Insomnia Cookies planning global expansion

February 22, 2023

Insomnia Cookies is expanding its footprint outside of the U.S. for the first time, with stores opening this summer in Canada and the U.K. The late-night…

Shake Shack getting a little fancy?

February 22, 2023

Although the phrase 'fine-dining' may not jump to mind when thinking of Shake Shack, the fast casual burger joint is trying to change that with the launch of…

Chowly launches Restaurant Control Center

February 22, 2023

Chowly, a restaurant technology company that integrates third-party delivery marketplaces with point-of-sale systems, has launch a Restaurant Control Center…

The Habit Burger Grill announces trio of openings

February 22, 2023

The Habit Burger Grill, a California-based restaurant company, is opening three locations March 1, including its 19th Arizona store at 4902 West Baseline in…

Starbucks adding extra-virgin olive oil to coffee

February 22, 2023

Inspired by interim CEO Howard Schultz's trip to Milan, Starbucks has unveiled a line of coffee beverages — Oleato — infused with a spoonful of Partanna…

Panera Bread offering annual unlimited Sip Club membership

February 22, 2023

Panera Bread is offering an annual unlimited Sip Club membership for $119.99 per year, which offers a year's worth of unlimited beverages for the price of 1…

Former Perfect Pitch contestant lands $2.5M investment to fuel growth

February 21, 2023

Seattle-based Dué Cucina, a fast casual Italian brand that competed in the 2019 Perfect Pitch at the Fast Casual Executive Summit, has landed a $2.5 million…

Salata continues Dallas-area growth

February 21, 2023

Houston-based Salata, a built-to-order salad kitchen, is adding to its Dallas-area portfolio Friday when it opens a 3,300-square-foot location in West Plano at…

BurgerFi launches BBQ Rodeo Burger

February 21, 2023

Florida-based BurgerFi has launched its first LTO of 2023, the BBQ Rodeo Burger, available now through April 17. It features all-natural angus beef seared with…

Last call: FastCasual's Excellence in Food Safety nominations closing soon

February 21, 2023

Entries will be accepted until midnight ET on Feb. 28, 2023.

Slim Chickens opens in UK's Kidderminster

February 20, 2023

Arkansas-based Slim Chickens is opening a restaurant in Kidderminster, United Kingdom, under the direction of multi-unit operators, Boparan Restaurant Group…

Velvet Taco opens in Rockwall, Texas

February 20, 2023

Velvet Taco opened its 26th Texas location Monday in Dallas-Fort Worth's Rockwall district. Located at 2608 Ridge Road, the store marks the chain's 37th unit…

SoundHound develops voice-based ordering

February 17, 2023

SoundHound has entered the digital menu game with its voice-ordering technology harnessing AI to allow customers to make and edit drive-through orders without…

Smashburger rolls out mac 'n' cheese-inspired burger

February 17, 2023

Smashburger is supplying comfort nationwide with its take on America's two favorite foods: burgers and mac 'n' cheese. The S'mac & Cheese Burger — made…

Pita Mediterranean fights inflation with value meal

February 17, 2023

Facing rampant inflation and rising food costs Pita Mediterranean Street Food Founder and CEO Nour Rabai knew a value menu was necessary to meet customer needs.

Dickey's 'boosting' virtual concepts

February 16, 2023

Since launching Boost Virtual Concepts in July 2022, Dickey's Barbecue Pit is quickly expanding its virtual brands — Wing Boss, Trailer Birds and Big Deal…

Kura Sushi opening 44th, 45th US locations

February 16, 2023

Kura Sushi, a Japanese-based concept serving cuisine through a revolving sushi service model, opened last week in Edison, New Jersey, and will launch this…

FieldFlex launches to help restaurants cut IT costs

February 16, 2023

Kinettix, a provider of IT field technicians and break-fix dispatches to U.S.-based brands, has launched FieldFlex to give companies the ability to leverage…

Toast acquires Delphi Display Systems

February 16, 2023

Toast, an all-in-one digital platform for restaurants, which announced last week that it partnered with Google to allow online Google ordering, has acquired…

Shake Shack's Q4 results inch past expectations

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 16, 2023

Shake Shack reported Wednesday that it barely beat analysts' estimates for Q4, ending Dec. 28, 2022. Revenue was $238.5 million, inching past the $238.…