Sweetgreen announces incentive strategies and leadership growth plans

October 27, 2026

Sweetgreen is introducing its Head Coach Incentive plan, an incentive strategy allowing top-performing restaurant managers to potentially earn more than…

How TAP is redefining fast casual: Scaling Brazilian flavor, AI strategy, wellness culture

In this episode of the Fast Casual Nation Front Runners series, host Paul Barron sits down with Pedro and Cleo Uchôa, the visionaries behind TAP.

BLENDED to open second franchise location in Georgia

October 27, 2026

BLENDED Smoothie & Juice Bar will open its third store and second franchise location Oct. 31 at 3538 Highway 92 in Douglasville, Georgia. Katrina Bryant…

Cafe Rio names Adam Klaers COO, promotes Julie Boyster to chief brand officer

October 27, 2026

[MEDIA ITEM PHOTO #6567 (250px width / right align)] Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican has appointed Adam Klaers as chief operating officer and promoted Julie…

Shipley Donuts expands national footprint in Q3

October 26, 2026

Shipley Donuts grew its national footprint in the third quarter, signing franchise agreements for new locations in the Midwest, Southeast and Texas while…

How functional beverages provide new reasons to visit

Functional beverages are creating new opportunities for juice and smoothie bars to attract customers across dayparts. From protein smoothies to energy and…

Chicken Salad Chick CFO Drew Travis on AI site selection and the road to 500 units

Hosts Cherryh Cansler and Paul Barron also break down why the rumored Starbucks and Chipotle deal was a false start, discuss how top brands are navigating…

Swig signs 14-unit deal for Southwest expansion

October 23, 2026

Dirty soda brand Swig has signed a 14-unit franchise agreement with multi-unit franchisees Heather Berry and Brock Stokes, marking its expansion into the…

Pollo Campero names Julio Sanchez US CEO

October 22, 2026

Pollo Campero has appointed Julio Sánchez CEO of its U.S. business, Campero USA Corp., effective immediately. He succeeds Luis Javier Rodas, who spent 26 years…

Urban Bird expands Texas footprint, signs franchise deals in Q3

October 22, 2026

Urban Bird Hot Chicken expanded its Texas footprint and signed franchise development agreements during the third quarter while introducing new programs to…

The Big Dilla: How Maggie Gordon, co-founder of Dilla’s Quesadillas, built a new brand category

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

On this episode of “Built to Breakthrough,” I talk with Maggie Gordon, co-Founder of Dillas Quesadillas. Since opening in Plano, Texas, in 2013, Maggie and her…

Harlem Shake signs 75-unit franchise agreement in India

October 21, 2026

New York City-based Harlem Shake signed a master franchise agreement with Franchise India and FranIndia to develop 75 units across multiple markets in India.

Nominations open for Pizza Marketplace Top 100

October 21, 2026

The pizza industry is full of brands pushing boundaries, driving growth, embracing innovation and finding new ways to serve customers. Now, it's time to…

Tropical Smoothie Cafe signs 40-unit Northeast development deal

October 20, 2026

Atlanta-based Tropical Smoothie Cafe has signed a 40-unit franchise development agreement with Aurify Kingstar to expand the brand's presence. .

State of the Industry: Fast Casual 2026 and Beyond

Explore growth forecasts, operator profitability and pricing pressures, leading brands, menu and LTO trends, and consumer demand for value and innovation—all…

Presented by Datassential, Inc.

OHG Brands opens co-branded Fatburger/Buffalo's Express location in Texas

October 19, 2026

OHG Brands (formerly FAT Brands) opened a co-branded Fatburger and Buffalo's Express restaurant Oct. 12 at 3777 El Indio Highway in Eagle Pass, Texas. The De…

Hawaiian Bros signs 52-unit Florida development deal

October 16, 2026

Hawaiian Bros Island Grill has signed a 52-unit development agreement with Southern Rock to enter Florida.

Firehouse Subs expands development in Dallas-Fort Worth

October 15, 2026

Firehouse Subs has signed a development agreement with Serendipity Management Group to open restaurants throughout Denton County, north of Dallas-Fort Worth.

Flying Biscuit inks franchise deal for Greenville, North Carolina

October 15, 2026

The Flying Biscuit has signed a franchise agreement with Viren Patel to open a restaurant in Greenville, North Carolina. Site selection is underway, with an…

Dillas Quesadillas names Michael Mabry COO

October 14, 2026

Dillas Quesadillas has promoted Michael Mabry from head of franchise development to chief operating officer, effective Oct. 7. In the newly created role, Mabry…