Smalls Sliders slides past 300-store mark, expands nationwide

August 13, 2024

Smalls Sliders, the fast-growing cheeseburger slider concept, is rapidly expanding its footprint across the United States. The brand has surpassed the…

Budderfly to create virtual power plants

August 13, 2024

Reducing energy usage can lower restaurants' costs and shrink carbon footprints, which is why Budderfly, an energy-as-a-service provider for franchises, has…

Surcheros entering South Carolina with multi-unit deal

August 12, 2024

Surcheros is expanding into South Carolina thanks to a four-unit deal with franchisee Andrew Powell. The first restaurant will open next month in Columbia's…

Pepper Lunch signs 5-unit deal with former Halal Guys franchisee

August 12, 2024

Pepper Lunch, a Japanese-born fast casual concept with more than 500 locations in 15 countries, has signed an agreement with High Steaks Enterprise to open…

Georgia-based Knuckies opening in Walmart

August 12, 2024

Founded in 2019, Georgia-based Knuckies Franchise Company LLC is opening inside 14 Walmart stores in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee…

Nominations open for FastCasual Top 30 Movers & Shakers in Catering

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

August 12, 2024

Nominations are open for the inaugural Top 30 Movers & Shakers in Catering in partnership with Lunchbox. Closing Sept. 1, the list will highlight the…

Growth plans heating up at Atomic Wings

August 8, 2024

Atomic Wings is experiencing a wave of growth as it heads into the second half of 2024, opening five locations in July and setting the stage for launches in…

Ike's collaborates with NBA star on vegan sandwich

August 8, 2024

Ike's Love & Sandwiches has collaborated with basketball great Mitch Richmond to create a vegan barbecue sandwich, "Mitch The Rock Richmond," a vegan BBQ…

Negranti Creamery opening 7th shop

August 7, 2024

California-based Negranti Creamery, which serves sheep's milk ice cream, is adding a seventh location when it opens Saturday in San Luis Obispo, California.

10 Dave's Hot Chickens popping up in Pittsburgh

August 7, 2024

Dave's Hot Chicken is opening 10 stores in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, under the direction of Raj Patel, Danny Costa, Michael Costa and Jonathan Wise, who own…

Portillo's launches self-service kiosk strategy

August 7, 2024

Portillo's, a fast casual chain known for its Chicago hot dogs, is piloting self-service kiosks in select restaurants, according to a Yahoo!Finance report.

Blaze Pizza releases 4 menu items, 2 drizzles

August 7, 2024

Blaze Pizza has introduced two new spicy drizzles, Spicy Chili Oil and Sweet Hot Honey, as well as four new products, according to a press release.

James Beard Award-winning chef reopens Italian fast casual

August 6, 2024

James Beard Award-winning Chef Gerard Craft reopened Porano last week in Des Peres, Missouri, bringing back the pasta, grain bowls, salads and Detroit-style…

IFMA: Fast casual traffic is 'bullish'

August 6, 2024

Although the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association began the year projecting that the food-away-from-home industry would grow .9% in 2024, the…

Sip Fresh expanding in Colorado

August 6, 2024

California-based Sip Fresh, which serves fruit-based juices, teas and smoothies, is expanding to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado through an agreement with…

Krak Boba adds 16th location

August 6, 2024

Krak Boba opened ints 16th location last month in Lomita, California, under the direction of franchisees Vi Truong and An Nguyen.

Sweetgreen opening automated location in California's Fashion Island

August 5, 2024

Adding to its Orange County locations, Sweetgreen is opening Tuesday at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, California.

Chipotle UK launches kids meals

August 5, 2024

Chipotle Mexican Grill UK is introducing Kids Meals, allowing young guests to order build-your-own taco kids' meal, available with soft-shell flour tortillas…

Cinnaholic develops LTO with social media influencer

August 2, 2024

Cinnaholic, which has over 100 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, has teamed up with Dallas social media influencer Dre Hopkins (@DreinDallas) to create…

Operators prioritize tech, training amid economic headwinds

August 2, 2024

Restaurant operators are grappling with persistent food and labor cost increases, but they're also investing heavily in technology, training and marketing to…