I Heart Mac & Cheese founder launching coffee concept

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

December 10, 2024

Pilar Coffee Bar and Iced Treats is debuting its flagship location this month at The Cove in Deerfield Beach, Florida. The menu features specialty lattes, iced…

Zaro's Family Bakery offering licensing opportunities

December 9, 2024

New York-based Zaro's Family Bakery, a fourth-generation family business serving Black & White Cookies and classic baked goods, is offering licensing…

Ya Oaxaca receives $100K from PepsiCo

December 9, 2024

PepsiCo named Ya Oaxaca, a food company that crafts artisanal Mexican mole sauces, adobos and salsas, the winner of the Greenhouse Accelerator Program: Juntos…

Perkins Griddle & Go signs Canada franchisee

December 6, 2024

Perkins American Food Co. has signed a multi-unit agreement with Lakshminarayan Enterprise Inc. to bring Perkins Griddle & Go to Calgary, Alberta.

How tracking tools helped restaurants reduce food waste by $400M

December 5, 2024

Restaurant365 customers operating over 40,000 locations in the U.S. have reduced food waste in 2024 by nearly $400 million thanks to the restaurant management…

Taco Cabana doubling down on smaller prototype

December 5, 2024

Taco Cabana is opening its second location featuring its next-generation building prototype in Houston. It debuted the design, featuring a streamlined design…

Torchy's Tacos deploys voice AI smart ordering

December 5, 2024

Torchy's Tacos had deployed voice AI smart ordering at its 130 locations thanks to a partnership with SoundHound, a voice artificial intelligence company…

Luna Grill hires 1st CMO

December 5, 2024

Luna Grill Mediterranean Kitchen has named Billy Grenham as its first CMO.

Barberitos entering Alabama

December 4, 2024

Barberitos, owned by WOWorks, signed a 10-unit franchise agreement with multi-unit franchisee Haresh Patel to bring the brand to Alabama. The expansion follows…

Crumbl Cookies launches catering

December 4, 2024

Workplaces across the United States may now order Crumbl Cookies via ezcater.com and the ezCater app. "Joining forces with ezCater will not only satisfy the…

Qdoba opening stand-alone stores in Arizona

December 4, 2024

Qdoba is expanding into Arizona when it opens two stores later this month in Phoenix and Scottsdale. The locations mark Qdoba's first stand-alone restaurants…

Dave's Hot Chicken making London debut

December 4, 2024

Los Angeles-based Dave's Hot Chicken is opening Saturday in London, marking its entry into the United Kingdom and the opening of its 250th restaurant. Located…

Cherry Bounce finalizes acquisition of Party Fowl

December 4, 2024

Cherry Bounce Hospitality, a Raleigh-based restaurant group that owns a portfolio of restaurant concepts that include Cajun Steamer Bar & Grill, Trudy's…

Cheba Hut reopening in Boulder

December 3, 2024

After a five-year hiatus, Cheba Hut is returning to Boulder, Colorado, when it opens next week at 1346 Pearl St.

Shipley signs 22-unit agreement

December 3, 2024

Houston-based Shipley Do-Nuts will expand its presence in Florida and Tennessee under a 22-unit franchise agreement with the hospitality arm of private…

Chicken Salad Chick entering Kansas City market

December 2, 2024

Chicken Salad Chick is opening its first store in the Kansas City market in Lee's Summit, Missouri, at 1020 NW Pryor Road.

Moxies launching customizable franchise design

December 2, 2024

Moxies, a fast casual concept with 59 locations across the United States and Canada, has partnered with DesignAgency to introduce a streamlined and…

Fatburger, Buffalo's Express continue Mexico expansion

November 26, 2024

Fatburger and Buffalo's Express, owned by Los Angeles-based FAT Brands, are opening several co-branded locations in Mexico, joining the country's five…

Fast casual industry nearing $150B by 2028

November 26, 2024

The U.S. fast casual industry will grow $65.2 billion to hit $149.96 billion by 2028, according to Technavio, a research firm that predicted that it will grow…

Noodles & Co launches holiday merch

November 25, 2024

Noodles & Co is turning up the heat this holiday season with its first-ever Noodles Merch Store featuring festive winter-themed sweaters, branded holiday…