LeBron James teams up with Old El Paso to create fast casual concept

February 22, 2022

NBA star LeBron James and Old El Paso have teamed up to create The Taco Shop by Old El Paso in Akron, Ohio.

Clean Juice reports 'best fourth quarter ever'

February 22, 2022

Despite the ongoing global pandemic and seasonality impact, North Carolina-based Clean Juice reported its best fourth quarter ever, including a cumulative…

Pokeworks upgrades website, app

February 22, 2022

Irvine, California-based Pokeworks has launched a website and app to improve online ordering capabilities and its loyalty experience by partnering with Koala…

Aldi tests robotic pizza vending machine in Australia

February 21, 2022

Aldi has introduced a robotic pizza vending machine on a test basis at its store in North Sydney, Australia that serves freshly baked pizza in under two…

The Habit Burger opening locations in Arizona, North Carolina

February 21, 2022

California-based The Habit Burger Grill is opening two locations this week — one in Phoenix, Arizona, and one in Burlington, North Carolina. Each will offer…

Scooter's opening Atlanta-based distribution center

February 21, 2022

Omaha-based Scooter's Coffee is opening an Atlanta-area distribution center in May with Harvest Roasting, its branded, vertically integrated supply chain…

I Heart Mac N Cheese opening drive-thru location

February 18, 2022

South Florida-based I Heart Mac & Cheese is opening its first drive-up pickup window location next week in Gulfport, Mississippi. Dubbed, "FastMac," the…

Qdoba enhances loyalty app

February 18, 2022

Qdoba has revamped its rewards program, making it easier for customers to earn free food, CEO Keith Guilbault said in a company press release.

Grubhub partners with Indeed to aid in hiring crisis

February 18, 2022

Grubhub has partnered with Indeed to help restaurants with their staffing needs.

Shake Shack raising prices, focusing on drive-thru

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 18, 2022

Although Shake Shack implemented a 3% price hike last year, wage and supply inflation are triggering another round of price increases, CEO Randy Garutti said…

UT alum opening Fajita Pete's in Austin

February 17, 2022

Since 2020, Austin has grown by half a million residents, making it the perfect city for Fajita Pete's, according to franchisee Michael Blalock, a University…

Freddy's sees sales, unit growth

February 16, 2022

For Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, 2021 was a year filled with success. The Wichita, Kansas-based chain reported a 17.8% increase in systemwide…

Celebrity chef opening fast casual dessert concept

February 16, 2022

Celebrity Chef Fabio Viviani has created Jars, a fast-casual dessert concept leveraging the latest technology and labor-saving cooking techniques to produce…

Smokey Bones launching first drive-thru

February 16, 2022

Smokey Bones, which has 61 full-service locations in 16 states, is adding a digital drive-thru lane to its restaurants with the first opening in April in…

Dog Haus stretching growth potential

February 16, 2022

After opening 13 locations in 2021, Pasadena-based Dog Haus has 20 more locations under construction or in the pipeline for Florida, Kentucky, Michigan…

New York Congressman seeks $60B for Restaurant Revitalization Fund

February 16, 2022

Joe Morelle U.S. Congressman Joe Morelle on Tuesday stood alongside foodservice operators to call for the replenishment of the Restaurant…

Wingstop investing $50M in tech

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 16, 2022

Although Wingstop's Q4 domestic same-store sales increased 7.5%, the Texas-based chain suffered a net income loss of $6.4 million, or 21 cents per share…

Newk's rolls out drive-thru prototype

February 15, 2022

Mississippi-based Newk's Eatery is making its Fort Smith, Arkansas, debut next week with its first drive-thru prototype.

Smoothie King testing order-to-text platform

February 15, 2022

Smoothie King is testing a text-to-order platform in Chicago and Jacksonville with the goal of offering a more modern guest experience while driving top-line…

Fazoli's surges into 2022

February 15, 2022

Fazoli's, owned by FAT Brands Inc., finished 2021 on a growth spurt.