How 6 restaurant brands cut costs by sharing kitchen space

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

High real estate prices and expensive kitchen equipment are two of the biggest barriers to opening and operating a thriving restaurant business. But what if…

Focus Brands opens 1,500th international store

September 27, 2018

Multi-restaurant brand group Focus Brands has opened its 1,500th international location. The Auntie Anne's-branded unit, which is in Liverpool, joins the…

Pie Five moves 2 into north Texas

September 27, 2018

Pie Five Pizza has signed two franchise deals to open restaurants in the northern Texas cities of Murphy and Prosper later this year, a news release said. 

Rave Restaurant Group reports 6th quarter of growth for Pizza Inn, Pie Five struggles

September 27, 2018

Pie Five and Pizza Inn parent, Rave Restaurant Group, Inc. said its fourth-quarter results indicate comparable store retail sales increased 0.4 percent over…

eTouch Menu/CompuTant partner for easier kiosk, mobile payments

September 27, 2018

eTouchMenu, a wholly-owned subsidiary of House Advantage, LLC, has teamed with CompuTant, Hawaii's only certified NCR reseller for independent and multi-unit…

SAJJ Mediterranean to open 3 more California locations

September 26, 2018

SAJJ Mediterranean, which operates Bay Area restaurants and food trucks serving Middle Eastern cuisine, has announced plans to open three more California…

Chicken Salad Chick opening 5th Mississippi unit

September 25, 2018

Chicken Salad Chick is expanding in Mississippi with its first Biloxi area location in D'Iberville, which will be the brand's fifth restaurant in the state.

Penn Station East Coast Subs franchisee adds to portfolio

September 25, 2018

Cardinal Cheesesteaks, a franchisee of Penn Station East Coast Subs, has purchased the Elizabethtown and Radcliff Penn Station locations, bringing its total to…

Psst: What's the secret code for free tacos?

September 25, 2018

Chronic Tacos, a California-inspired Mexican grill, is celebrating National Taco Day Oct. 4 by giving customers a free taco. The chain will announce the secret…

I ♥ Mac & Cheese signs multi-unit deal in North Carolina

September 25, 2018

I ♥ Mac & Cheese, a fast casual concept specializing in made-to-order macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches and salads, has awarded a multi-unit…

Farmer Boys expands Orange County footprint

September 25, 2018

Farmer Boys, a fast casual burger concept with 93 locations throughout California and Nevada, has opened its 10th Orange County restaurant in the city of…

Shake Shack cleared for landing at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

September 25, 2018

Shake Shack is opening today in the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Concourse A near Gate 28, as part of a  joint venture between Concessions…

Chipotle launches 'For Real' campaign to shine light on real ingredients

September 25, 2018

Chipotle Mexican Grill has launched an integrated marketing campaign — For Real — to emphasize its commitment to preparing real food made with real…

Starbucks CEO announces corporate layoffs

September 25, 2018

Starbucks CEO told employees via memo last week that corporate layoffs and a variety of other changes were coming soon in an effort to increase slowing sales…

Fall menu trends: Pumpkin is a heavy favorite but it's not the season's only LTO

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

October is nearly here, which triggers most restaurants to roll out their fall menus. And while pumpkin is still a favorite of the season, other flavors and…

Dunkin' Donuts' loyalty program dissected during free webinar

September 25, 2018

When it comes to loyalty programs, Dunkin' Donuts and its DD Perks rewards platform check just about all the boxes. And to help other brands learn from the…

Rapid Fired Pizza to open 2 more stores

September 25, 2018

Rapid Fired Pizza plans to open two stores later this year, one in the Eastern Kentucky city of Ashland on Central Avenue, and a second restaurant at an…

Taylor Gourmet investor pulls funds, chain closes

September 24, 2018

Taylor Gourmet, a 10-year-old Washington D.C.-based hoagie chain closed all 17 of its locations this weekend, after KarpReilly, the private equity firm that…

Swiss Chalet: Maintaining a connection with your employees leads to profits

Moe Khawaja, a Swiss Chalet owner and operator since 2001, talks with Hughes' Tim Tang about the effect of happy employees making happy consumers.

Charleys Philly Steaks opens 600th unit, plans 400 more by 2022

September 21, 2018

Charleys Philly Steaks celebrated its 600th restaurant opening last week in Lancaster, Ohio. The unit, 732 North Memorial Dr., is the chain's second location…