Former Dallas Cowboy opening Smoothie Factory Juice Bar

February 19, 2020

Former Dallas Cowboys player Charlie Williams and his wife, Sharonda, are getting into the smoothie business. The couple is opening a Smoothie Factory Juice…

WorkJam buys staffing platform Forge

February 19, 2020

Digital workplace solutions provider WorkJam is acquiring Forge, an on-demand staffing platform, according to a press release. The move will help WorkJam…

Earl of Sandwich spreads to Canada

February 19, 2020

Earl of Sandwich has opened its first location in Canada in Winnipeg at 7-515 Sterling Lyon Pkwy.

Curry Up Now hits Utah

February 19, 2020

Curry Up Now is opening its first Utah restaurant Feb. 28, at 1076 Fort Union Blvd. in Midvale, marking the brand's 11th location.

Champion boxer, NFL player hosting Ike's Love & Sandwiches event

February 19, 2020

World champion boxer Andre Ward and NFL player Marshawn Lynch will host a special event Feb. 20 at Ike's Love & Sandwiches latest store at the University…

Wingstop shares dip after Q4 earnings miss estimates

February 19, 2020

Shares of Wingstop Inc. fell Wednesday morning afer the restaurant missed earnings estimates during its fiscal fourth quarter. 

I Heart Mac & Cheese launches mobile app

February 18, 2020

I Heart Mac & Cheese, a fast casual concept specializing in customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese bowls and grilled cheese sandwiches, has…

Pokeworks adding 30 locations by year's end

February 18, 2020

Pokeworks is riding into 2020 on the momentum of opening 20 units last year, which took its total count of restaurants to 46 with 130 in development. It's…

Capriotti's to hit 500 units by 2025

February 18, 2020

Capriotti's Sandwich Shop ended 2019 with massive expansion and menu innovation. On top of expanding into 28 markets and adding 24 franchise partners to its…

Chipotle goes all in for hockey

February 18, 2020

Chipotle Mexican Grill is treating hockey fans to freebies Friday with its "Wear Your Hockey Jersey" program. Fans dressed in their fave hockey jerseys can…

Why customers are investing in this NYC smoothie franchise

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

While most restaurant brands rely on private equity investors and VC firms to raise capital, Pure Green Founder Ross Franklin is taking his cause to the people…

QikServe enters reseller deal with FreedomPay

February 18, 2020

QikServe, which offers a pay-at-table service that allows customers to pay their checks with a QR code or contactless tap using NFC technology, has entered a…

Checkers & Rally's taps former Boston Market leader as CEO

February 17, 2020

Tampa, Florida-based Checkers & Rally's has named former Boston Market CEO Frances Allen as its CEO and board member, effective today. She succeeds Rick…

Seafood fast casual casts franchising net

February 17, 2020

Wharf Hospitality Group Inc., a five-unit fast casual seafood concept based in Alabama, has launched a franchising program to help expand its presence via…

RFIS 2020 Sponsor Preview: PathSpot

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

The PathSpot Safety System is a real-time hand hygiene management solution that protects foodservice operators and their customers against foodborne illness…

Wingstop, McAlister’s Deli, Tropical Smoothie leaders among RFIS closing keynote panelists

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

During the closing keynote session at the annual Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit next month in Atlanta, the presidents and CEOs of International…

Not all heroes wear capes: Some wear aprons and master spreadsheets

by Nancy Shenker

Superhero managers are experts at controlling food costs and labor but also have an influence mindset as well as a mastery of P&L and their brand's systems.

Toast lands $400M in funding

February 14, 2020

Toast, a restaurant management platform in the U.S., today has raised $400 million in its latest round of funding led by Bessemer Venture Partners, TPG…

Chop Chop Rice CEO: 'We can't hire like we did in the past'

David Smith, CEO of Chop Chop Rice Co., shares the eight things he does to recruit and keep high-quality employees.

Orange Leaf's positive SSS growth continues to climb

February 13, 2020

Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt finished 2019 on a high note, achieving positive same-store sales growth, which President and COO Kendall Ware attributed to an…