Has pumpkin peaked? Fall menus embracing innovative ingredients (part 1)

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Because pumpkin spice has become so ubiquitous across the industry, Americans are now looking for newer, more flavorful offerings.

GrabaGreen grows in Colorado

September 15, 2017

Arizona-based Grabbagreen has opened its third Colorado location, a news release said. The store in The Grove Shopping Center just north of Cabelas in…

Sweetfrog focusing on non-traditional units to fuel growth

September 15, 2017

SweetFrog Frozen Yogurt is in growth mode, securing 35 franchise deals as of Sept. 1, according to a company press release.

5 ways to catch some Zzzs — and we aren't talking sleep

Gen Zs are the patrons of the present and the future, and as this demographic gets older their buying power and influence will continue increase.

Moe's Southwest Grill opening 700th unit

September 15, 2017

East Brunswick, New Jersey, will soon be home to the 700th Moe's Southwest Grill.

Lemonade hires former Pei Wei, Wetzel's Pretzels execs

September 14, 2017

California's Lemonade Restaurant Group has added to its leadership team, naming Ame Hull COO and Michael Nishi CFO, according to a company press release.

Franchising Focus: BurgerFi CEO talks growth, labor, technology

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

CEO Corey Winograd discusses his plans for the brand and how he maintains success.

Tony Packo's creates new fast casual brand

September 14, 2017

Toledo-based Tony Packo's has spun off a fast casual brand to serve its Hungarian hot dogs. Packo's Eastern European Kitchen, now open at 3348 Secor Road in…

Russo's gets 'bigger in Texas'

September 14, 2017

Russo’s New York Pizzeria opened its second Austin, Texas, location this week on Research Boulevard at the Arboretum. The new store joins an existing…

Captain D's opens 72nd Tennessee unit

September 14, 2017

Captain D's has opened the 72nd franchised location in its homebase state of Tennessee, this one in Cordova. The opening is part of the chain's planned…

Former Quizno's, TCBY exec takes SVP title at Capriotti's Sandwich Shop

September 13, 2017

Capriotti's Sandwich Shop has named Jane McPherson its SVP of marketing. The former marketing VP of Famous Brands International led the revitalization of the…

4 ways to tap into data for better decision-making

By Mike Shipley, director of analytics & insight solutions, Fourth

Tinder-like app hopes to drive restaurant traffic

September 13, 2017

Restaurant brands now have another way to reach customers, thanks to FoodFaves, an app that crowdsources pictures of users' favorite foods, helping…

Consumers spending $181 billion on beverages

September 13, 2017

Restaurants hoping to increase check spend should pour some energy into their beverage offerings, according to Technomic’s 2017 Away-From-Home Beverage Study.

Mamoun's Falafel prepping Dallas debut

September 13, 2017

New York City's oldest falafel restaurant, Mamoun's Falafel, will open its first Texas location in Dallas come this fall.

Juice It Up! to open two California locations under veteran franchise agreement

September 13, 2017

Juice It Up!, a raw juice bar and hand-crafted smoothie chain, will open two additional locations in the Inland Empire under a franchise agreement with Marine…

Whataburger launches unique Snapchat charity-focused contest

September 12, 2017

Whataburger fans can hit Snapchat for a chance to win 1,000 Taquitos, $1,000 for the charity of their choice as well the opportunity to "take over" the brand's…

Schlotzsky's marks 6-year anniversary of supporting Type 1 diabetes research

September 12, 2017

Schlotzsky's is nearing its $1 million donation mark for juvenile diabetes research and now plans to run a "Give $1, Get $1" promotion to push things over the…

McAlister's, Moe's, Schlotzsky's VP: 'How fast casuals can win in college markets'

he college market demographic is a prime testing ground to perfect what consumers need and want

Tropical Smoothie shows lots of love to City of Brotherly Love

September 11, 2017

Pennsylvania's renowned "City of Brotherly Love" is getting a whole bunch of the sweet stuff from the Tropical Smoothie Cafe brand, which today announced an…