How Sankranti built its own fast-casual Indian food playbook

Srinivasa “Nimms” Nimmagadda and his team spent years developing a fast-casual Indian food concept playbook through Sankranti Indian Kitchen. Now the company…

Belle Holdings opens 10th Buffalo Wild Wings GO in Virginia

September 14, 2026

Belle Holdings Inc., led by franchisee Kevin Donham, will open its 10th Buffalo Wild Wings GO location in Virginia on Sept. 17 in Henrico County. The…

Wonder debuts automated bowl-assembly system, plans Northeast and Texas expansion

September 14, 2026

Wonder has launched a fully automated bowl assembly system called the Infinite Makeline as it looks to scale its chef-led, made-to-order food model, the…

Pepper Lunch North America CEO Troy Hooper steps down, shifts to adviser role

September 11, 2026

Pepper Lunch North America CEO Troy Hooper is stepping down from day-to-day operations to become a strategic adviser to the board, effective Sept. 25.

The Big Greek Cafe partners with Deliverect, Thanx to streamline digital ordering

September 11, 2026

Fast-casual concept Big Greek Cafe is revamping its tech infrastructure, selecting digital restaurant platforms Deliverect and Thanx to unify ordering, direct…

Qdoba signs 17-unit development agreement in San Diego County

September 11, 2026

Qdoba Mexican Eats has signed a development agreement with Hyperion Brands to open 17 restaurants across San Diego County, California.

Nominations are open: Is your fast casual brand one to watch in 2027?

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Nominations close Oct. 5, 2026.

Taco Bell Cantina opens inside Allegiant Stadium

September 11, 2026

Diversified Restaurant Group has announced in a new release the opening of a Taco Bell Cantina inside Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, marking the first Taco…

Rusty Taco expands nontraditional footprint through airport, entertainment venues

September 11, 2026

Rusty Taco is expanding its national footprint through nontraditional venues, including airports, convenience stores and entertainment destinations. The…

Wingstop kicks off football season with Lemon Pepper Trio

September 11, 2026

Wingstop is kicking off the 2026-27 football season with its limited-time Lemon Pepper Trio, featuring its original Lemon Pepper flavor alongside two new…

How Penn Station is winning over Gen Z without discounting

Penn Station President Lance Vaught and Curion's Thomas Gilbert join Fast Casual Nation to break down how the 40-year-old sandwich brand is winning over Gen Z…

Presented by Curion Insights

Why Jersey Mike’s is no longer renting the customer

The shift toward first-party ordering is happening alongside another important change in the company's growth strategy: Jersey Mike’s is deliberately relying…

WOWorks unleashes tiered franchise incentives, co-branding discounts to drive growth

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

September 10, 2026

WOWorks, the parent company behind Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, The Simple Greek, Barberitos and Zoup Eatery, has launched a…

Wings Etc. wants to make Ranch more than a side: Enter the 'Ranch Flight'

September 10, 2026

Wings Etc. will launch a limited-time Ranch Flight Sept. 15, allowing customers to choose three of five ranch-based sauces. The lineup includes House Ranch…

Everbowl expands Arizona presence with South Peoria opening

September 10, 2026

Carlsbad, California-based Everbowl opened a location Sept. 3 at 8402 W. Thunderbird Road in South Peoria, Arizona.

6 ways c-stores and grocers are stealing fast casual lunch traffic

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

A Toast study reveals how cash-flush retailers are leveraging AI, prepared foods and aggressive hiring to win dining dollars.

National Restaurant Association launches 'Made in Restaurants' initiative

September 9, 2026

The National Restaurant Association has launched "Made in Restaurants," a national initiative designed to showcase the restaurant industry's role in shaping…

Pita Pit's Crispy Donair raises a question: Isn't this just a sandwich?

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

A sandwich by any other name would taste as sweet?

Sweetgreen to open 1st Jacksonville, Florida, location

September 9, 2026

Sweetgreen is expanding into northeast Florida with the upcoming opening of its first Jacksonville location at 4624 Town Crossing Drive. The 2,560-square-foot…

Houston TX Hot Chicken shares UK opening timelines

September 9, 2026

Houston TX Hot Chicken has announced opening timeframes for two U.K. restaurants, a little more than two months after signing a master franchise agreement to…