Video: Retailers dive into technology at Interactive Customer Experience Summit

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

The Interactive Customer Experience (ICX) Summit featured almost three days of education, networking and tours.

Whataburger caves to customers’ burger demands

June 28, 2016

Whataburger's Sweet & Spicy Bacon Burger, which was introduced last summer, has returned to the menu for a limited time. Fans took to social media to urge…

Cool off with Tropical Smoothie Cafe's summer menu items

June 28, 2016

Tropical Smoothie Café has announced two new summer menu items: Thai chicken and watermelon mojito smoothie.

&pizza celebrates Independence Day the all-American way

June 28, 2016

&pizza has announced the return of its bacon cheeseburger pizza and cherry bomb craft soda for a limited time, at all 13 locations.

Blaze Pizza preps 150th location, on target to hit 500 by 2019

June 28, 2016

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza is living up to its name as it's on pace to open its 500th location in three years time — which equates to an average of one new…

Culinar introduces online ordering service

June 28, 2016

Culinar has launched its online ordering service that allows businesses to reach current customers and market to new users by creating a no-hassle digital…

QikServe revs up mobile ordering for hospitality sector

June 28, 2016

QikServe, a mobile order and payment company, has launched QikServe 5, which is designed to speed up the integration of mobile ordering and payment technology…

GE sells off restaurant assets of lending arm in massive 3-way deal

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

GE Capital U.S. is selling the bulk of its restaurant financing assets, which are worth about $1.4 billion.

Juice It Up! continues strong performance with 10% jump in same-store sales

June 28, 2016

Juice It Up!, a raw juice and smoothie franchise, finished Q2 with a same-store sales increase of 10 percent compared to the previous year. It finished Q1 up…

Captain D's sails into new location

June 28, 2016

Captain D's seafood has opened its ninth Arkansas location, at 2207 West Walnut Street. The location is the second for franchisees Brian Smith and Rodney Coat…

Chipotle is making summer a rewarding time

June 27, 2016

Chipotle is kicking off a new rewards program starting July 1. The Chiptopia Summer Rewards offers free food and bonus rewards for customer visits.

Chicken Salad Chick names new marketing and franchise development chiefs

June 27, 2016

Chicken Salad Chick has named Tom Carr as vice president of marketing and Carrie Evans as director of franchise development.

Au Bon Pain cools down with new summer menu items

June 27, 2016

Au Bon Pain has introduced new menu items. The main dishes include a Monterey chicken sandwich and a two tomato caprese sandwich, as well as breakfast items…

GoodData report highlights big data role for restaurants

June 27, 2016

Big data can help restaurant owners analyze customer location-based information which can lead to improved customer service and improve overall business.

Why relationship building is critical for a successful franchise

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

Whether you're a franchisor or a franchisee there is one big common aspect tied to everyone's success: a supportive, collaborative, trusting relationship.

Branding local? Try these 3 strategies

Your restaurant may have a delicious menu, unique concept and four-star customer service, but in the current restaurant landscape, the only way to achieve…

Hot Italian is a healthful Italian

June 24, 2016

Hot Italian Pizza is not only "hot" but healthful, according to a national body that certifies restaurant products that meet benchmarks for nutritional and…

Lime Fresh Mexican expanding in South Florida

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

June 24, 2016

Despite its recent sale of six Florida units to Rubio's Restaurants, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill will expand its presence in South Florida when two existing…

Study: Customers still singing 'ode to the sandwich'

June 24, 2016

The popularity of the sandwich isn't slowing down, according to Technavio analysts, who recently predicted the global sandwich market will exceed $9 billion by…

National Retail Federation asks U.S. House to put OT regulation 'on pause'

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

The House Small Business Committee this week got an earful from the National Retail Federation on the Federal overtime regulations set to become effective Dec.