Shaq expanding Big Chicken to Cali

September 11, 2019

Big Chicken — NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal's fast casual chicken restaurant —  is opening a second location by year's end at 252 South Brand in Glendale…

August 2019: Chicken feathers flew, QSR sales grew

September 11, 2019

Consumer spending on restaurants was up in August this year over last, according to the NPD Group, which said QSRs were the main recipients of the increased…

Pokeworks CEO: 'Why the demand for poke isn't slowing'

Today, the poke trend itself is at an all-time high with an annual growth rate of 25 percent. Beyond the poke craze, other popular Hawaiian-inspired dishes are…

Giardino, Chop Chop Rice announce expansion plans

September 10, 2019

Two fast casual chains — Giardino Gourmet Salads and Chop Chop Rice Co. —  are celebrating their 15th birthdays this month with major growth plans.

Qu introduces new POS platform

September 10, 2019

Restaurant POS company, Qu, has launched a new data-centric platform that it said in a news release remedies the fragmented ordering, production and brand…

Garden Fresh Restaurants adds to leadership team

September 9, 2019

Garden Fresh Restaurants, owner of 97 Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes restaurants, has appointed Nicole Bushnell as CMO and John Gigliotti as vice…

Starbucks commits to protecting employee mental health

September 9, 2019

Starbucks is on a mission to protect the mental health of its employees — AKA partners —  according to CEO Kevin Johnson, who published a letter Thursday…

Huey Magoo's opens in Daytona Beach

September 9, 2019

Following nine openings in Central Florida, Huey Magoo's is now open in Daytona Beach, Florida today, President and CEO Andy Howard in in a company press…

Celebrity chef opening vegan fast casual inside Whole Foods

September 9, 2019

Celebrity chef and restaurateur Spike Mendelsohn is opening a vegan fast casual eatery, PLNT Burger, this week inside Whole Foods Market in Silver Spring…

Fiesta group hires former Popeyes exec as CMO

September 9, 2019

Miami-based Fiesta Restaurant Group, parent company of Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana, has appointed Hope Diaz as its CMO, effective Sept. 16.

Blaze gets 'large and in-charge'

September 9, 2019

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza is now offering a large pizza, designed for sharing, according to a news release, which said that the menu addition is part of a major…

World's largest Starbucks opening in the Windy City in November

September 6, 2019

The world’s biggest Starbucks Reserve Roastery, a 43,000-square-foot location, will open in Chicago on Nov. 15 on Michigan Avenue.

Chipotle debuts free Sunday delivery, 'things you borrow' kit

September 6, 2019

Chipotle Mexican Grill is offering free delivery on Sundays through the rest of the month and launching a "borrowing" kit in select markets, all in honor of…

From homelessness to selling $1K sandwiches: The story of Ike's Love & Sandwiches

From the depths of business failure and homelessness, to the height of restaurant brand success and a devoted fan base, the man behind Ike's Love & Sandwiches…

Jamba inks 16-unit deal with former baseball player

September 5, 2019

Jamba, which dropped the "Juice" from its name in June, has signed an agreement with Dustin King, a third-generation millennial franchise, to open 1…

Potbelly lands multi-unit development deal with Vegas casino owner

September 5, 2019

Potbelly Sandwich Shop has signed an agreement with casino owner Eric Persson to enter the Las Vegas market. Persson, who may bring up to 10 Potbelly locations…

Uberrito adding to Houston presence

September 5, 2019

Mexican fast casual restaurant Uberrito is opening this fall in Houston, marking the chain's sixth unit.

McAlister's franchisee adds 30 units to portfolio

September 5, 2019

McAlister's Deli is adding 30 locations to its roster as a result of a deal signed with Franchisee David Blackburn, the CEO of Southern Rock Restaurants LLC.

Moe's nabs McDonald's exec to fill president role

September 5, 2019

Former McDonald's exec Erik Hess is stepping into the president's role at Moe's Southwest Grill, which has 725 operating units across the U.S. He will oversee…

Grubhub launches Perks to boost loyalty for major brands

September 5, 2019

Grubhub has launched Perks, an in-app feature that will provide hundreds of millions of dollars in free food to loyal customers.