Noodles CEO leaves 3-step turnaround plan with successor

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

As part of the broader turnaround, the company is closing up to 32 underperforming restaurants by year's end and 12 to 17 in 2026.

5 reasons we built Ignite®

Meet Ignite. SMG’s AI-native platform built to unify brand, customer, and employee experience data. It’s smart, scalable, and designed to help brands move…

Starbucks to introduce self-service kiosks in Korea, Japan

May 27, 2025

Starbucks is set to break with its long-standing tradition of direct barista-customer interaction by introducing self-service kiosks in Korea and Japan for the…

Trend Report: Healthcare Beverage Innovation

Discover how hospitals are rethinking food and beverage service to support staff, patients, and visitors. Explore the rise of automation in healthcare…

Presented by Botrista Inc.

Campuses Turn to Automation to Improve Student Life

Dining leaders are turning to platforms like Botrista to cut costs, ease labor demands, and keep up with Gen Z’s thirst for trending drinks like boba. The…

Upgrade your drink menu without the hassle

Learn how top brands like Jollibee and Yoshinoya elevate their drink menus with Botrista. Join Jarrett Whitlow and Briana Jurado as they share tips on flavors…

What Chef Robotics' $43M funding means for fast casual automation

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Since Sunbasket, a healthy meal delivery company, partnered with Chef Robotics in 2022, it has displaced 10% of production staff and increased consistency by…

Trend Report: The Psychology of Waiting

Discover how long wait times impact customer behavior and revenue. Explore the growing role of automation in foodservice and how operators are streamlining…

Presented by Botrista Inc.

Jollibee Partners with Botrista to Launch Signature Sips Nationwide

Jollibee has partnered with Botrista to launch the new Signature Sips menu nationwide, bringing premium, craft beverages to its U.S. locations. Powered by…

How Botrista’s Briana Jurado is Remixing the Drink Menu

Botrista’s Briana Jurado transforms beverage innovation by blending data, creativity, and technology. As VP of Beverage Programs, she pioneers trend-driven…

Trend Report: Flavor Trends of 2025

Explore the evolving beverage landscape, where nostalgia meets innovation. Uncover the consumer preferences driving demand for bold, premium drinks. Learn how…

Presented by Botrista Inc.

We're Botrista - nice to meet you.

Botrista helps partners serve vibrant, globally inspired drinks that meet evolving consumer trends. With a data-driven approach to menu development, our…

Presented by Botrista Inc.

Streamlining Cocktail Service: How Automation is Transforming Beverage Programs

Traditional cocktail programs can be labor-intensive and inconsistent. Botrista solves this with a compact, automated system that delivers craft-quality drinks…

Trends Study: Limited Time Offers on Drinks Transform Campus Dining into Student Satisfaction Powerhouse

Recent campus dining trends reports show that beverage LTOs are empowering student satisfaction, on-campus engagement and the development of strong campus…

Leading universities meet boba demand on campus with Botrista beverage platform

With some colleges launching boba programs in as little as two weeks, students are sharing positive feedback on trendy new drink options being offered on…

5 Reasons Why Your Kitchen Needs a ‘Smart’ Upgrade Now

Discover how upgrading kitchen technology transforms restaurant operations. Learn why brands invest in AI-driven solutions to boost order accuracy, speed, and…

Wonder, Botrista on Bridging Innovation and Growth at the Fast Casual Executive Summit

For restaurant executives and suppliers, this summit offers a unique opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge from industry trailblazers. The shared wisdom of…

The Future of Kitchens: Introducing the Smart, Connected Kitchen

Despite the growing pressures from omni-channel ordering, kitchen tech remains overlooked. Qu envisions a smart, connected future where AI optimizes food prep…

Presented by Qu

Washington gets a big drinks upgrade with L&L Hawaiian BBQ, Botrista Partnership

A Tumwater-based L&L Hawaiian Barbecue franchise is fast becoming a destination experience following the addition of new premium, on-menu beverages. Among the…

Botrista Reaches $120 Million in Total Fundraising, Enhances Beverage AI Tools

The innovative beverage solution has attracted the attention of major players in the food service industry and secured significant investment from global…