Top 30 Movers & Shakers in Catering 2026

This annual initiative shines a spotlight on the visionary leaders, innovators, and brands redefining off-premise dining. From pioneering game-changing…

Presented by MONKEY Catering Platform

Rusty Taco expands nontraditional footprint through airport, entertainment venues

September 11, 2026

Rusty Taco is expanding its national footprint through nontraditional venues, including airports, convenience stores and entertainment destinations. The…

Wingstop kicks off football season with Lemon Pepper Trio

September 11, 2026

Wingstop is kicking off the 2026-27 football season with its limited-time Lemon Pepper Trio, featuring its original Lemon Pepper flavor alongside two new…

How Penn Station is winning over Gen Z without discounting

Penn Station President Lance Vaught and Curion's Thomas Gilbert join Fast Casual Nation to break down how the 40-year-old sandwich brand is winning over Gen Z…

Wings Etc. wants to make Ranch more than a side: Enter the 'Ranch Flight'

September 10, 2026

Wings Etc. will launch a limited-time Ranch Flight Sept. 15, allowing customers to choose three of five ranch-based sauces. The lineup includes House Ranch…

Everbowl expands Arizona presence with South Peoria opening

September 10, 2026

Carlsbad, California-based Everbowl opened a location Sept. 3 at 8402 W. Thunderbird Road in South Peoria, Arizona.

National Restaurant Association launches 'Made in Restaurants' initiative

September 9, 2026

The National Restaurant Association has launched "Made in Restaurants," a national initiative designed to showcase the restaurant industry's role in shaping…

Sweetgreen to open 1st Jacksonville, Florida, location

September 9, 2026

Sweetgreen is expanding into northeast Florida with the upcoming opening of its first Jacksonville location at 4624 Town Crossing Drive. The 2,560-square-foot…

Houston TX Hot Chicken shares UK opening timelines

September 9, 2026

Houston TX Hot Chicken has announced opening timeframes for two U.K. restaurants, a little more than two months after signing a master franchise agreement to…

The Big Greek Café Selects Deliverect and Thanx to Power Digital Ordering and Loyalty Across U.S. Locations

Maryland-born brand unifies first-party & third-party ordering, dispatch, and loyalty on Deliverect and Thanx as it modernizes its digital tech stack

Chicken Salad Chick opens in West Virginia, expands to 26 states

September 8, 2026

Atlanta-based Chicken Salad Chick will open its first West Virginia restaurant Sept. 16 in Barboursville, expanding its footprint to 26 states.

Firehouse Subs opens 200th Canadian location, doubles footprint

September 4, 2026

Firehouse Subs opened its 200th Canadian restaurant Sept. 3, at 918 85th St. W., in Calgary, Alberta, doubling its Canadian presence over the past two years.

DoorDash: Workplace meals help bring employees back to the office

September 4, 2026

Office meals are shifting from an employee perk to a strategic benefit. Companies are increasingly using food to boost office attendance, according to a report…

Zaxbys partners with Nerds to bring back strawberry milkshake

September 3, 2026

Zaxbys has joined forces with candy brand Nerds to bring back its Nerds Strawberry Milkshake, according to a company press release. The beverage is available…

Flying Biscuit Cafe franchisee to open 4th Raleigh location

September 3, 2026

Flying Biscuit Cafe franchisee Tahir Rafiq will open his fourth location in Raleigh, North Carolina, during the first quarter of 2027. The 6609 Falls of Neuse…

Fast Casual Executive Summit preview: Learn how a unified guest view spurs big rewards

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

Fast casual brands can break down the walls between tech systems to craft a unified customer view that can drive an immediate return-on-investment. Learn how…

How Steele Smiley sold a fitness empire to bet on healthy fast food

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Steele Smiley spent 15 years building a fitness empire with more than 900 U.S. franchisees and locations in more than 35 countries, sold it, and founded CRISP…

HB Protein Smoothies hires Tyler Doolittle to lead real estate, openings

September 2, 2026

HB Protein Smoothies, a Fransmart-backed franchise, has hired Tyler Doolittle as director of real estate and openings. Doolittle will work with franchise…

WOWorks announces 23 restaurant openings in 2026, with 15 more planned

September 2, 2026

WOWorks, parent company of Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, The Simple Greek, Barberitos and Zoup! Eatery, has opened 23 new restaurants…

How restaurant real estate is being rewritten — and what operators need to know

On this episode of Fast Casual Nation, hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler sit down with Daniel Ceniceros, Founder & CEO of Connect Media, to unpack how…