Newk's reveals new digs

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

After polling guests to learn what they wanted in their hometown Newk's, the brand has revealed its makeover in Jackson, Mississippi.

Blaze adds 2 more to Dallas

December 13, 2019

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza has signed its fourth deal this year to develop units in Dallas, Texas, this time with husband and wife duo, Tony and Marina Petro. The…

Coolgreens opening in Omaha

December 12, 2019

Coolgreens is opening two units next year in Omaha. Located at 18990 West Center in Loveland Center and 3618 S. Farnum St. in the Blackstone District, the…

Why Florida fast casual brand doubled down on mobile marketing

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

By implementing a mobile proximity marketing strategy, EVOS Restaurants in Florida saw a 9% lift in sales and increased website visits by over 110%.

How Cousins Subs CEO knew it was time for $8M rebrand

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Cousins CEO Christine Specht reveals how she knew it was time for an $8 million rebrand and how those changes have lead to huge increases in AUVs and…

Does your brand have what it takes to make the 2020 Fast Casual Top 100?

Nominations for the Top 100 and the Excellence in Food Safety awards close Jan. 17.

Clean Juice expands into catering using Chowly/ezCater services

December 11, 2019

Clean Juice, a USDA-certified organic juice bar franchise, will be offering catering at all its locations, thanks to a partnership between Chowly, a restaurant…

Thanksgiving leaves restaurants with little to be thankful for

December 11, 2019

U.S. restaurant transactions for Thanksgiving week were down 7% compared to the same week last year when the holiday was a week earlier, according to The NPD…

Artichoke Basille's Pizza opens location in Hartford

December 11, 2019

Artichoke Basille's Pizza, a New York-based fast casual concept, has opened a location in downtown Hartford, Connecticut. This restaurant will offer a full bar…

IHOP flips for fast casual

December 11, 2019

IHOP Restaurants is getting into the fast casual market with its latest concept, Flip'd, opening in April in Atlanta with additional sites in New York City…

'Have Yourself a Lawsuit Free Little Christmas'

Attorney Emily N. Litzinger offers tips for avoiding employee problems during the holidays.

Warming customers up to winter menu innovation

by Mike Sisco — CEO, Embed Digital

Menu innovation is a must for forward-thinking restaurant brands, but how do these industry leaders warm their customers up to new ingredients and meals?

Fourth Enterprises tabs Sabre's Anderson as CEO, names Whitmarsh CFO

December 10, 2019

Fourth Enterprises, LLC, parent company of HotSchedules and Fourth, a provider of workforce, inventory and operations management solutions to the restaurant…

P. Terry's Burger Stand taps SMG to measure customer feedback

December 10, 2019

To capture and measure guest feedback at the point of sale, P. Terry's Burger Stand has tapped SMG — a global customer, patient and employee experience…

Garden Fresh Restaurants names supply chain VP

December 10, 2019

Garden Fresh Restaurants LLC, parent company of 97 Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes restaurants, has named Victor Phan as its first-ever VP of supply chain…

Tropical Smoothe Cafe signs two multi-unit deals for Colorado

December 10, 2019

Atlanta-based Tropical Smoothie Cafe has signed two multi-unit franchise agreements to develop 38 cafes over the next five years in Colorado, according to a…

Captain D's opens 19th Ohio unit

December 10, 2019

Captain D's is opening in Chillicothe, Ohio, at 1344 Western Ave., marking the brand's 19th unit in the state. The move comes on the heels of a surge of…

Chef Chatter: Creating craveable, nutritious meals that everyone can afford

Chef Zach Thomas reveals why he left traditional chef roles behind in New York City to become an R&D chef.

Jimmy John's debuts Freaky Fast Rewards program

December 10, 2019

Jimmy John's is launching its first-ever customer loyalty program, called Freaky Fast Rewards, offering members a free 8-inch sandwich after the first order.

Coolgreens prepping smart fridges for Dallas market

December 10, 2019

Healthy lifestyle eatery Coolgreens plans to install smart fridges in its Dallas market for the sale of salads, wraps and snacks.