Schlotzsky's signs 10-unit deal with Dairy Queen franchisees

February 6, 2019

Schlotzsky's Austin Eatery, a unit of Focus Brands, has signed a deal with Dairy Queen franchisees to open up to 10 units in rural areas across Arkansas, Texas…

3 restaurant tech trends that can help get the 'whole house' in order

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Whether it's in the front-of-house. the back-of-house or outside the house, restaurants should rely on technology this year to create agility, increase digital…

'Will run for free burritos'

February 6, 2019

The Virgin Sport & Chipotle Run Club is launching Wednesday in London, giving runners access to a free weekly  8-10 kilometer training run club, according…

Sweetberry CEO predicts 300% growth in sales

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Predicting a 300 percent sales increase for a 1-year-old brand is a pretty gutsy statement for any new business, but Sweetberry Bowls CEO Desi Saran is…

Tropical Smoothie Cafe hits 700+ location milestone

February 5, 2019

Tropical Smoothie Cafe has hit a growth milestone with more than 700 locations. Additionally, over 60 percent of the franchise agreements have come from…

FAT Brands announces 60-unit expansion in India

February 5, 2019

Over the next 10 years, FAT Brands is developing 60 co-branded Fatburger and Buffalo's Express restaurants throughout India in partnership with Franglobal…

Amazon taps Starbucks COO for board role

February 5, 2019

Rosalind Brewer, Starbucks COO and a former Sam's Club CEO, is now on the Amazon board of directors.

Shake Shack rolls out Chick’n Bites LTO

February 5, 2019

For a limited time Shake Shack customers can enjoy Chick'n Bites, which are available in a six- or 10-piece option.

Welbilt prepping launch of Crem coffee brand

February 4, 2019

Welbilt will debut a commercial coffee machine brand, called Crem, in the U.S. later this week.

Digital ordering to triple by 2020

February 4, 2019

Restaurant digital orders have grown an average of 23 percent, per year since 2013, and will triple by the end of 2020, according to a report from NPD Group.

CHiKN brings Nashville-style hot chicken to Pittsburgh

February 4, 2019

Fast casual CHiKN is serving up Nashville-style hot chicken to Oakland, Pittsburgh residents at its newly opened location on Forbes Avenue.

5 fast casuals scoring big on Super Bowl Sunday

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Wings and pizza are the undisputed rulers of Super Bowl food, but that doesn't mean other concepts can't play.

Chef Chatter: Why transparency matters in the fast casual industry

Alex Ferreira, chef and general manager at Silva's Fresh Eatery & Churrascaria, shares his formula for creating a transparent experience in his restaurant.

Chipotle taps Kerry Bridges as food safety leader

February 1, 2019

Chipotle Mexican Grill has hired Kerry Bridges as vice president of food safety to replace James Marsden when he retires in the next few months.

Starbucks schools employees as former CEO mulls presidential quest

February 1, 2019

Starbucks is advising employees on how to respond to potential customer interaction regarding former CEO and chairman Howard Schultz’s latest book and his…

Squaring the square: White Castle VP tells how brand develops new slider spin-offs

In this podcast, White Castle Vice President Jamie Richardson tells how the brand keeps innovating on that famous little square of beef, while Blockchain Tech…

Kansas City's Spin Pizza gearing up for the ride of its life

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Spin Pizza Founding Partner Ed Brownell discusses how the brand's recent rebranding will help it grow.

Ritual expands mobile food ordering, pickup to UK, Europe

January 31, 2019

Ritual, a mobile app for food pickup, is expanding into the U.K. and Australia as well as multiple European countries.

Pieology pies 'veg out'

January 31, 2019

California-based, Pieology,  said it has become the first fast-casual pizza brand to offer customers three meatless toppings, including Spicy Italian Sausage…

Go Go Curry America CEO: 'Japanese curry is here to stay'

January 30, 2019

Japanese food in the United States has become synonymous with sushi and ramen, but Go Go Curry America President and CEO Tomoko Omori is betting that another…