Torchy's Tacos opens 1st Virginia location

December 14, 2021

Torchy's Tacos will open tomorrow in Charlottesville, Virginia. The store will be located at 1951 Swanson Drive and marks Torchy's first Virginia location and…

Philadelphia to require COVID vaccine for indoor dining

December 14, 2021

Philadelphia is the latest city to require proof of vaccination inside dining establishments. Diners will have to show their vaccination card and a government…

Kum & Go transforming into fast casual brand?

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Kum & Go has created a line of freshly prepared sandwiches, grain bowls, pizzas and blended beverages worthy of any fast casual brand, according to Jac…

The Habit Burger Grill adding to SoCal presence

December 14, 2021

The Habit Burger Grill, a California-based fast casual owned by YUM Brands, is opening this week at 20445 Sherman Way in L.A.'s Canoga Park.

Luckin Coffee improves Q3 2021 sales, earnings

December 13, 2021

Luckin Coffee, a pioneer in coffee vending and a competitor to Starbucks in China which recently entered into a restructuring support agreement with…

PappaRoti opens 4th Michigan location

December 13, 2021

PappaRoti has opened its fourth location in Michigan. The coffee shop franchise has opened stores around the United States, including in Illinois and Nebraska…

Teriyaki Madness signs 15-unit deal for San Antonio

December 13, 2021

Teriyaki Madness, a Seattle-style teriyaki shop based in Colorado, is opening in San Antonio following a three-unit deal with Daniel Gifford and Gilberto…

Torchy's Tacos offering on-demand pay to employees

December 13, 2021

Austin-based Torchy's Tacos is providing hourly employees with access to their earned wages as they need. Through a partnership with DailyPay, a provider of…

FAT Brands inks Libya deal to open 10 co-branded locations

December 10, 2021

FAT Brands Inc., the parent company of Fatburger, Johnny Rockets and 13 other restaurant concepts, has signed a deal to open 10 co-branded locations in Libya.

Chicken Salad Chick opens 36th Georgia unit

December 10, 2021

Chicken Salad Chick is opening next week in Tifton, Georgia, marking the state's 36th location. Featuring a drive-thru and patio seating and located at 2202 US…

At least 1 Starbucks to unionize

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

December 10, 2021

Despite a letter sent this week to Starbucks employees from CEO Kevin Johnson reminding them that they were the "heartbeat of this company," workers at the…

Fatburger, Buffalo's Express make Arkansas debut

December 9, 2021

FAT Brands Inc., the parent company of Fatburger, Buffalo's Express, and 13 other restaurant concepts, has opened a co-branded Fatburger and Buffalo's Express…

5 restaurant tech trends here to stay in 2022

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Take a look at five technologies that will still be necessary in 2022.

Fazoli’s, FAT Brands CEOs keynoting RFIS 2022

December 9, 2021

Fazoli's and FAT Brands made headlines last month when their CEOs Carl Howard and Andy Widerhorn, respectively, announced that FAT Brands was acquiring the…

Fast casual concept opens within 'healthy food desert'

December 9, 2021

Greenbar, a healthy fast casual concept committed to serving communities within healthy food deserts, debuted this month in Ft. Washington, Maryland, 35 miles…

Americans won't return to pre-pandemic dining habits

December 9, 2021

Almost two-thirds (64%) of consumers do not plan to return to their pre-pandemic habits of dining in restaurants within the next six months, according to a…

Hoots, Hooters names Marketing VP

December 9, 2021

HOA Brands, the franchisor of Hooters as well as its fast casual brand, Hoots Wings, has promoted Monica Fleury to vice president of brand marketing.

Panera, Tik Toker reveal ugly holiday cups

December 8, 2021

Move over, ugly holiday sweaters, and make room for ugly cups.

Fusian founders launching chicken concept

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Hunny Bee’s is the third restaurant concept for Ohio-based Paceline Restaurant Partners, which also owns the sushi concept, Fusian, and The Wizard of Za, a…

Nextbite launches Asian restaurant

December 8, 2021

Nextbite, a provider of virtual restaurants, has launched its first Asian cuisine brand — Lucky Dragon Fried Rice — a street fare-inspired, delivery-only menu…