Canada's restaurant count dropped by 5K in 2020

July 28, 2021

Before the pandemic, Canada's restaurant count held steady at 66,000 units going back to 2016, but then 2020 happened, and the industry lost 5,000 units. That…

Rush Bowls rushing to open 30 units

July 28, 2021

Colorado-based Rush Bowls is set to exceed last year's number of franchise locations opened by nearly three times, with 30 to 50 in development and a plan to…

Luna Grill intros mobile app, upgrades loyalty program

July 28, 2021

Luna Grill, a fast casual chain, has launched an enhanced mobile app and loyalty program called Club Luna. The app features an easier ordering process with…

Pita Mediterranean Street Food opening Florida location with $3 gyros

July 28, 2021

Pita Mediterranean Street Food will make its Florida debut this weekend in Maitland, Florida, where it's offering street gyros for $3, according to a company…

Cold drinks drive Starbucks global growth, CEO defends China

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Overall, Starbucks had a solid Q3, but Johnson defended the company's lower-than-expected numbers in China, calling the health of the business there strong.

Miso Robotics names CTO, expands advisory board

July 27, 2021

Miso Robotics, a provider of automation for the foodservice industry, has named Christopher Kruger as its chief technology officer and announced an expanded…

Island Fin Poké sets sail to North Carolina

July 27, 2021

Island Fin Poké, a fast casual offering Hawaiian style build-your-own poké bowls, will open its first North Carolina location in Charlotte, according to a…

Starbucks, Nestle advance global collaboration strategy

July 27, 2021

Starbucks and Nestle are aiming to bring Starbucks ready-to-drink beverages to Southeast Asia, Oceania and Latin America.

Potbelly continues North Carolina expansion with Cary opening

July 27, 2021

Potbelly Corporation, a fast casual sandwich shop known for its sandwiches, salads, soups and cookies, is opening this week in Cary, North Carolina, according…

RFIS 2021 Sponsor Preview: Cardlytics

Cardlytics is advertising that works 100% of the time; you only pay when a customer is served with an offer and then makes a purchase during the campaign.

Curry Up Now luring multi-unit franchisees with limited-time incentives

July 27, 2021

Keeping the pandemic in mind and with an eye on the future, Curry Up Now is offering a limited-time franchise development incentive that allows multi-unit…

Bar Rescue’s Jon Taffer relays ways to ignite your dine-in 'atmosphere'

In this free webinar, Bar Rescue's Jon Taffer gives restaurateurs the scoop on how what you're playing on your in-store TV monitors affects your bottom line.

Main Squeeze Juice making Florida debut

July 26, 2021

Main Squeeze Juice Co., a Louisiana-based juice and smoothie bar franchise, is heading east to the Sunshine State, opening its latest location in Jacksonville…

Appetize debuts Appetize+ licensing option

July 26, 2021

Appetize is launching a licensing program that will offer businesses an affordable monthly payment plan and up-front capital reduction option, according to a…

Cousins Subs opens 6th location in Chicagoland

July 26, 2021

Cousins Subs has opened a location in Wheeling, Illinois — the company's sixth in the Chicagoland area — at 1048 S. Milwaukee St., according to a company press…

Dickey's adds 63 units in Q2

July 25, 2021

Dallas-based Dickey's Barbecue Pit is continuing to bring its slow-smoked meats to more markets around the globe, opening 63 locations in Q2, three of which…

Restaurants hungry for digital signage

by Kevin Damask — Editor, Digital Signage Today

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, digital signage technology upgrades at drive-thrus were a mixed bag across the fast casual and quick-service restaurant…

Leaders of Spinato's Pizza, King's Pizza Pronto reveal online ordering tips

July 23, 2021

Online ordering has been crucial to the success of Spinato's Pizzeria and Family Kitchen, based in Arizona, as well as West Virginia start-up King's Pizza…

Bellagreen launches loyalty app to drive a more convenient experience

July 23, 2021

Bellagreen launched a loyalty app called "b green Rewards" this week that aims to give customers an easier, faster and more convenient experience while also…

City Barbeque hires Hathway to streamline digital ordering

July 23, 2021

City Barbeque has hired digital ordering producer Hathway to design and build native apps, a custom web ordering site and an integrated marketing site to…