Focus Brands, Wing Shack, Jamco leaders talk data control, loyalty strategies

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

Regaining control of data is paramount for restaurant brands after two years of data collection being in the hands of third-party delivery partners.

Mutts Cantina breaking ground in Austin

April 27, 2022

Mutts Canine Cantina is building a restaurant in North Austin. Slated to open in the late summer months or early fall, the off-leash dog park with an outdoor…

Sweet Paris relying on female-dominated team to fuel growth

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Allison Chavez, co-founder of Sweet Paris, a Texas-based chain of 11 crepe shops, is ready to grow her concept with a little help from other female leaders.

The Cumin Bowl debuting ghost kitchens

April 26, 2022

The Cumin Bowl, a Chicago-based brand owned by the Cumin Culinary Brands specializing in customizable Indian bowls, is serving diners in the Dallas-Fort Worth…

Quiznos, Taco Del Mar launching in metaverse

April 26, 2022

Rego Restaurant Group, which owns Quiznos and Taco Del Mar, is joining the metaverse, thanks to a June partnership with The NFT Agency to give virtual…

Webinar to explore post pandemic trends in restaurant health, safety

April 26, 2022

Two years after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the restaurant industry, restaurants are recovering thanks to the hard work, determination and resilience of…

Leasecake raises $12M in funding

April 26, 2022

Leasecake, a cloud-based operating system for lease and location management, has raised $12 million led by PeakSpan Capital, a Silicon Valley investment firm…

Everbowl launches smoothie line

April 25, 2022

Southern California-based Everbowl is giving conscious eaters another way to fuel their active lifestyles with a line of four healthy smoothie concoctions.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit adding 8 U.S. locations in May

April 25, 2022

Dickey's Barbecue Pit, a fast casual concept serving Texas-style barbecue, continues to expand with eight planned openings in May, according to a company press…

Hot Chikn Kitchn plans to open 200 locations

April 25, 2022

Hot Chikn Kitchn, a fast casual brand that serves up Nashville-style food kicked up with signature premium sauces, plans to add 200 more locations with…

Texas food delivery company hiring chief taco officer

April 25, 2022

Love tacos? Love driving? Then you may want to apply for a job in Texas that requires a love for tacos and travel.

Taco Del Mar ready to grow with local focus, great food

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Taco Del Mar once had upwards of 300 stores. Now, wth just under 100, and new ownership, the brand is eager to grow with a local focus and great food.

Hot Chikn Kitchn accepting cryptocurrency for franchise fees

April 22, 2022

Hot Chikn Kitchn, a fast casual brand that serves Nashville-style food, plans to open 200 locations by signing several franchise deals over the next three…

Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream reports Q1 sales increase

April 22, 2022

Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream reported sales in Q1 of 2022 increased 4% compared to the year prior and 11% over 2020. In 2021 sales came in 13% over 202…

Chipotle, Rally’s, Noodles & Company execs talk increasing drive-thru experience

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Drive-thru innovation and the customer experience was the focus of a panel discussion at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit held this month in…

Whataburger names chief people officer

April 21, 2022

Whataburger has hired Peggy Rubenzer as SVP and chief people officer. She has over 30 years in the human resources industry, building people teams at True Food…

Which Wich customers hungry for cryptocurrency?

April 21, 2022

Realizing that only one in seven Americans has purchased cryptocurrency, despite significant media attention on the topic, Which Wich Superior Sandwiches wants…

Oath Pizza, &pizza execs will talk hiring issues during virtual event

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

April 21, 2022

Michael Lastoria, co-founder and CEO of &pizza, and Dave Jamieson, director of operations for Oath Pizza, will discuss “Labor Issues and Nouveau Ways to Hire…

Cafe Rio testing curbside

April 21, 2022

Cafe Rio Mexican Grill, which has locations in Utah, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming, has…

Father-daughter duo opening Ike's in Denver

April 21, 2022

San Francisco-based Ike's Love & Sandwiches has signed a lease for its first location in the Denver area, marking the brand's entry into the state of…