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…

Potbelly Sandwich Shop to aggressively franchise in 2019

December 19, 2018

Potbelly Sandwich Shop is launching a franchise growth strategy to expand into major metropolitan areas across the United States, Jeff Welch, SVP of…

Nekter Juice Bar launches '6-Day Celery Detox Cleanse'

December 18, 2018

Santa Ana, California-based NekterJuice Bar has created a total body reset with a 6-Day Celery Detox Cleanse. As one of nature's most powerful healing juices…

FastCasual names '20 Brands to Watch' in 2019

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Not to be confused with our annual Fast Casual Top 100 Movers and Shakers, this list focused on smaller and newer concepts that we think could have the…

Juice It Up opens 14th Orange County unit

December 18, 2018

Juice It Up has opened in the Tustin Marketplace at 13155 Jamboree Road, Tustin, California, marking Orange County's 14th unit. There are over 100 locations…

Chipotle Rose Parade float features real ingredients, Grammy-winning rock band

December 18, 2018

Chipotle Mexican Grill's first-ever appearance in the Rose Parade boasts a float created with real ingredients and the Grammy-winning rock band, Portugal. The…

Shake Shack opening 4th Houston location

December 18, 2018

The fourth Shake Shack in Houston, Texas will open its doors Dec. 20 in Montrose.

How the fast casual franchise can thwart marketing burnout

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

Planning and franchisee involvement are key in averting marketing burnout within the franchise organization.

Dave & Busters tests fast casual concept with food truck

December 18, 2018

Dave & Buster's has converted a room in its Dallas store to resemble a food truck as part of an effort to test the quick casual concept, according to the…

Tender Greens open for business in Boston

December 17, 2018

Tender Greens opened the doors to its Copley Place, Boston location on Dec. 12, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Fiesta Restaurant Group names former Panera exec as SVP, general counsel, corporate secretary

December 17, 2018

Fiesta Restaurant Group Inc., parent company of Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana, has appointed Louis DiPietro as its SVP, general counsel and corporate…

4 ways to keep employees engaged during the holiday season

The holiday season presents numerous challenges for managing labor, scheduling, turnover and employee engagement.

Postmates launching delivery robot

December 17, 2018

Los Angeles residents will soon see a delivery robot roving their sidewalks thanks to Postmates launching Serve, an autonomous delivery robot. After analyzing…