Cava enters 2026 with elevated menu

January 5, 2026

Washington D.C.-based Cava has launched its largest menu expansion to date, headlined by the return of white sweet potatoes following a persistent years-long…

Slim Chickens leveraging digital platform to combat childhood hunger

January 5, 2026

Slim Chickens is leveraging its digital platform to combat childhood hunger this month through a new partnership expansion with No Kid Hungry.

Driving traffic in 2026: 4 coffee chain strategies fast casuals should embrace

by Shira Petrack — Content Manager, Placer.ai

Fast casual brands can drive traffic in 2026 without freebies by learning from Scooter's, Starbucks, 7 Brews and Dunkin.

Parlor Doughnuts opens 100th location

January 2, 2026

Parlor Doughnuts reached a company milestone this week with the opening of its 100th location, marking the brand's transition from a regional Indiana shop to a…

2025 in review: FastCasual’s 10 most-read stories

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Top stories centered on major brand pivots, such as Golden Corral rebranding its fast casual concept, and the return of seasonal events like Starbucks' Red Cup…

Capriotti’s expanding Arizona footprint

December 31, 2025

Capriotti's Sandwich Shop will expand its Arizona footprint on Jan. 7 with the opening of a location in the Happy Valley area of Phoenix.

&pizza betting on casino location in Vegas

December 31, 2025

Washington, D.C.-based &pizza will open its first West Coast location at the Rio Hotel & Casino in spring 2026, marking a significant geographic…

7 Brew doubles footprint to 600 units in 2025

December 30, 2025

Drive-thru beverage brand 7 Brew has reached 600 locations nationwide following a year of rapid expansion and strategic leadership changes.

Tiki Taco expanding in 2026

December 30, 2025

Kansas City-based Tiki Taco is concluding a year of significant expansion as it prepares for a major push into the Kansas City suburbs in 2026.

Shake Shack launches 'Good Fit' menu

December 30, 2025

The brand is also highlighting its Gluten-Free Double ShackBurger, which features two patties on a dedicated gluten-free bun, providing 47 grams of protein.

Visibility Is Security: The Compliance Risk of Internal Team Communication

Your biggest security risk isn't external - it's your internal communication. Discover how using personal chat apps for work creates massive compliance risk…

FastCasual extends nomination deadline for '25 Brands to Watch: 2026'

December 29, 2025

Nominations close Jan. 3.

How Onigilly scaled from founder-led concept to a 20-unit franchise pipeline

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Founder and CEO Koji Kanematsu said the brand's corporate locations are expected to generate approximately $2 million in revenue this year.

Del Taco begins growth phase under new ownership

December 29, 2025

Del Taco began operations last week under its new parent company, Yadav Enterprises.

The Legal Liability of Unmonitored Work Group Chats

There comes a point where the informal chat apps that got your business off the ground become a serious liability, creating legal, HR, and financial risks that…

UK's Hero Brands growing via 'creator economy'

December 26, 2025

Hero Brands, the hospitality platform behind German Doner Kebab and Sides, reported steady growth for the 2024 fiscal year as it pivots toward creator-led…

Cold Stone expanding Alabama footprint

December 24, 2025

Cold Stone Creamery is expanding in Birmingham, Alabama, and surrounding suburbs, with the goal of opening three to six stores over the next three years.

Mixue makes American debut in Hollywood

December 23, 2025

Mixue, a Chinese beverage giant known for its ultra-low prices and "Snow King" mascot, has officially entered the American market with the opening of its first…

Barrio Burrito Bar opens in Delaware

December 23, 2025

Canada-born Barrio Burrito Bar has opened in Delaware, marking the latest expansion for the Tex-Mex franchise.

From skies to sandwiches: Former pilot opens Capriotti's

Jonathan Heslop explains why he left his helicopter pilot's job to become a Capriotti’s franchisee in St. Louis.