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…

bb.q Chicken updates rewards program

March 20, 2026

Seoul, South Korea-founded bb.q Chicken, has updated its rewards program to boost customer loyalty and encourage more frequent visits.

Beef costs jump 32%, burger prices rise 14% since 2023

March 18, 2026

Hamburger menu prices increased 14% from January 2023 to December 2025, while federal Food Away From Home inflation rose about 13% during the same period…

Emerging Sports, Emerging Restaurant Opportunities

Sports that may have been overlooked in the past are capturing the public’s imagination and creating fresh opportunities for restaurant operators. These new…

Top 30 Movers & Shakers in Catering 2025

The Top 30 Movers & Shakers in Catering 2025 recognizes the leaders redefining how restaurants win off-premise. These are the operators, technologists, and…

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Small restaurants, big impact: Why mom-and-pop eateries still matter

Despite the presence of national restaurant chains, research consistently shows diners form their most-lasting and meaningful memories in independently owned…

Speaker Spotlight: Andy Huang, VP/COO, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

Andy Huang, VP/COO, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue is one of dozens of panelists participating in the upcoming Fast Casual Executive Summit.

Five Guys has continued its partnership with CloudKitchens - Opening at Lake Union Eats in Seattle

Five Guys is now serving their world renowned burgers, fries, and milkshakes to their fans in Seattle

20 Fast Casual Brands to Watch in 2025

We are honored to introduce the 2025 class of “20 Brands to Watch,” and predict they will continue to help elevate the fast casual industry.

Presented by Oracle

Diebold Nixdorf powers self-service kiosks at Italian smashburger chain Smashie

December 18, 2024

Italian smashburger chain Smashie has partnered with Diebold Nixdorf to implement self-service kiosks at its restaurant in Udine, Italy, according to a press…

Savvy Sliders becomes sponsor of Detroit Lions

September 5, 2024

Michigan-based Savvy Sliders has inked a deal with The Detroit Lions to become an official sponsor of the football team. The day following each Lions win…

Cubby’s Expands Restaurant Tech Stack and Continues Expansion.

Controlling food costs is always top of mind for Cubby’s, a Utah-based multi-unit restaurant brand committed to fresh, high-quality ingredients. The concept …

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