Drnk Coffee + Tea and Quench on franchise mission

September 19, 2017

Drnk coffee + tea and Quench juice bar — sister brands based in California — are expanding via multi-unit development deals for Long Island, Houston and Los…

Boston Market serving US military in Puerto Rico

September 19, 2017

Boston Market is celebrating the grand opening of its newest restaurant at the Fort Buchanan U.S. military base in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The restaurant…

Fatburger signs major franchise deal in Texas

September 19, 2017

Fat Brands, parent company of Fatburger sister brand — Buffalo's Express —  has announced a master franchise deal to open 50 co-branded restaurants across…

Billy Sims signing autographs at latest opening

September 19, 2017

Former NFL player Bill Sims, who co-founded Billy Sims BBQ, will sign autographs on Sept. 23 at the chain’s latest opening in Ada, Oklahoma. Also, the first 2…

Luna Grill receives growth investment

September 19, 2017

Luna Grill has received an equity investment from PWP Growth Equity specifically targeted to spur growth in both existing and new marekts, according to a…

PJ's Coffee brewing national franchise opportunities

September 19, 2017

PJ's Coffee of New Orleans is hoping to take a venti-sized piece out of the $100 billion-a-year coffee industry, anticipating 100 locations open by the end of…

Some fast casuals still pumped for pumpkin, others heating things up: part 2

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

While some fall LTOs are heavy on pumpkin-flavored everything, others include big, bold and spicy flavors inspired by Asian, Hispanic and African dishes.

Restaurant traffic growing in every market outside US

September 19, 2017

With the U.S. being the exception, foodservice markets across the world reported various degrees of visit growth in Q2 ending in June, according to The NPD…

Independent restaurateur juggles highs, lows of adding self-order kiosks (Part 2)

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The co-founder of Flatbread Grill and an exec from Nextep give advice on how to avoid headaches when deploying kiosks.

Dickey's hopes to score with KC Chiefs fans

September 18, 2017

Kansas City Chiefs fans Sunday not only celebrated opening day with a win against the Philadelphia Eagles at Arrowhead Stadium, they also got their share of…

Pita Pit hires former Firehouse Subs exec

September 18, 2017

Pita Pit has tapped Firehouse Subs' former VP of marketing to fill the same role at pita brand. Doug Reifschneider, who is credited with growing Firehouse's…

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

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, 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 — Publisher, 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…