Tropical Smoothie sales up 25%

August 17, 2020

Despite COVID-19, Tropical Smoothie Cafe LLC sales are higher than ever. The chain reported Monday that July's comp sales were up 25.5% and that transactions…

AmEx acquires Kabbage

August 17, 2020

American Express is acquiring the team and technology of Kabbage, an online lender for small business.

Pollo Tropical offering contactless experience via app upgrade

August 17, 2020

Pollo Tropical has launched curbside pick-up service, which allows customers to park at the restaurant and have their orders delivered to their cars, and even…

Muscle Maker Grill piloting delivery-only kitchens

August 17, 2020

Muscle Maker Inc., the New Jersey-based parent company of Muscle Maker Grill, Healthy Joe's, Meal Plan AF & MMG Burger Bar, is partnering with Reef…

Just Salad adds to exec team

August 17, 2020

New York City-based Just Salad has appointed Andy Rooks as its first CMO and hired Apolinar Chavez as COO.

Captain D's targeting Florida for growth

August 17, 2020

Captain D's has opened its latest franchised location in Palatka, Florida, at 200 State Road 19, marking the chain's eighth location in Northeast Florida and…

DoorDash, NBA partner to promote Black-owned restaurants

August 17, 2020

DoorDash and the National Basketball Association have signed a multiyear marketing partnership to make the third-party delivery platform the official delivery…

Your Pie does hot chicken 'pizza-style'

August 17, 2020

Your Pie is getting in on the hot chicken craze with an LTO pumped full of spice and hot peppers. The Chicken Al Pastor pizza features house-made…

Garbanzo files for Chapter 11

August 17, 2020

Colorado-based Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh is hoping to make a comeback after filing for Chapter 11 last week in the Eastern District of Missouri, where…

Al fresco dining: Are you leaving money on the table?

by Steve Starr — Chief, starrdesign

Part One of our series on outdoors space, we tasked restaurant operators to answer several questions about their outdoor dining space. Part 2 will feature…

PopID intros pay-by-face solution

August 14, 2020

PopID, a Cali Group company, has launched its PopPay face-pay service, which lets users pay with their faces at facial recognition devices. Customers can link…

NRA applauds Sen Schumer's move to co-sponsor $120B Restaurants Act

New York Democrat and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is co-sponsoring the Restaurants Act -- a very good move, according to the NRA.

I Heart Mac & Cheese adding 3 Indiana stores

August 14, 2020

I Heart Mac & Cheese franchisee Matthew Griffin is planning to add three stores to his roster.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit, Fazoli's tap ghost kitchens to advance business

August 14, 2020

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is launching virtual kitchens as its latest franchise opportunity and plans to open the facilities in Chicago, Houston, Orlando and…

3 ways to retain, acquire customers

by Matt Drewes — Owner, DRMS Marketing

Restaurants across the country are bracing for a second wave of state-mandated closures as coronavirus cases surge again. Still recovering from the first wave…

ICX Association Elevate Awards winners to be announced during livestream event

by David Drain

August 13, 2020

Winners of the ICXA Elevate Awards, which recognize outstanding achievement in interactive customer experience, are typically recognized during the annual ICX…

Bento opening in Tampa

August 13, 2020

Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi, a fast casual pan-Asian restaurant, is opening its first Tampa location in September.

FAT Brands buys Johnny Rockets

August 13, 2020

FAT Brands has expanded its waistline, announcing Thursday that it was buying Johnny Rockets for nearly $25 million from an affiliate of private equity firm…

Shake Shack lands in Beijing

August 13, 2020

After making its Chinese debut last year in Shanghai, Shake Shack has opened its second location in the country.

How to guarantee ROI on your outdoor dining space

by Steve Starr — Chief, starrdesign

As the pandemic progresses, the notion of outdoor dining spaces driving is more important than ever. One blogger shares everything he knows about customers…