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…

JustEat Takeaway to buy Grubhub in $7.3B stock deal

June 10, 2020

JustEat Takeaway.com NV agreed to buy Grubhub Inc. in an all stock transaction valued at $7.3 billion, creating the world's largest food delivery platform…

Luna Grill hires former Taco Bell exec as president

June 10, 2020

Luna Grill has named Rich Pinnella, a former Taco Bell executive, as president of the Mediterranean concept with 50 locations in southern California and the…

Just Eat Takeaway closing in on merger with Grubhub

June 10, 2020

Just Eat Takeaway.com NV confirmed that it is in advanced negotiations on an all-stock deal to merge with Grubhub Inc., in a statement released this morning. 

Chicken Salad Chick making its metro Louisville debut

June 10, 2020

Chicken Salad Chick is making its Indiana debut in the suburb of Jeffersonville, which is on the border of Kentucky and Indiana and is in the Louisville…

Pieology launches new menu, ordering system

June 10, 2020

California-based Pieology launched a new menu and simplified its ordering system for all U.S. locations, according to a news release. 

Steritech 'Hometown Heroes' program helped 8,100 on front lines

June 10, 2020

Food safety company, Steritech, recently paid its respects to what it calls its Hometown Heroes — front line health, long-term care and emergency workers — in…

Mooyah opening in New York, Virginia, California

June 9, 2020

Plano, Texas-based Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes is breaking ground in new markets, due in part to agreements finalized with franchise owners, who chose…

BellyMelly launches contactless menu ordering for post-COVID-19 recovery

June 9, 2020

BellyMelly, an online food ordering platform, has launched a contactless app-based ordering system designed to help restaurants open their dine-in operations…