News & Media

Lunchbox raises $50M in funding

February 2, 2022

DoorDash, Sweetgreen and &pizza have invested in the company.

Consumer spending, restaurant visits rose in 2021

February 2, 2022

Consumer spending at restaurants grew by 16% in 2021 compared to a year ago when spending declined by 12% and was 2% above the pre-pandemic year ending…

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Miso Robotics announces fundraising round

February 2, 2022

Miso Robotics, a manufacturer of automation solutions for foodservice, has announced a Series E funding round after raising more than $50 million through…

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Starbucks' Q1 miss triggering price increases

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

February 2, 2022

Starbucks is raising prices thanks to high inflation, supply chain issues, COVID-19 resurgences and labor shortages, CEO Kevin Johnson said Tuesday during the…

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Frutta Bowls expanding grocery store concept

February 1, 2022

Frutta Bowls, a WOWorks brand, has expanded its grocery store-within-store locations via multi-unit franchisee partners Curtis High and Jordan Rideout. The…

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Velvet Taco opening 6th Houston unit

February 1, 2022

Dallas-based Velvet Taco is opening its sixth location in the Houston metro area in The Woodlands located at 9120 Gosling Road.

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Kate Hudson launches plant-based smoothies at Bluestone Lane

February 1, 2022

Bluestone Lane, an Australian-inspired coffee brand, is partnering with Inbloom, a holistic nutrition powder and supplement brand founded by actress and…

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Juice It Up squeezes major growth from 2021

February 1, 2022

For Juice It Up, 2021 was the best year in its history as it ended the year with same-store sales up 26.3% over 2020. Total system sales also climbed to a…

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Piada workers receiving instant wages

February 1, 2022

Columbus, Ohio-based Piada Italian Street Food has partnered with DailyPay to provide instant payment access to employees working at its 43 locations.

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Ike's making Hollywood debut

February 1, 2022

Ike's Love & Sandwiches, which has 80 units across the west, is ready for stardom. It's opening this week in Hollywood between Hollywood and Sunset…

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Maple Street Biscuit using app to find employees

February 1, 2022

Jacksonville, Florida-based Maple Street Biscuit Company has accelerated its hiring efforts by rolling out Landed, a mobile app connecting hourly food and…

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Atomic Wings adding drive-thru

February 1, 2022

Atomic Wings, a New York-based franchise with dozens of locations, is unveiling its first drive-thru restaurant in Hagerstown, Maryland.

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The Habit opening 5th Cambodian location

February 1, 2022

The Habit Burger Grill, which was founded 50 years ago in Santa Barbara, California, is opening its fifth location this week in Cambodia in Chamkar Mon, the…

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Chicken Salad Chick ends 2021 on upswing

February 1, 2022

Alabama-based Chicken Salad Chick spent the past year growing, opening over 30 locations and awarding 32 franchise agreements. The chain also celebrated a…

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Panera rolling out contactless dine-in

February 1, 2022

Panera is rolling out contactless dine-in to locations across the United States. The feature in the Panera mobile app allows guests to place orders on their…

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Chinese equity firm gains control of Luckin Coffee

January 31, 2022

Centurium Capital, a private equity investment firm in China, has become the controlling shareholder of Luckin Coffee, having led a consortium to complete a…

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Island Poke hires finance director

January 31, 2022

Island Poke, based in the United Kingdom, has hired Mark Comer as finance director to help open 100 units over the next five years, according to a company…

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Big Chicken expanding through LA County

January 31, 2022

Big Chicken, founded by Shaquille O'Neal, has signed a franchise agreement with chiropractor Pat Khaziran and his business partner and Southern California…

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