The Habit Burger Grill adding to SoCal presence

December 14, 2021

The Habit Burger Grill, a California-based fast casual owned by YUM Brands, is opening this week at 20445 Sherman Way in L.A.'s Canoga Park.

Luckin Coffee improves Q3 2021 sales, earnings

December 13, 2021

Luckin Coffee, a pioneer in coffee vending and a competitor to Starbucks in China which recently entered into a restructuring support agreement with…

PappaRoti opens 4th Michigan location

December 13, 2021

PappaRoti has opened its fourth location in Michigan. The coffee shop franchise has opened stores around the United States, including in Illinois and Nebraska…

Teriyaki Madness signs 15-unit deal for San Antonio

December 13, 2021

Teriyaki Madness, a Seattle-style teriyaki shop based in Colorado, is opening in San Antonio following a three-unit deal with Daniel Gifford and Gilberto…

Torchy's Tacos offering on-demand pay to employees

December 13, 2021

Austin-based Torchy's Tacos is providing hourly employees with access to their earned wages as they need. Through a partnership with DailyPay, a provider of…

FAT Brands inks Libya deal to open 10 co-branded locations

December 10, 2021

FAT Brands Inc., the parent company of Fatburger, Johnny Rockets and 13 other restaurant concepts, has signed a deal to open 10 co-branded locations in Libya.

Chicken Salad Chick opens 36th Georgia unit

December 10, 2021

Chicken Salad Chick is opening next week in Tifton, Georgia, marking the state's 36th location. Featuring a drive-thru and patio seating and located at 2202 US…

At least 1 Starbucks to unionize

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

December 10, 2021

Despite a letter sent this week to Starbucks employees from CEO Kevin Johnson reminding them that they were the "heartbeat of this company," workers at the…

Fatburger, Buffalo's Express make Arkansas debut

December 9, 2021

FAT Brands Inc., the parent company of Fatburger, Buffalo's Express, and 13 other restaurant concepts, has opened a co-branded Fatburger and Buffalo's Express…

Fazoli’s, FAT Brands CEOs keynoting RFIS 2022

December 9, 2021

Fazoli's and FAT Brands made headlines last month when their CEOs Carl Howard and Andy Widerhorn, respectively, announced that FAT Brands was acquiring the…

Fast casual concept opens within 'healthy food desert'

December 9, 2021

Greenbar, a healthy fast casual concept committed to serving communities within healthy food deserts, debuted this month in Ft. Washington, Maryland, 35 miles…

Americans won't return to pre-pandemic dining habits

December 9, 2021

Almost two-thirds (64%) of consumers do not plan to return to their pre-pandemic habits of dining in restaurants within the next six months, according to a…

Hoots, Hooters names Marketing VP

December 9, 2021

HOA Brands, the franchisor of Hooters as well as its fast casual brand, Hoots Wings, has promoted Monica Fleury to vice president of brand marketing.

Panera, Tik Toker reveal ugly holiday cups

December 8, 2021

Move over, ugly holiday sweaters, and make room for ugly cups.

Nextbite launches Asian restaurant

December 8, 2021

Nextbite, a provider of virtual restaurants, has launched its first Asian cuisine brand — Lucky Dragon Fried Rice — a street fare-inspired, delivery-only menu…

Zunzi's launching regional franchise program

December 7, 2021

Zunzi's, a 16-year-old takeout shop known for its South African-inspired sandwiches, is launching a regional franchise program aimed at expanding the Savannah…

Slim Chickens inks largest franchise deal in brand history

December 7, 2021

Slim Chickens has inked a deal for the state of Indiana and the Southeast region of Florida for a total of 60 locations, the largest deal in the brand's…

Acrelec acquires OrderMatic

December 7, 2021

Acrelec, a manufacturer of customer experience software and hardware solutions, has acquired Oklahoma City-based OrderMatic technology for an undisclosed sum…

Woworks, Noodles & Co join Pathways to Black Franchise Ownership

December 7, 2021

Noodles & Co and WOWorks are the first restaurant franchise companies to adopt the Pathways to Black Franchise Ownership program.

Malaysia-born coffee shop opening near Chicago

December 7, 2021

PappaRoti, a 400-unit coffee shop based in Malaysia, is opening this month in Naperville, Illinois.