Spin Pizza rolls out menu, name changes

December 27, 2018

Spin Neapolitan Pizza, a Kansas City-based fast casual pizza concept founded 13 years ago, has changed its name to Spin Pizza, part of a large effort to…

Your Pie, Starbird, Blazing Onion founders spell out kitchen equipment needs

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

A trio of restaurant concept founders took to the stage at October's Fast Casual Executive Summit in Seattle to talk about their brands' needs, desires and…

Rave Restaurant Group opens 2 Pie units in Texas

December 27, 2018

Rave Restaurant Group's express pizza model, Pie, has opened in Georgetown and Houston, Texas, bringing the total number of Lone Star State Pie stores to six…

Cheesecake Factory vet joins Stonefire Grill as EVP

December 26, 2018

Stonefire Grill has named former Cheesecake Factory executive Scott Thomas as EVP, according to a company press release.    "Bringing Scott to Stonefire…

Penn Station reports end-of-year sales increase

December 26, 2018

Cincinnati, Ohio-based Penn Station East Coast Subs has reported a systemwide sales increase of more than 5 percent in October and November compared to last…

Jersey Mike's franchisee to develop up to 100 Hummus & Pita Co units

December 26, 2018

Southern California multi-concept operator Dan Markel has signed an agreement with The Hummus & Pita Co. to develop up to 100 units across California. The…

Fired Pie wedges in 'cheesy' LTO

December 26, 2018

Though we're almost dead in the middle of one of the biggest holiday periods of the year, surely most pizza operators are also gearing up for that other…

Why teens don't want to work for your restaurant

Some restaurants are still using bulletin boards in a break room to share information. Are you?

Chicken Salad Chick acquires 11 existing locations

December 21, 2018

Chicken Salad Chick has purchased 11 existing locations in Georgia from the brand's largest franchise owner, Origin Development Group, founded by Darren DeVore…

Caribou Coffee reports security breach

December 21, 2018

Caribou Coffee President John Butcher reported today on the chain's website that it has fallen victim to a security breach. Customers who visited any…

2 brothers 'steaking out' fast casual indusry

December 21, 2018

Steak is the latest food to go fast casual, thanks to Steakology opening next week in Westfield Village in Los Angeles. Following their successful launch of…

Question: Is the service model of the future quick or experiential? Answer: Yes

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Customers want fast food but an experience to go with it.

Two Events. One Goal. Elevate the Customer Experience

We are excited to bring two leading customer experience events to one place! The Interactive Customer Experience (ICX) Summit is about looking at the…

The holiday music conundrum: Are you 'tuned' into your customers?

While Christmas carols were once ubiquitous in fast food chains, today's restaurant owners are taking a different approach to their content strategies.

Pollo Tropical, Taco Cabana shuttering units

December 20, 2018

Pollo Tropical is closing 14 units across Florida and Georgia, and Taco Cabana will shutter nine in Texas, according to Fiesta Restaurant Group, the brands…

One year after tax reform: How are restaurants faring?

The benefits provided by the Tax Act may leave restaurants with spare capital to spend, providing cash-flow relief from sluggish same-store sales and higher…

Foodworks opens downtown Minneapolis location

December 20, 2018

Chicago-based hospitality company Foodworks has launched a location inside the Thrivent Financial building in Minneapolis.

Chipotle skips sponsorship of college bowl games, offers free delivery instead

December 20, 2018

In honor of college football season, Chipotle Mexican Grill is offering free delivery now through Jan. 7 on any Chipotle order worth $10 or more. "Given the…

Ono Hawaiian BBQ debuts 2nd Bakersfield location

December 19, 2018

Ono Hawaiian BBQ has opened its second restaurant in Bakersfield, California, this time in the Rosedale Village complex near the California State University of…

Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream aims to freeze out the competition

December 19, 2018

 Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream plans to add 15 targeted markets to its location roster in 2019, after opening seven new stores and signing eight agreements at…