Big Chicken signs 45-unit deal for Florida

September 8, 2022

Big Chicken, founded by basketball Hall of Famer and entrepreneur Shaquille O'Neal, has inked a 45-unit deal with DMD Ventures encompassing Orlando, Tampa…

Slim Chickens takes South Dakota, Iowa

September 8, 2022

Slim Chickens is expanding its presence throughout eastern South Dakota and northwest Iowa via existing franchisee Todd Porter of TNT Chicken.

Free webinar to teach viewers how to recession-proof restaurants

September 8, 2022

It's been a rough couple of years for many restaurants. Between supply and labor shortages, the pandemic and a likely recession, restaurants are feeling the…

Velvet Taco opening 23rd Texas location

September 8, 2022

Dallas-based Velvet Taco is opening its 23rd Texas location next month in Houston's Memorial City, marking its 35th location overall. The store will maximize…

Cafe Rio adding 3 stores in Utah

September 8, 2022

Cafe Rio Mexican Grill, which opened in 1997 in southern Utah, is adding three locations to its home state by year's end.

Panera testing CarPay

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

September 8, 2022

Panera Bread is testing CarPlay in some stores, allowing loyalty members with iPhones to access the Panera app to place an order from their car dashboards.

WaBa Grill's Q2 same-store sales up 2%

September 7, 2022

WaBa Grill has reported that its Q2 same-store sales rose to $43.7 million — up 2.2% from the previous year.

ClusterTruck founder rolls out self-tested delivery platform

September 7, 2022

Chris Baggott and Meredith Sandland have created Empower Delivery, a software company that allows delivery-centric restaurants to profitably and sustainably…

Panera testing AI at the drive-thru

September 7, 2022

Panera Bread is testing AI technology in drive-thru lanes in an effort to improve and enhance the guest experience.

Chipotle teams up with NFL stars to launch LTOs

September 7, 2022

Chipotle Mexican Grill is teaming up with NFL wide receivers CeeDee Lamb, Michael Irvin, Dez Bryant and Drew Pearson to launch a national television commercial…

I Heart Mac and Cheese signs 1st international deal

September 6, 2022

I Heart Mac & Cheese is planting a flag in Ontario, Canada, thanks to an agreement with franchisee Hirad Sorkhab.

Starbird flocks to franchising

September 6, 2022

Starbird has launched a national franchise program to expand to Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Illinois and Florida.

Au Bon Pain reveals 'bold' prototype

September 6, 2022

Au Bon Pain has revealed a store design that promotes convenience and off-premise dining without straying from the chain's roots as a French bakery, Au Bon…

Freddy's rolls out online fundraising platform

September 6, 2022

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has tapped Force4Good as its online platform for community fundraising.

Jamba launches boba, marketing campaign

September 6, 2022

Jamba fans may now add Strawberry Bursting Boba and Sweet Tapioca Boba pearls to their smoothies, bowls or iced beverages. The boba launch is also the brand's…

Taking a lunch break benefits diners, restaurants

September 6, 2022

Taking that lunch break, an act nearly 40% of people do occasionally, rarely or never, offers up a slew of benefits to both dining patrons and restaurants.

Yo-Kai Express teams with Ippudo, TableMark on ramen udon autonomous restaurant

September 5, 2022

Yo-Kai Express Inc., a Silicon Valley-based maker of a machine that creates hot ramen noodles on demand, has teamed with TableMark, a frozen food manufacturer…

Freddy's adds to leadership team

September 5, 2022

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has named Brian Wise as COO and Jerry Kunz as VP of finance.

The Great Greek Mediterranean adding to Michigan footprint

September 2, 2022

The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, owned by United Franchise Group, has opened a location at 8233 Byron Center Ave., SW in Byron Center, Michigan, under the…

Why restaurants are dropping phone lines for voice bot systems

September 1, 2022

More restaurants are replacing direct phone lines with voice bots to allow workers to focus on serving, cooking and internal operations.