Chipotle 'chats' up Facebook, rolls out app in Canada

June 18, 2020

Chipotle Mexican Grill has rolled out a series of innovations to its digital platform, including an app for Canadian customers and a chatbot for Facebook users

Webinar to reveal 4 strategies to help restaurants prosper amid COVID-19

June 17, 2020

Everyone knows these are challenging times with COVID-19, but people still need to eat, and restaurants are finding new ways to serve them. 

Peet's Coffee reopening 17 locations

June 17, 2020

After reopening nearly 50 locations in May, Peet’s Coffee has added 17 more units to the list of its operating cafes. This wave includes locations in are…

Seattle council green lights hazard pay for food delivery workers

June 17, 2020

Food delivery vendors in Seattle now will pay drivers $2.50 per delivery in addition to standard pay rates thanks to a new law approved by the city council.

Jimmy John's launches BOGO campaign

June 17, 2020

Jimmy John's has launched a national campaign highlighting its buy-one-get-one-50% off sandwich offer available through July 5.  When guests buy any 8-inch or…

Mooyah opening in Times Square

June 17, 2020

Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes is opening its flagship restaurant in New York City's Times Square at the ground floor of the Moxy Hotel.

Artichoke Basille's bursts on to Arizona pizza scene

June 17, 2020

Artichoke Basille's Pizza has opened its first Arizona location on East Baseline Road in South Tempe. The store is also the first for local franchisees and…

Blaze Pizza's 1-day LTO 'Clawing' its way into customers' hearts

June 17, 2020

Blaze Pizza has developed a White Claw Pizza and is offering it one-day-only — Thursday —  at 40 of its stores. The pie pizza crust is made with the hard…

Ritual to launch contactless ordering tool for Chicago restaurants

June 16, 2020

Ritual, a Toronto-based mobile ordering startup, has launched a tool in the U.S. — Ritual One — to allow small, independent restaurants in Chicago provide…

B Nutritious launches franchise program

June 16, 2020

B Nutritious, a health-focused fast casual and meal preparation concept, has launched a national franchise program.

Partech teams up with Techknow to upgrade drive-thru offerings

June 15, 2020

POS provider ParTech Inc. has partnered with Techknow, a multi-sensor drive-thru management solution company, to equip restaurants with drive-thru timers and…

US restaurant transaction decline easing up a bit

June 15, 2020

U.S. restaurant chain customer transactions were down -14% for the week ending June 7, revealing improvement for an industry hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Franchise vets consulting for independent restaurateurs

June 15, 2020

Franchise Growth Solutions LLC has added a division to teach independent restaurateurs how franchise companies reduce food, paper, beverage, labor and other…

Pandemic forces Souplantation, Sweet Tomatoes into bankruptcy

June 15, 2020

Garden Fresh Restaurants LLC, which owns Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection and is liquidating all…

Dickey's Barbecue Pit teams with grocery chain to expand bean brand

June 12, 2020

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is partnering with Harps, an Arkansas-based gorveyr chain, to expand its barbecue beans brand.

Tyson Foods cooperates with feds on chicken price fixing investigation

June 12, 2020

Tyson Foods, Inc. is cooperating with the U.S. Department of Justice on a price fixing justification in the chicken industry, the company announced in a press…

&Pizza urging employees to vote, offering PTO on Nov 3

June 12, 2020

In an effort to encourage its employees and communities to vote in this year's presidential election, &pizza won't open locations on Nov. 3. CEO Michael…

The Wing Experience opening virtual restaurant in Chicago

June 12, 2020

The Wing Experience, a virtual restaurant created by the full-service brand, Smokey Bones, is opening Friday in Chicago's Kitchen United ghost kitchen space at…

New CMO upping Yoshinoya Japanese Kitchen's digital game

June 12, 2020

Yoshinoya America, known for its Japanese-inspired rice bowls, has launched its first loyalty program, Yoshinoya Rewards, as well as digital ordering for…

Social media backlash leads to Starbucks reversing ban on Black Lives Matter apparel

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

June 12, 2020

After enduring a social media backlash Thursday, Starbucks has not only reversed its policy on banning employees from wearing apparel in support of Black Lives…