Ono Hawaiian launches kids menu featuring Disney's Moana

October 31, 2024

California-based Ono Hawaiian BBQ is collaborating with Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Moana 2" and the relaunch of its Ono Keiki Meal. The meal, available…

Former Domino's exec trades pizza for 'Noodles'

October 31, 2024

Noodles & Co has hired former Domino's executive Stephen Kennedy as EVP of marketing to lead strategy and customer growth initiatives. "Stephen is a…

Pita Pit lowers franchise fees, launches drive-thru model

October 30, 2024

Pita Pit USA, a Mediterranean fast casual brand specializing in made-to-order pita sandwiches, is lowering franchised fees and royalty rates and introducing a…

Checkmate raises $10M in Series B funding led by Tiger Global

October 30, 2024

Checkmate, a leading provider of unified ordering solutions for enterprise restaurants has secured $10 million in Series B funding, led by Tiger Global. The…

Revenue up nearly 15% at Shake Shack

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

October 30, 2024

Shake Shack posted a solid Q3 earnings report Wednesday, featuring a revenue growth of 14.7% and same-store sales growth of 4.4%. It also saw a 28% jump in…

Kreation Juicery entering pet foods market

October 29, 2024

Kreation Organic Juicery, a 25-unit brand founded in 2007 in Los Angeles, is now serving pets via Kreation Pets, opening Thursday in Manhattan Beach at 130…

El Pollo Loco launches new look, expansion plans

October 29, 2024

El Pollo Loco, which opened 50 years ago, has unveiled a restaurant prototype showcasing a more modern design featuring existing brand elements — fire stack…

Ziggi's opens 100th unit

October 29, 2024

Ziggi's Coffee opened its 100th store Tuesday at 51 North 42nd Ave., in Brighton, Colorado.

Clean Eatz appoints 1st CEO

October 29, 2024

Clean Eatz, a health-focused lifestyle brand and meal plan franchise, has appointed 30-year restaurant veteran Eric Wyatt as its first CEO. Wyatt most recently…

Smoothie King launches Ozempic-friendly menu

October 29, 2024

Smoothie King has created five smoothies designed for the millions of Americans taking prescription GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic, to help them achieve…

Dave’s Hot Chicken firing up Arkansas, Missouri

October 28, 2024

Los Angeles-based Dave's Hot Chicken has locked in a seven-unit franchise agreement with Deryl Pangelinan, Sean Varvello, Andrew Feghali and Lawrence Kourie to…

Smalls Sliders opening 4 units in Georgia

October 28, 2024

Smalls Sliders is opening four locations in the South Georgia region, inking its third deal with DPC Smalls Investments, spearheaded by Doug Cone.

Shipley Do-Nuts posts 15th consecutive quarter of positive sales

October 28, 2024

Houston-based Shipley Do-Nuts posted its 15th consecutive quarter of positive sales, growing unit count to 360 stores and adding restaurant industry marketing…

Qdoba hires former Applebee's exec

October 28, 2024

Qdoba hired Kevin Carroll, the former COO of Applebee's, to serve as chief operating officer. He will oversee the brand's nearly 800 restaurants.

Slim Chickens heading to Poland

October 28, 2024

Fayetteville, Arkansas-based Slim Chickens has signed a 50-unit deal with Boparan Restaurant Group to open in Poland. Boparan, which operates over 50 stores…

Chopt's LTO supporting organization helping people with disabilities

October 25, 2024

New York City-based Chopt Creative Salad Co. is partnering with Smile Farms in honor of Disability Employment Awareness Month. Creating the Smile Farms Bowl, a…

Zaxbys entering New Jersey

October 25, 2024

Georgia-based Zaxbys is entering New Jersey via a six-unit deal with GSP Group, led by Premanand Gupta, a longtime New Jersey resident.

Rock N' Roll Sushi rolling into Walmart

October 24, 2024

Marking its 13th Florida unit and 73rd systemwide, Rock N' Roll Sushi is opening next week inside a Walmart Supercenter in Niceville, Florida.

Colleges embracing boba drinks

October 24, 2024

With the global bubble tea market projected to reach $5.49 billion by 2031, it makes sense that 86% of college students have expressed a desire to see boba…

Cheba Hut expanding to Iowa

October 23, 2024

Cheba Hut is rolling into Iowa when it opens by year's end in the Des Moines area before expanding to other locations around the state. Franchisee Mistene…