Mooyah Burgers signs 6-unit deal to grow Utah presence

August 28, 2026

Plano, Texas-based Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes has signed a six-unit development deal with established franchisees Art and Nick Depole to expand its…

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.

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…

How Tony Roma's is using fast-casual strategies to reinvent itself

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

CEO Mina Haque explains how the 54-year-old brand is adapting to changing consumer habits without abandoning its casual-dining roots.

Shark Club Sports Bar & Grill opens 2nd US location in North Texas

August 3, 2026

Vancouver, British Columbia-based Shark Club Sports Bar & Grill will open its second U.S. location Aug. 7 at 13850 Chadwick Parkway in Northlake, Texas.

Buffalo’s Express opens 1st standalone restaurant, expands beyond Fatburger co-brand model

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

FAT Brands' Jake Berchtold explains how the former co-located Buffalo's Express opened its first stand-alone restaurant in Washington State.

City Barbeque opens 2nd Tennessee location in Murfreesboro

July 21, 2026

City Barbeque has expanded its Tennessee presence with the opening of a second restaurant in the state. The Dublin, Ohio-based barbecue chain launched its…

Smalls Sliders celebrates first Ohio opening

July 17, 2026

Smalls Sliders is opening its first location in Ohio. The location, in South Point, Ohio, will be led by local operators and brothers Beckett and Sam Gue and…

The Melt's airport debut takes flight at SFO

July 10, 2026

The Melt has opened its first airport restaurant at San Francisco International Airport's Harvey Milk Terminal 1.

Smashburger simplifies summer LTO lineup to improve operations

July 8, 2026

Smashburger is taking a more focused approach to limited-time offerings this summer, introducing two burgers and two shakes as part of a broader strategy to…

Smalls Sliders launches Soda Shakes, Coca-Cola’s new concentrated syrups

July 6, 2026

Smalls Sliders is rolling out two new beverages for the summer season. The company has announced its new line of Soda Shakes, featuring Fanta and Barq's Root…

Smashburger builds executive bench with CMO hire

May 21, 2026

Smashburger has hired Kate Savelli as chief marketing officer. The move comes as the company continues to build nationwide momentum.

Habit Burger debuts in Humboldt County with Eureka opening

May 20, 2026

Habit Burger & Grill, part of Yum! Brands' portfolio, has expanded into Humboldt County, California, with the opening of a Eureka restaurant.

2026 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers

Welcome to the 2026 edition of the Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers. Each year, this report serves as a pulse check for the industry, celebrating the…

Presented by Elo Touch Solutions, Inc.

Freddy’s boosts development team to drive growth

April 28, 2026

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has expanded its development team, hiring Rafik Farouk as vice president of business development and Jackie Lobdell…

Kayla Edidin named COO of Red Door Brands

April 21, 2026

Kayla Edidin has been named chief operating officer of Red Door Brands, a franchise company that owns and operates brands including McAlister's Deli, Little…

Freddy’s lands 1st military base location

April 17, 2026

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers deployed its first restaurant on a U.S. military installation, opening April 15 at U.S. Army post Fort Lee in Prince…

Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks Secures Tampa Expansion as Growth Strategy Gains Speed

Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks has secured its entry into the Tampa market, marking a significant step forward in the brand’s national expansion strategy and…

The Melt heats up growth with franchising strategy

April 1, 2026

San Francisco-based The Melt is seeking experienced multi-unit restaurant operators to help expand its presence in California and Arizona, where it owns and…

Fatburger debuts in France

March 25, 2026

FAT Brands Inc. has opened its first Fatburger franchise in Paris, launching a planned 30-unit expansion across France. The restaurant is on Avenue du Général…