Mici Handcrafted Italian expanding to Colorado Springs

January 15, 2021

Mici Handcrafted Italian, a five-unit fast casual chain based in Denver, Colorado, is opening their first Colorado Springs location in February, owned and…

2 industry leaders looking to invest in the 'next restaurant leader'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Dave Pace, board member of Red Robin and former CEO of Jamba Inc., and Andy Pforzheimer, a co-founder of the Barcelona and Bartaco brands, have come together…

Chipotle, Shawn Mendes supporting sustainability efforts with grants

January 15, 2021

Chipotle Mexican Grill is partnering with singer Shawn Mendes and the Shawn Mendes Foundation to launch "Wonder Grants," supporting young innovators in…

Sweetgreen taps digital influencers to push 'fried' chicken LTO

January 14, 2021

Sweetgreen has created a Crispy Chicken Salad, which showcases the flavors of the chicken sandwich — which is all the rage across the industry — while allowing…

Outer Banks Boil headed to Florida

January 14, 2021

Outer Banks Boil Company, a takeout and catering franchise that specializes in low-country Carolinian-style seafood boils is headed to Tampa.

Andrew Zimmern's supporting substance-abuse recovery for restaurant workers

January 14, 2021

Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency assistance to foodservice workers, has added a substance abuse recovery initiative and is…

Original ChopShop thrives amid pandemic

January 14, 2021

Despite the challenging operating environment in 2020, Original ChopShop — an emerging fast casual brand serving protein bowls, salads, sandwiches and fresh…

Impulsify, Shift4 partner to expand self-pay retail option

January 14, 2021

Impulsify Inc. and Shift4 Payments are teaming up to integrate Impulsify's self-pay retail technology with Shift4's contactless payments.

Chicken Salad Chick, SoFresh opening Florida locations

January 13, 2021

Auburn, Alabama-based Chicken Salad Chick and Tampa-based SoFresh are expanding in Florida with Chicken Salad Chick opening in Coral Springs and SoFresh…

Muscle Maker adds Philly ghost kitchen, launches 5 concepts

January 13, 2021

Philadelphia now has a second Muscle Maker ghost kitchen, according to Muscle Maker Inc., the parent company of Muscle Maker Grill, Healthy Joe's and MMG…

Private-equity company acquires 10 Wingstops

January 13, 2021

Prospect Capital Restaurants in partnership with an affiliate of Corlex Capital, a minority-owned private equity and consulting firm in Atlanta, has acquired…

Zoup TikTok goes viral

January 13, 2021

Detroit-based Zoup Eatery has gained TikTok fame thanks to Zoup Franchisee Dia Amesto posting a "12 Days of Christmas" parody on the popular social media…

How Tropical Smoothie pulled off record-breaking year during COVID-19

While the pandemic destroyed thousands of restaurants last year, Atlanta-based Tropical Smoothie Cafe had one of its best years to date. It posted its ninth…

Jollibee, Smashburger parent lands 'best employer' awards

January 13, 2021

Forbes has named Jollibee Foods Corp. — the parent company of Philippines-based QSR Jollibee and Smashburger — to its list of World's Best Employers. The…

5 million is not enough: Panera extends pizza line

January 13, 2021

You will excuse Panera leaders if lately they seem to be smiling a lot more, after revealing that sales of their flatbread pizzas — introduced in late October…

Fiesta slowing sales losses

January 12, 2021

Fiesta Restaurant Group Inc., which owns Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana and has been trying to recover from sales losses even before the pandemic, showed…

Wing it On debuts thigh wings, 1st Georgia location

January 12, 2021

Waterbury, Connecticut-based Wing It On has rolled out thigh wings for a limited time, available in store, online or via the WIO mobile app. Third-party…

Munchie Magic now serving California

January 12, 2021

Baristas Coffee Company is expanding its virtual concept, Munchie Magic, to California, adding to its more than 50 locations in the states of Washington and…

Kat Cole joins Slice board

January 12, 2021

Former Focus Brands President Kat Cole has joined the board of directors for Slice, a technology platform for pizza brands that has surpassed $1 billion in…

Toronto Raptors' founder opens Dave's Hot Chicken in Canada

January 12, 2021

Canada is home to Dave's Hot Chicken's first international location, according to a company press release. Located at 1582 Queen St. West, in the Parkdale…