Shake Shack raising funds to add drive-thrus, digital upgrades

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

March 2, 2021

Shake Shack is borrowing $225 million from private investors to pay for drive-thrus and other new store formats. The New York-based chain is offering $22…

Pizza execs will discuss how to hire, train, retain great employees

March 1, 2021

A restaurant brand is only as strong as its employees, which is why QSRWeb has tapped Hotbox Pizza Founder Gabe Connell and Mary Kay Haas, Pizza Factory's…

Little Caesars franchisee opening Mutts locations in Arizona

March 1, 2021

Mutts Canine Cantina, a restaurant for dogs and their owners, will open six locations in Phoenix via a franchise agreement with Cafrema Investments, which owns…

Mooyah launching coffeehouse-inspired LTOs

March 1, 2021

Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes is testing two coffeehouse-inspired menu items, the Bistro Burger and Coffee Shake, available now through April 25.

Yogurtland sowing its oats

March 1, 2021

Yogurtland has created its first oat milk-based addition, the Plant-Based Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookie, which tastes like a freshly baked cookie and is available…

El Pollo Loco heats up expansion plans in Colorado

March 1, 2021

El Pollo Loco Inc., a fire-grilled chicken and Mexican food chain, is planning its next wave of expansion in Colorado, according to a press release. Ten to 1…

Initiative to bring $100M to 1K Black-owned businesses

March 1, 2021

Looking to take a bite out of COVID-19 losses and rebuild a suffering segment of the economy, the Inclusivity Project is hoping to secure $100 million for…

RFIS postponed to August, Focus Brands president will keynote

March 1, 2021

Networld Media Group, the parent company of FastCasual, has postponed the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit to Aug. 10-12, according to Cherryh…

Dutch Bros Coffee brings back lavender cold brew

March 1, 2021

Dutch Bros Coffee is bringing back a customer favorite to its stores this spring: white chocolate lavender, according to a press release.

ParTech adds Lunchbox to POS ecosystem

February 26, 2021

ParTech Inc., a provider of POS software for the restaurant and retail industries, is weaving Lunchbox, a suite of online ordering tools, to its expanding…

National Restaurant Association cancels May show

February 26, 2021

Event organizers of the National Restaurant Association Show are cancelling the 2021 National Restaurant Association Show, which was scheduled May 22-25 at…

Dawn Gillis joins Freebirds World Burrito

February 26, 2021

Freebirds World Burrito has hired Dawn Gillis as Chief Technology Officer to help strengthen the restaurant's marketing and operations technology stack, which…

Burgerville, FlyBuy partner to offer real-time curbside pickup

February 26, 2021

Burgerville, a Pacific Northwest restaurant that serves burgers, fries, and shakes made with ingredients sourced from local farmers, ranchers and producers…

Clean Juice expanding to all 50 states

February 26, 2021

With a goal of operating in all 50 states, Clean Juice is on track to award over 60 franchise units in 2021, of which 35 will be open by year's end. The…

Hoots Wings inks 60-unit franchisee deal

February 26, 2021

Hoots Wings, the fast casual wing concept owned by Hooters, has signed its first franchise agreement since launching a franchising initiative last year.

Digital orders up nearly 275% at Mod Pizza

February 25, 2021

Although 2020 sales and revenue were slightly down for Mod Super-Fast Pizza's, CEO Scott Svenson was happy with the chain's 275% growth in digital sales as…

Checkers franchisee bringing Capriotti's to Fresno

February 25, 2021

Capriotti's Sandwich Shop has signed a franchise agreement to open three stores in Fresno, California, with the first opening in early spring at 5058 N. Palm…

Martha Stewart leading BurgerFi's innovation team

February 25, 2021

Florida-based BurgerFi International Inc. has named food entrepreneur and cultural icon, Martha Stewart, to its board of directors as the chair of the Product…

Making third-party delivery work for your brand

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 25, 2021

Although delivery has been available at Alfredo's Pizza since it opened over 20 years ago in West Babylon, New York, owner Rob Tarsio needed to streamline…

Philly airport piloting robotic food delivery

February 25, 2021

The contactless food ordering program at Philadelphia International Airport is piloting a robotic strategy with a gita (a robot featuring visual sensors) that…