'On the 4th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me' ... mobile ordering?

by Cherryh Butler — editor, fcc

As the holidays near, a few fast casuals are gifting their customers with a faster and easier mobile experience.

Pop's Italian Beef & Sausage launches franchise plans

December 16, 2016

Chicago's Pop's Italian Beef & Sausage has launched a franchising plan to expand its footprint across the country. The chain has just 14 existing shops…

Zoup breaks ground in Long Island

December 16, 2016

Zoup has broken ground in the hamlet of Carle Place in Long Island, New York. The restaurant, which is under construction at 19 Old Country Rd. in the Country…

Rise Biscuits raising Kentucky presence

December 16, 2016

North Carolina-based Rise Biscuits Donuts has signed a multi-state development agreement with MDO Holdings to introduce the concept to Georgia, South Carolina…

Vapiano franchising CEO named to exec board

December 16, 2016

Vapiano CEO Mario C. Bauer, will take a seat Jan 1, 2017, on the executive board for Vapiano SE, with responsibilities for developing new markets, new market…

Chipotle adds 4 board members

December 16, 2016

As part of its recent leadership shake-up, which named Steve Ells as sole CEO, Chipotle has added four members to its board of directors. Paul T.

Study: Customer data is growing player in restaurant marketing

December 16, 2016

Research from Winterberry Group found that guest data plays a key role in the way restaurants handle challenges, including increased competition, declining…

Former Captain D's employee opens location in Myrtle Beach

December 15, 2016

 A new Captain D's unit has opened in Myrtle Beach with franchisees, Scottie Smith and Robert Brooks at the helm, according to a press release. Smith…

Two emerging brands pick starrdesign for prototype designs

December 15, 2016

Original Chopshop and Ruggles Green, two emerging restaurants based in Phoenix and Houston, respectively, have selected starrdesign to create prototype designs…

Dickey's contractor opens 9 units around Los Angeles

December 15, 2016

After literally building Dickey's Barbecue Pit from the ground up as the concept's California general contractor, Caleb Cabrera took a leap of faith and opened…

4 union organization changes restaurateurs need to know

Restaurant operators must take the time now to learn how recent union-relaterd labor rulings from the National Labor Relations Board may affect their…

Pret a Manger 1st US chain to issue humane commitment for chickens

December 15, 2016

Pret A Manger is the first U.S. national restaurant chain to commit to improvements for the welfare of the chickens raised for its food operations, according…

Blaze opens 3rd Massachusetts site

December 15, 2016

Blaze Fast Fire'd Pizza is opening its third Massachusetts location on Monday in Boston, according to a company news release. The City Place site on Stuart…

Blast & Brew taps into allure of personal choice

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

The new Blast & Brew pizza and beer franchise gives customers creative choice regarding what's on their plates and how they most prefer to wash it down. Here…

Why Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit is taking on London

Restaurant franchises hoping to grow in the UK must embrace innovation and technology.

Delivery data: Mac and cheese, oxtail soup top 2016 at-home orders

December 15, 2016

The market for home-meal delivery grew substantially over the past year, and Grubhub, a mobile food-ordering company, has used data about those deliveries to…

Wing it during the Citrus Bowl

December 14, 2016

College football bowl season is here, and Buffalo Wild Wings announced several promotions to help fans when they're in the stadium, restaurant or online to…

MicroSale releases $49-a-month POS system

December 14, 2016

A cheap, tablet-based POS system for small restaurants is now available from MicroSale POS Systems, according to a press release. It comes with an…

Johnny Rockets tests self-order kiosks in moving to a QSR format

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Self-order kiosks play an important role in moving to more of a quick-serve format for Johnny Rockets as the 30-year-old iconic brand seeks to refresh itself.

Vegan fast casual signs 1st franchisee

December 14, 2016

Fala Bar, a vegan fast casual concept with two locations in Los Angeles, has closed its first franchise deal. The franchisee is evaluating trade areas in…