Wonder-owned Grubhub launches ChatGPT ordering integration

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

June 19, 2026

In an effort to capture customers using AI platforms for daily digital discovery, Grubhub has launched an integration with OpenAI's ChatGPT, allowing users to…

Tord Olav Dønnum on the future of autonomous foodservice

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Tord Olav Dønnum discusses how robotics, automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping foodservice operations and how autonomous kitchens can help…

No pickle butts: How Love & Honey Fried Chicken built a scalable brand

Laura Lyons, co-founder & CEO, Love & Honey Franchise Company, explains how the brand's systems, obsession over details and training are helping the five-unit…

Wonder, Dave’s Hot Chicken Real Estate VPs reveal growth strategies

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Real estate strategy is central to growth for restaurant brands, and Wonder and Dave's Hot Chicken are taking different approaches to scale. In a podcast…

Shipley Donuts signs 3-unit franchise deal in Ohio

June 19, 2026

Shipley Donuts is expanding into Ohio through a three-unit franchise agreement with Koelache Co. LLC, marking the Houston-based doughnut chain's entry into the…

JINYA Holdings launches Japanese bakery concept in Southern California

June 19, 2026

JINYA Holdings is expanding beyond ramen and robata with the launch of Mikan bakery & more, a Japanese-style bakery and beverage concept scheduled to…

Insomnia Cookies celebrating release of 'Supergirl' with LTOs

June 18, 2026

Insomnia Cookies is bringing some serious girl power to its menu this summer.

Understaffing top stressor for restaurant workers, study finds

June 18, 2026

Understaffing ranks as the top stressor for restaurant workers, according to a recurring industry report released by 7shifts, an HR platform for restaurant…

Bahama Buck’s partners with Qu to upgrade POS, operations platform

June 18, 2026

Bahama Buck's has selected Qu to overhaul its technology infrastructure as the shaved-ice franchise continues national expansion.

Lost Borough Ice Cream to open 2nd New York shop in Inwood

June 18, 2026

Lost Borough Ice Cream will open its second location in New York on July 7 at 4791 Bradway, in Manhattan's Inwood neighborhood.

Deliverect, 5&5 partner to scale restaurant technology

June 17, 2026

Deliverect, a global restaurant technology company, has partnered with digital platform management company 5&5 to help restaurant brands scale and manage…

'Going Live with Fast Casual Nation and Shake Shack:' Inside 'Project Catalyst' and what comes next

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

We are not talking about transformation in theory. We are talking about what it looks like inside a brand that is actively doing the work.

Starbucks debuts Blue Coconut beverages tied to Water.org donation campaign

June 17, 2026

Seattle-based Starbucks has introduced two summer beverages: the Blue Coconut Refresher and Iced Blue Coconut Matcha. Connected with the cold drinks are a…

Huey Magoo’s expands in Texas with 5-unit DFW development agreement

June 17, 2026

Huey Magoo's continues its Texas expansion with a five-unit development agreement covering the Dallas-Fort Worth area, part of the fast-casual chicken chain's…

Ziggi's tunes into summer with AEG concert promo

June 16, 2026

Colorado-based Ziggi's Coffee is tuning into the summer season through a partnership with live entertainment company AEG Presents, launching the "Ziggi's…

How Jae Kim is Scaling Chi’Lantro

Jae Kim emptied his $30,000 in savings and maxed out his credit cards to launch a Korean food truck in Austin in 2010. Now he is leading 13 Chi'Lantro…

The Great Greek expands international footprint in Australia, Canada and Egypt

June 16, 2026

The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill continues to grow its international presence with restaurant openings in Australia, Canada and Egypt. The news follows a…

Kea-Thanx integration rewards phone-order customers, gives restaurants more data

June 16, 2026

Restaurant loyalty platform Thanx has integrated with Kea, an AI-powered phone-ordering system, to help restaurants reward customers who place orders by phone…

Yum sells Pizza Hut operations to private equity firm

June 16, 2026

Yum CEO Chris Turner described Pizza Hut as one of the restaurant industry's most recognizable brands and said the company believes LongRange is…

Buffalo Wild Wings launches 'Go' unit in Ohio

June 15, 2026

Buffalo Wild Wings is expanding its footprint in central Ohio this weekend with the opening of its first Columbus-area "Go" location, a takeout- and…