I Heart Mac & Cheese inks 12 franchise agreements

April 23, 2021

Florida-based I Heart Mac & Cheese has signed 12 franchise agreements with seven new franchisees throughout the first quarter of 2021. In addition, the…

Corbett's Burgers & Soda Shop expands franchise opportunities

April 23, 2021

Corbett's Burgers & Soda Bar in Cary, North Carolina, is launching a national search for franchisees.

El Pollo Loco expanding Texas footprint

April 23, 2021

California-based El Pollo Loco Inc., which has 31 restaurants in Texas, is seeking franchisees to help it enter the state's markets of El Paso, Lubbock, Corpus…

Stan's Donuts & Coffee brings back summer menu

April 23, 2021

Stan's Donuts & Coffee, a Chicago-based donut shop, is offering fans a taste of summer with a line of new drinks, including the Red Velvet Frozen Hot…

Chicken Salad Chick hatches franchise plans for Virginia

April 22, 2021

Chicken Salad Chick is targeting the state of Virginia for franchise growth, aiming to open six locations via franchise partnerships over the next two years.

Brunch comes in a burger at The Habit Burger Grill

April 22, 2021

Who says brunch has to wait for the weekend? Thanks to the Habit Burger Grill's latest addition to its menu, The Brunch Charburger, customers can brunch any…

Chipotle squashes Q1 predictions

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

April 21, 2021

It's good to be in the burrito game these days as long as your digital playbook is just as strong. It's a strategy Chipotle seems to have under control…

Happy Joe’s waiving franchise fees to attract first-time owners

April 21, 2021

Iowa-based Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream, which hired Tom Sacco as CEO and president last year, has launched major expansion efforts, opening two…

Outer Banks Boil brings seafood fun to Virginia Beach

April 21, 2021

Grab the melted butter and lobster bib — North Carolina-based Outer Banks Boil Company — a takeout and catering franchise specializing in seafood boils, is…

Middleby to acquire Welbilt for $2.9B

April 21, 2021

The Middleby Corp. has agreed to acquire Welbilt, Inc. in an all-stock transaction, enhancing the Middleby commercial foodservice platform with additional…

Gordon Ramsay launching fast casual at Orlando's Icon Park

April 21, 2021

Renowned Chef Gordon Ramsay is bringing a fast casual fish and chips restaurant to Icon Park in Orlando come August.

Aloha Poke lands Texas-sized deal in Houston

April 21, 2021

Aloha Poke Co. is entering Texas with an 11-unit deal for the Houston area, which nearly doubles its total franchise locations and leads a long-term…

Sajj Mediterranean teams with Local Kitchens to grow customer base

April 21, 2021

Sajj Mediterranean is partnering with Local Kitchens, a digital food hall, to launch a "Sajj Kitchen" concept in Cupertino, California.

Focus Brands shakes up leadership team

April 20, 2021

Focus Brands — the parent company of Auntie Anne's, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, Moe's Southwest Grill, McAlister's Deli and Schlotzsky's — has added three…

Main Squeeze focuses on home turf growth

April 20, 2021

Main Squeeze Juice Co. is expanding in its home state this month when it opens at 5808 Magazine St., which is blocks away from its headquarters, according to a…

Oracle adds partners to help restaurants streamline operations

April 20, 2021

Technology has played a critical role in helping restaurants continue to operate during the pandemic, which is why Oracle Food and Beverage has doubled its…

Capt D's debuts double drive-thru

April 20, 2021

A year after a fire destroyed it, Captain D's in Tupelo, Mississippi, has reopened with an upgraded design featuring the brand's first double driver-thru.

The Habit Burger going to Washington

April 20, 2021

Santa Barbara, California-based The Habit Burger Grill is opening a drive-thru location Wednesday in Yakima, Washington. The restaurant, 2400 West Nob Hill…

Mici opens 6th location in Colorado Springs

April 20, 2021

Colorado-based Mici Handcrafted Italian is opening its 6th Colorado Thursday at 3707 Bloomington Road, in Colorado Springs.

Noodles & Company aims for big growth, franchise expansion in 2022

April 19, 2021

Noodles & Company is aiming for a minimum 7% system-wide unit growth goal in 2022 and banking on franchise development to make it happen.