&Pizza CEO: 'Now is the right time for hourly wage increase'

&Pizza CEO Michael Lastoria, who disagrees with the National Restaurant Association's stance against raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, said…

El Pollo Loco multi-unit franchisees adding locations

February 16, 2021

El Pollo Loco Inc. has signed development agreements with two existing franchisees in Louisiana and Southern California.

Chipotle enhances virtual training for employees

February 16, 2021

Chipotle Mexican Grill has enhanced its remote employee learning and personal development offerings to include Udemy for Business, an online educational…

Restaurant operators: 'Not the right time for wage boost'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 16, 2021

Leaders of Dickey's Barbecue, Firehouse Subs, Mooyah, Famous Toastery and Teriyaki Madness discuss when and if it's time to raise the federal minimum wage to…

Buyers Edge Platform acquires RestaurantLink

February 15, 2021

Buyers Edge Platform, a digital procurement network for the foodservice industry, has acquired RestaurantLink's group purchasing and beverage consulting…

Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores to rebrand as US Foods Chef’s Stores

February 15, 2021

Effective March 1, Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores will be rebranded as US Foods Chef's Stores, as a result of US Foods acquiring Smart Foodservice…

NY restaurant workers eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

February 15, 2021

New York restaurant employees, as well as Uber drivers in the state, are eligible to receive COVID-19 vacinnations even if the county in which they work hasn't…

National CineMedia partners with Ziosk for restaurant DOOH

February 15, 2021

National CineMedia, a cinema advertising network, has partnered with Ziosk, a restaurant technology platform provider, to deliver a DOOH network at…

How Caffe Nero won landlord-tenant lawsuit

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Although Caffe Nero said it failed to pay rent for six months at one of its Boston locations, a judge dismissed the landlord's motion requesting payment.

CardFree delivery, ordering service helps restaurants keep more revenue

February 15, 2021

San Francisco-based CardFree, a mobile commerce solutions provider, is offering mobile ordering, delivery, contactless order and pay at the table services that…

Sweetgreen creating in-house agency

February 12, 2021

Sweetgreen has tapped Thomas Wilder, a former partner and creative director of Collins, a communications and design firm in New York City, as its first…

Bite Acquisition Corp begins selling stock

February 12, 2021

Restaurant investment company, Bite Acquisition Corp. is pricing its upsized initial public offering of 17.5 million units at $10 per unit. The stock began…

Slim Chickens, Crisp & Green see growth potential in Florida

February 12, 2021

Although fast casual brands, Slim Chickens and Crisp & Green, offer strikingly different cuisine, both have set their sights on Florida.

Inspire applies for Dunkin' ghost kitchen permit in Atlanta

February 12, 2021

Hot off its recent acquisition of the 32,000-store Dunkin' Brands, Inspire Brands is moving forward on construction of a Atlanta-based virtual kitchen…

Virtual experiences + '90s nostalgia = perfect Valentine's Day for Shake Shack, Panera

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Shake Shack and Panera bread are combining virtual experiences with '90s nostalgia to win customers' hearts on Valentine's Day.

Sift uncovers Telegram-based scheme exploiting restaurant apps

February 11, 2021

Digital safety company, Sift, has identified a cyber-scheme that exploits restaurant and delivery services via the Telegram messaging platform, according to a…

Vending machines keep Portland restaurant in business on Valentine's Day

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Spanish tapas restaurant, Pix Patisserie in Portland, Oregon, has found a way to help customers treat their loved on Valentine's Day despite COVID-1…

Jewelry vending machine to benefit NYC restaurants

February 11, 2021

Marla Aaron, a jewelry designer and East Harlem, New York resident, will take her jewelry vending machine to the streets of New York City for the first time as…

Dave's Hot Chicken signs 'Damm Fine' California deal

February 10, 2021

Los Angeles-based Dave's Hot Chicken has inked a franchise agreement with Damm Fine Chicken, which owns 20 Blaze Pizza restaurants, to open 20 locations…

Butterball enhances restaurant-geared website

February 10, 2021

All this talk of chicken in restaurant world could be been part of the reason turkey aficionados at Butterball Foodservice have launched a website to connect…