Chipotle embracing hot honey trend

March 6, 2025

Chipotle is putting its spin on hot honey, the top menu trend of the year, with its Chipotle Honey Chicken, available to rewards members via the Chipotle app…

Einstein Bros drops country song honoring breakfast sandwich

March 5, 2025

Einstein Bros.Bagels is honoring its latest LTO, the Country Bagels & Gravy Egg Sandwich, with its first single and music video, "Forget the Fork." The…

Women in the Lead 2025: Spotlighting 21 fast casual leaders

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Designated by the National Women's History Alliance, this year's theme is "Moving Forward Together," spotlighting "women educating and inspiring generations.…

Famous Dave's rolls out prototype for non-traditional spaces

March 5, 2025

Famous Dave's has launched a more streamlined, cost-effective prototype for franchise partners and guests. Initially tested in Arizona, the model is designed…

Jeff's Bagel Run opening in Colorado, Tennessee, Florida

March 5, 2025

Jeff's Bagel Run is expanding in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Knoxville, Tennessee, and Melbourne, Florida, thanks to three franchise agreements.

How Spagato turned equipment challenges into sweet success

by Sasha Staton — Marketing Director, Parker Stark

The gelato, which looks like spaghetti, has garnered a lot of social media attention.

Starbird expanding to Utah, Illinois

March 4, 2025

Starbird has signed two franchise development agreements to bring five locations to Salt Lake City, Utah and five to Chicago, with the first openings…

Ellis Winstanley joins Founderology to discuss scaling success through innovation, leadership

On this episode of Founderology - Built to Breakthrough, Kathleen Wood chats with Ellis Winstanley about his entrepreneurial journey through the hospitality…

Big Chicken joins Craveworthy Brands

March 4, 2025

Craveworthy Brands will become a managing partner, investor and stakeholder of Big Chicken, founded by Hall of Fame basketball player, Shaquille O'Neal…

Shake Shack heightens partnership with Delta

March 4, 2025

Shake Shack burgers are now available on Delta First Class flights over 900 miles out of Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia and Seattle as the…

Potbelly launches area developer incentive program

March 4, 2025

Potbelly Corp. has launched its 50/50 Large Area Developer Incentive Program designed to reward multi-unit operating partners developing and opening shops on…

9 catering trends revealed

by Terry Matthews — Managing Partner, Off Premises Growth Academy

Sometimes, when I'm walking my dog, working out, or even dreaming, I start thinking about catering. I think about catering a lot. Like Sisyphus pushing that…

Pita Pit expanding to Montana

March 3, 2025

Pita Pit USA is opening in Belgrade, Montana, under the direction of franchisee Bruce Foreman, a fourth-generation Montanan, who is turning a lifelong dream…

Speaker Spotlight: William DiPaola, president, The Lime Truck

William, DiPaola, president of The Lime Truck, shares a look at his career, his achievements and industry trends ahead of his appearance at Restaurant…

Pokeworks dives into Texas expansion

February 27, 2025

Pokeworks is expanding in Texas with an opening in May in Mission, under the direction of Agustin Guzman, an Olympic swimmer who moved to the U.S. from Mexico…

Wings and Rings franchising fast-casual concept

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

The idea for Noble Chicken began in 2019 as an entry into a local wing competition in Cincinnati.

Dickey's sausage available in 400 grocery stores

February 27, 2025

Dickey's and Rancher's Premium Sausages are now available in over 400 grocery outlets. Consumers may purchase Dickey's Original and Spicy Cheddar Links…

How Big Chicken is changing the franchise business

Big Chicken's Sam Stanovich stops by the Fast Casual Nation podcast to discuss how AI is changing franchise operations.

Cava doubles earnings, misses expectations

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 26, 2025

Cava reported Q4 earnings of 5 cents per share Tuesday, which was twice as high as last year but it fell short of the 7 cents on revenue of $223.3 million…

Tariffs...no tariffs: What’s a restaurant business to do?

by Phil Kafarakis — President & CEO, IFMA Food Away from Home Association

Even without imposed tariffs, it seems very likely that food prices will soar beyond the current accelerated levels. We clearly see that those prices are…