Chipotle partners with Zoom to promote social distancing

March 16, 2020

While people all over the U.S. practice social distancing in an effort to help contain the spread of the coronavirus, Chipotle is hoping to deliver some…

Restaurants focused on delivery, to-go during Coronavirus pandemic

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Although Creator, a burger joint in San Francisco that doesn't need humans to cook its burgers, the restaurant has gone a step further to protect guests and…

Starbucks closes US, Canada dining areas, offers to-go service

March 16, 2020

In an effort to help contain the COVID-19 virus, Starbucks is implementing a to-go only service model in its U.S. and Canadian locations.

Just Salad opts for digital-only ordering

March 16, 2020

In an effort to stop Covid-19 from spreading, New York-based Just Salad has suspended in-store dining, shifting to 100% digital ordering in most states.

Breakfast 'war' pushes restaurant sales up despite COVID-19

March 16, 2020

The breakfast war between QSRs drove U.S. customer transactions up at quick service restaurants despite all the negative impact on the restaurant industry due…

Restaurant industry providing economic relief in face of coronovirus

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

While the restaurant industry does its best to serve customers while also protecting them as well as their employees, several companies are going a step…

Sam's Crispy Chicken launches ghost kitchens

March 13, 2020

Sbe Entertainment Group's C3 unit announced the launch of its first delivery-only, virtual kitchen concept called Sam's Crispy Chicken. 

Chipotle offering free delivery through March

March 13, 2020

Chipotle Mexican Grill is offering free delivery now through March 31. All orders are customized via Chipotle's Delivery Kitchen, which has a dedicated…

From bento boxes, to boozy breakfasts, K2 bakes up offbeat brands

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

California born and bred restaurant brand innovator, K2, is on a mission to wake up limited service, among other dining categories. In today's podcast, K2 CEO…

Dickey's rolling out contactless delivery in US

March 12, 2020

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is launching a contactless doorstep drop-off delivery option for guests to choose when they order delivery through Dickeys.com or the…

Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit postponed due to COVID-19

March 12, 2020

Networld Media Group, the parent company of FastCasual, has postponed the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit, set for March 16-18 in…

7-Eleven raises the 'Roost' as well as its restaurant industry stakes with new Manhattan restaurant

March 12, 2020

7-Eleven, Inc. just keeps stepping up its presence as a competitor in the limited-service restaurant sector and now it has opened a chicken QSR, Raise the…

Slim Chickens arrives in Colorado, launches food truck

March 12, 2020

It's been a busy month for Slim Chickens as the brand opened its first Colorado location, in Aurora, and also launched its first food truck.

I Heart Mac & Cheese signs Montana deal

March 12, 2020

I Heart Mac & Cheese has signed a franchise agreement with T.R. Gonzales Inc., led by Teresa Gonzales, who will open a Helena, Montana location this fall.

Greek from Greece lands first franchise deal

March 12, 2020

Greek from Greece Bakery-Cafe has finalized a deal with Dimitri Gouliaberis to open its first franchise location this summer at a site near Drexel University…

How the restaurant industry is staying the course during the pandemic

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

As coronavirus is officially dubbed a pandemic by the World Health Organization, restaurant brands are doing their best to adapt.

RFIS 2020 Sponsor Preview: Attentive

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Attentive is a personalized mobile messaging platform for innovative businesses that can quickly become a Top 3 revenue channel.

SpotOn raises $50M led by former Twitter executives

March 11, 2020

SpotOn Transact Inc. has raised $50 million in Series B funding from a group led by O1 Advisors, a firm co-founded by former Twitter CEO Dick Costolo and other…

RFIS 2020: Sponsor Preview

Decision Logic

Starbucks on mission to create sustainable cup

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

March 11, 2020

Starbucks is testing a recyclable and compostable hot cup solution as part of the NextGen Cup Challenge, a program supported by McDonald's and Closed Loop…