Blaze Pizza launches 'Practical Magic 2' inspired menu

August 21, 2026

Blaze Pizza is launching a limited-time menu inspired by the upcoming Warner Bros. Pictures film "Practical Magic 2," according to a press release.

Smalls Sliders offers free dog bandanas for National Dog Day

August 21, 2026

Smalls Sliders is celebrating National Dog Day on Aug. 26 by offering a free "Can's Best Friend" bandana to guests who bring their dogs to participating…

Huey Magoo’s signs agreements for 60 restaurants

August 21, 2026

Orlando-based Huey Magoo's has awarded development rights to eight franchise groups for 60 restaurants across the United States.

Houston TX Hot Chicken hires Ashley Prokos as senior director of franchise sales

August 21, 2026

Potbelly signs deal to add 10 shops in Central Florida

August 20, 2026

Chicago-based-Potbelly Sandwich Works has signed a development agreement with veteran franchisee BD Patel and his nephews, Bhavesh and Mihir Patel, to open 1…

Marine Corps veterans, childhood friends sign 6-unit Huey Magoo's deal in South Carolina

August 20, 2026

Two childhood friends and Marine Corps veterans have signed on to develop six Huey Magoo's locations across Rock Hill, Fort Mill and Columbia, South Carolina…

Freddy’s promotes Rick Petralia to executive chef, VP of training and innovation

August 20, 2026

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, based in Wichita, Kansas, promoted Rick Petralia to executive chef and vice president of training and innovation.

Franchise growth drives Hawaiian Bros’ 2026 expansion

August 20, 2026

Hawaiian Bros Island Grill continued its growth trajectory during the first half of 2026, signing development deals with experienced franchisees to support…

Sweetgreen expands drive-thru prototype to Virginia

August 19, 2026

Sweetgreen opened a restaurant Thursday featuring its Sweetlane order-ahead drive-up format, marking the chain's fourth and its first in Northern Virginia.

Panera takes points-based MyPanera loyalty program nationwide after pilot

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

August 19, 2026

Panera Bread is rolling out a redesigned, points-based version of its MyPanera loyalty program nationwide Wednesday, following a pilot the company ran earlier…

Shipley Donuts celebrates 90th birthday with LTOs, franchise growth

August 19, 2026

Houston-based Shipley Donuts is celebrating its 90th birthday with limited-time menu items and special offers through Oct. 18.

Firehouse Subs opens 1,500th restaurant

August 19, 2026

Firehouse Subs opened its 1,500th restaurant this week at 2608 Enterprise Dr., in Abilene, Texas. The firefighter-founded hot sub brand's newest location is…

Smoothie King gives pumpkin spice season GLP-1 makeover

August 18, 2026

Pumpkin spice is everywhere this fall, but Smoothie King says it's the first chain to make one specifically for guests on GLP-1 medications.

Buffalo Wild Wings, Jimmy John's, opens first co-brand

August 18, 2026

Two restaurant brands are teaming up to open the first co-branded Buffalo Wild Wings Go and Jimmy John's location in the U.S., according to an article in…

Cincinnati gets Blaze Pizza in Oakley neighborhood

August 18, 2026

Blaze Pizza has opened a restaurant in Cincinnati's Oakley neighborhood at 3206 Vandercar Way, celebrating its grand opening today with free pizza for all…

Pokeworks reports 10% year-over-year unit growth in Q2

August 18, 2026

Irvine, California-based Pokeworks opened five locations, has eight more under development and signed multiple-unit franchise agreements during the second…

MOOYAH Burgers inks master franchise agreement for UAE expansion

August 18, 2026

Plano, Texas-based MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes signed a master franchise agreement with Great Foods USA LLC to expand the brand in the United Arab…

Wonder deploys free battery systems at NYC restaurants to cut energy costs

August 17, 2026

Food tech company Wonder is installing plug-in batteries at 21 of its New York City locations through a partnership with energy supplier David Energy, the…

Pizza Brands to Watch 2027 nominations extended to Aug. 28

August 17, 2026

Pizza Marketplace is seeking nominations for its "Pizza Brands to Watch in 2027" special report, aiming to highlight innovators, trailblazers and rising stars…

Palona AI debuts AI platform for restaurants after $20M funding round

August 17, 2026

Palona AI has launched what it calls a multimodal AI operating layer for physical businesses, debuting the technology in restaurants before expanding to other…