

CEO Jessica DePetro discusses egg prices, growth plans and the challenge she issued to her team to deliver a simplified process and execution strategy to…

Houston TX Hot Chicken opening 25th location

April 25, 2025

Houston TX Hot Chicken is opening its 25th location in Texas at 1177 University Dr., in Brazos County's College Station.

Consumer economic uncertainty poses threat to Chipotle growth

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

April 24, 2025

CEO Scott Boatright looks to upgrade back-of-house technology and increase catering sales.

Pepper Lunch CEO: '2024 was transformative'

April 24, 2025

Average unit volume increased 5.4%, and all locations reported same-store sales growth.