Appetize names 2 new executives

February 26, 2020

Appetize Technologies Inc., a cloud point-of-sale solutions provider, announced two additions to the company’s leadership team: Craig Gatarz, executive vice…

Chipotle intros queso blanco

February 26, 2020

Chipotle Mexican Grill has announced its Queso Blanco menu item, which will be available across the U.S. on Feb. 27. This recipe features aged Monterey Jack…

I Heart Mac & Cheese to open with a splash in California

February 26, 2020

I Heart Mac & Cheese will debut in California in big style after signing a four-store franchise development deal with Jason Mejia.

Ono Hawaiian BBQ hitting 100 units by year's end

February 26, 2020

Ono Hawaiian BBQ, which opened 12 stores in 2019, is adding another 12 to 14 units by the end of the year, putting it over the 100-store mark. 

Jimmy John's removes sprouts after FDA issues E coli warning

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 26, 2020

Jimmy John's has removed sprouts from all of its 2,800 locations after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent Jimmy John's CEO James North a warning…

Uber Eats VP steps down amid fierce delivery competition

February 26, 2020

Uber Eats vice president Jason Droege announced he is stepping down as head of the mobile restaurant food delivery service. The opening will be filled by…

Farmer Boys changing name to Farmer Girls?

February 25, 2020

Farmer Boys, a Southern California-based fast casual concept known for its burgers, is celebrating Women's History Month throughout March by changing its name…

Franchisors enjoy more protection under final joint-employee ruling

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 25, 2020

Suing parent companies whose franchisees are involved in labor law violations just got harder. The National Labor Relations Board Tuesday reversed the Obama…

Cosi files for bankruptcy protection — again

February 25, 2020

Cosi Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and closed 30 stores. It's the second bankruptcy filing since 2016 for the Boston-based fast casual…

Pollo Tropical bringing the 'Miami Heat'

February 25, 2020

The Heat is on at Pollo Tropical as the brand is now an official partner of the Miami Heat in a three-year deal, featuring in-game promotions during home…

Shares of Shake Shack fall on revenue miss, slower transition to GrubHub

by David Jones — Editor, Networld Media Group

February 25, 2020

Shares of the fast casual chain were down sharply after the company missed revenue estimates, reported weaker same-store sales and warned that the conversion…

Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade making franchise push

February 24, 2020

Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade is riding a wave of expansion after recently moving its home base from Hawaii to Arizona. With four franchise locations in the…

Brothers team up to bring Dickey's to Chicago

February 24, 2020

Two entrepreneurial brothers are teaming up to bring Dickey's Barbecue Pit to Broadview, Illinois.

Dat Dog eyeing Sunshine state for expansion

February 21, 2020

New Orleans-based Dat Dog is planning to expand beyond its four Louisiana locations into Florida, looking to open six units in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Fort…

Ike's Love & Sandwiches inks multi-unit Denver deal

February 21, 2020

Father and daughter franchisees Blair and Camille Woodfield have signed a multi-unit franchise deal with Ike's Love & Sandwiches for five locations in the…

Dave's Hot Chicken signs 10-unit agreement

February 21, 2020

Dave's Hot Chicken, a Los Angeles-based street food concept, has inked a 10-unit franchise agreement with Carl L. Karcher of CLK Inc., who owns over 100 Carl's…

Dickey's opening in Pakistan

February 21, 2020

Dallas-based Dickey's Barbecue Pit is expanding to Pakistan via a franchise deal with A.J. Corporation. The first location will open later this year in…

Mamoun's Falafel opening 4th Jersey store

February 21, 2020

Middle Eastern fast casual Mamoun's Falafel is opening another New Jersey location, this time in Paramus.

Focus Brands names former Hilton EVP new CEO

February 20, 2020

Multi QSR brand parent company Focus Brands today announced that former Hilton Worldwide EVP Jim Holthouser will be the foodservice company's new CEO. He…

The Italian Place launches franchising initiative

February 20, 2020

The Italian Place, a fast casual in Alexandria, Virginia, has begun a franchising initiative to expand its business. The fast casual has been serving the…