Former Buffalo Wild Wings CEO joins board of Digi International

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 6, 2018

The $2.9 billion acquisition of Buffalo Wild Wings by Arby's Restaurant Group is now complete, which puts Arby's CEO Paul Brown in the top position of the…

Kotipizza Group unveils strategy to grow several fast casual brands

February 5, 2018

Kotipizza Group Oyj's board of directors has approved a new strategy and financial goals for the next three years to manage a portfolio of franchised fast…

Little Big Burger, Burgers Grilled Right on a growth mission

February 5, 2018

Portand, Oregon-based Little Big Burger and Burgers Grilled Right, owned by Chanticleer Holdings Inc, are both expanding across the country. 

Grabbagreen adds 5th unit to West Coast

February 5, 2018

Arizona-based Grabbagreen is adding a fifth location to the West Coast via a deal with franchisees Matt Burke, Zachary Burke and Jill Burke of Green Bros. The…

Ono Hawaiian BBQ continues Southern California expansion

February 5, 2018

Ono Hawaiian BBQ continues its Southern California expansion with a unit opening in the city of Glendora.    "We are looking forward to expanding our…

McAlister's upgrades rewards program

February 2, 2018

McAlister's Deli has launched McAlister's Rewards to ease the stress of customers tracking points and visits, according to a company press release. It sends…

Starbucks launches Visa card to drive customer loyalty forward

February 2, 2018

Starbucks lovers have yet another way to earn stars at their favorite coffee place as Starbucks and Chase have launched a Starbucks Rewards Visa card that is…

Giardino Gourmet Salads expanding South Florida footprint

February 2, 2018

Giardino Gourmet Salads is expanding its South Florida footprint with the opening of its 16th and 17th units. One will open in North Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in…

Tokyo Cafe, Press Waffle Co, Not Just Q join Dallas foodhall

February 2, 2018

Foodhall at Crockett Row opening in Dallas this year has added four brands to its lineup. Chef Grady Spears and the teams behind Tokyo Cafe, Press Waffle Co.

4 ways to find new customers via social media

By Erik Swain, president of Respondology

Is the 'Groundhog Day effect' finally over for menu labeling?

by Betsy Craig — pres, menutrinfo.com

We can't predict what will happen over the next three months, but we do think the "Groundhog Day effect" is coming to an end for menu labeling.

Blaze Pizza fires up mobile learning

February 1, 2018

Blaze Pizza has partnered with PlayerLync to help enhance its mobile learning initiatives. The platform, which delivers learning management, operational…

Franchise Focus: 2 cousins sink teeth into fast casual pizza business

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

The restaurant business runs in the blood of Artichoke Basille Pizza Owners Francis Garcia and Sal Basille. The cousins grew up in New York working in their…

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers headed to Dubai

January 31, 2018

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has signed a development and master franchise agreement with Younata Investment Limited to bring its concept to the…

Chipotle offering free delivery for Super Bowl weekend

January 31, 2018

Fans in the 40 major metropolitan areas in the U.S. markets where Postmates delivers can place their delivery orders online or on the Postmates app using the…

&Pizza circles Pi Day to 'put a ring on it'

January 31, 2018

That day every year when the pizza industry hijacks a celebration of the mathematics behind the circumference of a circle — i.e., Pi Day — this year brings a…

5 tips for finding the best location for your brand

Fast casual franchisees should consider a few specific components when determining the perfect spot for their next storefronts:

Hot Head Burritos rolls out cloud-based POS system

January 30, 2018

Hot Head Burritos has rolled out, across its 72 units, a cloud-based Brink POS system from ParTech Inc., according to a company press release. Being a…

US restaurant chains relying on value meals, new menu items to drive traffic in 2018

January 30, 2018

With restaurant traffic stuck between a 1 percent increase and flat for several years now, U.S. restaurant chains are turning to value deals, new menu items…

California Tortilla expanding in North Carolina, South Carolina, Kansas

January 30, 2018

California Tortilla is expanding its footprint outside the mid-Atlantic region and will soon debut locations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Kansas. This…