Brix welcomes VP of franchise sales, development

August 7, 2023

Dallas-based Brix Holdings LLC, which owns Friendly's Restaurant Co., Red Mango, Orange Leaf, Smoothie Factory + Kitchen, SouperSalad and Pizza Jukebox, has…

Craveworthy launches Lucky Cat Poke Company

August 7, 2023

Craveworthy Brands has created Lucky Cat Poke Company, a fast casual poke restaurant concept opening its first brick-and-mortar location Thursday at the…

Smoothie King expanding in Dallas

August 7, 2023

Smoothie King has signed a multi-unit development agreement to bring 15 locations to Dallas-Fort Worth.

Slim Chickens adding location in Leeds, UK

August 7, 2023

Arkansas-based Slim Chickens is adding a restaurant in Leeds, U.K., under the direction of long-time partner Boparan Restaurant Group, which owns several other…

Johnny Rockets lands 20-unit Texas deal

August 7, 2023

Thanks to a deal with Texasb-based Brame Holdings LLC, Johnny Rockets, owned by FAT Brands Inc., is opening 20 locations over the next 10 years in Texas with…

Wing Zone launches hot chicken concept

August 4, 2023

Wing Zone opened Wing Zone Hot Chicken and Wings Restaurant last week in Las Vegas featuring two Nashville Hot Chicken-inspired menu items: Hot Chicken Tenders…

Tocabe acquires part ownership of Arctic Circle Wild Seafood

August 4, 2023

Tocabe Indigenous Marketplace and Red Lake Inc. have each purchased a 25% share in Arctic Circle Wild Seafood, based in the regional Inupiat Eskimo Village of…

Urban Plates lands $27M deal with Morgan Stanley

August 3, 2023

California-based Urban Plates, which has 17 locations, has closed a $27 million financing deal with investment funds managed by Morgan Stanley Expansion…

Networld Media Group launches Rewards That Matter website for consumers

August 3, 2023

Networld Media Group, which owns a number of B2B websites in the restaurant, technology and retail spaces, has launched its first consumer website, Rewards…

Is cold the new hot at Starbucks?

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

August 3, 2023

The cold business at Starbucks is hotter than ever as sales of unheated drinks reached 75% of U.S. beverage sales during the chain's third quarter, which ended…

Shake Shack CFO: Operational improvements enhancing profitability

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

August 3, 2023

Despite higher than usual operating costs, New York-based Shake Shack Inc. reported Thursday a net income of $6.9 million and a profit of 16 cents for its 202…

Salata's former president fills same role at Nation’s Giant Hamburgers

August 3, 2023

Northern California-based Nation's Giant Hamburgers, a 70-year-old breakfast, burger and pie chain, has snagged former Salata Salad Kitchen President Michelle…

Toast launches catering, events platform

August 2, 2023

Toast, an all-in-one technology platform built for restaurants, is debuting Toast Catering & Events, a product fully integrated with the Toast…

Thanx adds automated dashboards to measure loyalty programs

August 2, 2023

Thanx, a loyalty and guest engagement platform for restaurants, has created four automated reporting dashboards —Thanx Capture Rate, Thanx Activation Rate…

Luckin Coffee reports stellar Q2 2023 results

August 1, 2023

Luckin Coffee, a pioneer in coffee vending and a competitor to Starbucks in China, reported major sales and income gains for Q2 2023, according to a press…

Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman landing at Kura Sushi

August 1, 2023

Kura Sushi USA Inc., a technology-enabled Japanese restaurant concept serving cuisine through a revolving sushi service model, is partnering with Warner Bros.

Teriyaki Madness growing footprint, investing in tech

August 1, 2023

Colorado-based Teriyaki Madness, which has over 130 locations, has been on a growth spurt this year, opening 10 locations and seeing a 21% year-over-year…

GiftAMeal wins Amazon's 2023 Business Grant

August 1, 2023

GiftAMeal, a cause-marketing program that turns restaurant photos into meals for local families in need, has won $25,000 as the grand prize winner of Amazon's…

Fajita Pete's catering orders up 30%

August 1, 2023

Houston-based Fajita Pete's is experiencing extraordinary growth in its catering business with orders up 30% for the year. Additionally, website visits to the…

Cafe Rio owes growth to tech investments

August 1, 2023

Thanks to technology investments, Cafe Rio Mexican Grill is continuing to expand its U.S. footprint, reporting five-year growth of over 50%, according to CEO…