FastCasual reveals '20 Brands to Watch'

The list, which is in its second year, focuses on 20 brands that are less than six years old but have the potential to become future industry leaders.

Whataburger rolls out delivery

May 29, 2020

Whataburger, based in San Antonio, with more than 830 locations in 10 states and sales of more than $2 billion annually, has rolled out delivery in most of its…

Blaze Pizza names supply chain, development leaders

May 29, 2020

Pasadena, California-based Blaze Pizza is making some changes in its executive ranks, announcing this week that Marie Zhang is joining the company as its chief…

'Converting to Curbside and Delivery' webinar is lesson in pandemic-era adaptability

When the pandemic flipped the operational model for a Texas taco brand to totally off-premise, Crush Taco and POS provider, Revention, responded, exemplifying…

Pandemic speeds up operational changes at Sweetgreen

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Like so many other restaurants around the world, Sweetgreen shifted into crisis mode COVID-19 hit but is now preparing for its version of the "new normal."

Former Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Johnny Rockets CEO tapped to lead Wahlburgers

May 28, 2020

Wahlburgers, a Boston-based fast casual restaurant with 37 locations in North America, the U.K. and Europe, has hired John Fuller as president and CEO.

Dave's Hot Chicken opening in San Diego

May 28, 2020

Dave's Hot Chicken, an LA-based fast casual is opening in Pacific Beach, marking its first location in San Diego. 

Peet's Coffee reopens 13 stores

May 28, 2020

Peet's Coffee has fully reopened 13 more locations as of today in California, Colorado, Maryland, and Virginia. Aside from those stores, other locations are…

Le Pain Quotidien selling for $3M

May 28, 2020

Le Pain Quotidien in the U.S. has filed for bankruptcy in Delaware, but Aurify Brands LLC is hoping to buy it for $3 million, pending court approval, according…

Blaze opens third Tampa-area store

May 28, 2020

Blaze is opening a new Florida location on Monday at the University of South Florida at Fowler Avenue and North 51st St., a news release said.

Panera hires chief concept officer

May 28, 2020

Eduardo Luz has joined Panera Bread as chief brand and concept officer and will be overseeing marketing, digital, strategy/insights and culinary teams…

Revel Systems becomes preferred POS provider for The Halal Guys

May 28, 2020

Revel Systems announced an agreement to become the preferred point-of-sale system by The Halal Guys at more than 80 of its franchise locations.

Fazoli's wins 2020 Excellence in Food Safety Award

Chipotle and Five Guys took home honorable mention for their efforts.

Zaxby's shares COVID-19 recovery plan

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

After reading the PPP criteria and realizing that Zaxby's qualified, CMO Joel Bulger said the chain applied and then ended up giving back every cent.

DoorDash enters delivery partnership with Sweetgreen

May 27, 2020

Sweetgreen, which has more than 100 locations and was recently named Fast Casual's Top 100 brand of 2020, has tapped DoorDash to help it deliver to customers.

Pandemic not stopping Captain D's from opening new locations

May 27, 2020

Captain D's has opened its newest franchised restaurant in Lancaster, South Carolina. Located at 1307 Charlotte Highway, it marks the brand's first location in…

Tork pledges $100K to help restaurants provide meals to pandemic workers

May 26, 2020

Tork, a global professional hygiene brand of Essity, is donating 100,000 to restaurants and hospitals in Philadelphia, the headquarters for Essity's global…

Farmer Boys supporting The Great American Takeout's Burger Bash

May 26, 2020

Farmer Boys, a  Southern California-based fast casual, is a presenting sponsor of The Great American Takeout's Burger Bash event on National Hamburger Day, May…

Reopening of dine-in service helping restaurants make small progress

May 26, 2020

Customer transactions at major U.S. restaurant chains declined by -21% in the week ending May 17 compared to the same period last year, a slight gain from last…

MenuDrive platform helping restaurants launch online ordering in 1 hour

May 26, 2020

MenuDrive, a white-labeled online ordering platform, has launched MenuDrive Self Sign-up for restaurants, which allows them to launch online ordering and…