'Lifestyle' is the fast casual buzzword of 2020

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

It wouldn't be the new year without restaurants around the world pushing "better-for-you" menu items in an effort to appeal to "lifestyle diners," consumers…

Press Waffle making Waco debut

January 7, 2020

After its successful pitch to expand its family owned business on ABC's Shark Tank, Press Waffle Co is set to open its doors to the Waco, Texas, community on…

Voodoo Doughnut teams with National Alliance to battle homelessness

January 7, 2020

Voodoo Doughtnut is partnering with the National Alliance to End Homelessness and created a new product in honor of the charitable effort.

Chase offers free DashPass food delivery subscription to elite cardholders

January 7, 2020

JP Morgan Chase announced a partnership with food delivery platform DoorDash to offer DashPass subscriptions to its Sapphire, Freedom and Slate cardholders. 

Chef Chatter: How Wendy's balances authenticity with commercial appeal

Chef Marshall Scarborough, director of culinary innovation, The Wendy's Company, believes even the most exclusive dishes should evolve from their origin to…

Dig launches Philly location

January 7, 2020

Dig, a fast casual that operates dozens of New York City stores as well as locations in Boston, is now open for business in Philadelphia.

Restaurant leaders tout inclusive cultures to quell 'labor pains'

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Inclusion and diversity are more than HR catchwords when it comes to restaurant staff. Leaders of four restaurant brands say brands that truly embrace these as…

Newk's opens units in 2 college towns

January 6, 2020

Newk's Eatery is opening in two SEC college towns: Athens, Georgia and Gainesville, Florida. The locations, opening near the University of Georgia and the…

Starbucks offering meditation app to employees

January 6, 2020

Understanding that one in five adults experience some form of mental illness each year, Starbucks has added Headspace, a subscription service offering hundreds…

Davo Technologies launches sales tax automation on Toast platform

January 6, 2020

Davo Technologies said it has launched an automated sales tax and filing service on Toast, a point-of-sale platform used by restaurant operators to automate…

Cousins Subs launches loyalty app

January 6, 2020

Cousins Subs has made its loyalty program, Cousins Club, available via an app that rewards users with one point for everyone dollar spent in stores and online…

YUM Brands acquiring The Habit Burger

January 6, 2020

Yum Brands, the parent company of Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC, announced that it will acquire The Habit Burger Grill for $375 million, or $14 a share in cash…

Caviar & Bananas closes Nashville and Greenville, South Carolina locations

January 6, 2020

Caviar & Bananas, an upscale fast casual eatery and market, has closed its Nashville site and one of its three South Carolina locations, according to The…

Dickey's offers franchise discount to first-time owners

January 3, 2020

Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants is encouraging new beginnings for restaurant-curious entrepreneurs looking to expand their business opportunities in the new…

Chicken Salad expanding Houston footprint

January 3, 2020

Chicken Salad Chick is expanding in the Houston area with its newest restaurant in Kingwood. The chain closed out 2019 with 40 openings, including three in the…

Largest Pieology franchisee takes on 21 corporate locations

January 2, 2020

Pieology Pizzeria has refranchised 21 corporate-owned restaurants to one of its largest franchisees, Akash Management, Llc. CEO Amir Siddiqi, who already is a…

Applebee's testing fast casual concept

Applebee's is on top of the casual dining sector, and its success may be due to the fact that it has leaned into the fast casual mindset.

Chipotle gets a little greener

January 2, 2020

Chipotle Mexican Grill is rolling out a "Supergreens" salad mix with romaine, baby kale and baby spinach, which will replace the existing romaine-only salad…

Blendid installs its second robotic smoothie kiosk

December 31, 2019

Robotic self-serve smoothie kiosk-maker, Blendid, has  installed its second location, this one at Sonoma State University's Charlie Brown Café earlier this…

Jan. 14 webinar gives even smallest brands mega-marketing powers

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

December 31, 2019

Want to put your brand on the lists of hot dining spots without substantial outlays of cash? Plan to attend this upcoming webinar.