Waitr gobbles up Bite Squad for $323M

January 18, 2019

Restaurant online ordering and on-demand food delivery platform, Waitr Holdings Inc. has acquired Bite Squad, for a purchase price of approximately $32…

RFIS attendees to learn about 'What Danny Meyer never told you,' the blockchain, rise of conscious eating'

January 18, 2019

The Early Bird discount for the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit ends Feb. 8, and if you sign up today you get another $100 off.

Farm Burger launches 'Furlough Fridays' freebie for federal workers

January 18, 2019

Atlanta-based Farm Burger is offering free meals in its 11 locations to furloughed federal employees every Friday until the government shutdown ends. The…

Luna Grill signs first licensing deal

January 17, 2019

Luna Grill has signed its first licensing deal and it's for a location inside the $226 million Sycuan Casino development in San Diego.

Capriotti’s adds Rhode Island to its franchise map

January 17, 2019

Capriotti's Sandwich Shop is moving into Rhode Island with plans to open the first of three franchise locations by April.

Celebrity chef Jose Andrés launching pop-up eatery for furloughed fed workers

January 17, 2019

As the U.S. government shutdown hits day 27, Chef Jose Andrés aims to help some of the 800,000 furloughed federal workers by providing food during the…

How the rise of third-party delivery, tight labor market forcing restaurants to evolve POS systems

by Cherryh Cansler

Executives from Revel and Toast discuss how relying on third-party delivery companies is forcing fast casual brands to change their POS systems.

Jersey Mike’s teams up with Team Liquid

January 16, 2019

Jersey Mike's Subs is partnering with Team Liquid, a global e-sports organization, as a partner and sponsor. The two will collaborate on co-branded content and…

Giardino Gourmet Salads on aggressive expansion track

January 16, 2019

Giardino Gourmet Salads, a Florida-based concept, is continuing to expand across Miami with multi-unit franchisees, Jaime Mitrani and Robert Fuerth launching…

Potbelly Sandwich Shop to open in Charlotte

January 16, 2019

Potbelly Sandwich Shop is opening a franchise in the Ballantyne community of Charlotte, North Carolina.

'So, what are ya' drinkin'?' One of this year's most complicated questions

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

The answer to that age-old question, "So, what are you drinkin'?" has gotten a lot more complicated. But pizza brands that don't brush up on their answers to…

Mod Pizza snags Chipotle's former marketing director

January 16, 2019

Mod Pizza has appointed Chipotle's former executive director of marketing as its CMO. Mark Shambura will lead the Seattle-based fast casual's marketing…

City Barbecue names president

January 15, 2019

City Barbeque has added Mike Muldoon to its leadership team as its president and COO, according to a company press release. Muldoon, who served as president of…

Salata promotes former CMO to president

January 15, 2019

Houston-based Salata Salad Kitchen has promoted its CMO, Michelle Bythewood, to president of the company. Bythewood joined the company in 2017, as its first…

Delivering the ultimate customer experience across banking touch points

At the Bank Customer Experience Summit last fall, Andrea Boone, executive director of FSO digital at EY, spoke with Tim Tang, director of enterprise solutions…

What the change in NLRB precedent means for restaurant employers, workers

Assuming employers draft their rules in accordance with the general counsel's revised guidance, the ruling should result in fewer unfair labor practice charges…

Starbucks Indonesia opens coffee sanctuary

January 15, 2019

Thanks to a partnership with PT Sari Coffee Indonesia, Indonesia is now home to Starbucks' largest coffee destination in Southeast Asia — the Starbucks Dewata…

Shake Shack hitting downtown Houston

January 14, 2019

Shake Shack is opening this summer in downtown Houston, according to a company press release.

Wingstop domestic same-store sales up by 6.5 percent in Q4

January 14, 2019

Wingstop reported today that its domestic same-store sales increased 6.5 percent for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2018, as compared with last year's Q4.  

Torchy's Tacos adds former Dunkin', Walmart execs to leadership team

January 14, 2019

Torchy's Tacos, based in Austin, has added two members to its leadership team, Scott Hudler as chief marketing officer and Elizabeth Baxter as chief people…