Lettuce Entertain You, Mocapay expand mobile offering

July 29, 2012

Mocapay has announced the expansion of its strategic partnership with Lettuce Entertain You, parent company of Wow Bao, to mobile-enable Lettuce Eats Frequent…

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill donates nonperishables to Colo. fire relief efforts

July 29, 2012

Through the help and generosity of its guests, Denver-based Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill has donated more than 500 pounds of nonperishable food items to Care…

I Dream of Falafel cooking series to address healthy back to school eating

July 29, 2012

I Dream of Falafel is gearing up to go “back to school” with the next session of its cooking class series. On Aug. 25, executive chef Henry Nuguid will teach…

Spread of hours in New York

by Rick Casmass — VP Marketing, Valiant

Are you familiar with the regulation regarding the spread of hours in New York? It applies to virtually every restaurant in the state and failure to adhere to…

Ping HD rescues digital menu boards for fast casual chain coolgreens

July 25, 2012

Ping HD, a Denver-based provider of digital menu board and digital signage solutions for the quick-service restaurant and retail industries, recently announced…

Panera Bread sales success boosted by investment initiatives

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

The company sees gains at it continues to improve marketing, catering, operational and food quality.

la Madeleine takes flight with first airport location

July 25, 2012

On July 28, la Madeleine Country French Café will open the doors to its new café at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The Phoenix café is la…

MOOYAH launches turkey burger

July 25, 2012

MOOYAH has announced that it is now using Jennie-O turkey burger available at its 30 restaurant locations across the country.

Yo!Sushi makes U.S. debut in nation's capital

July 24, 2012

United Kingdom-based YO!Sushi has opened its first United States restaurant at the main metro entrance in Union Station in Washington, D.C. This is the first…

Consumer visit and spending gains buoy restaurant count increases

July 24, 2012

With U.S. restaurant visits and consumer spending increasing after a recessionary slump, the restaurant industry posted a 0.5 percent gain in restaurant counts…

Nat'l Restaurant Assoc. to NY Health Board: Beverage ban ineffective

July 24, 2012

New York’s proposed beverage ban is a misguided and ineffective tactic against obesity and unfairly targets the restaurant industry, a leading job creator in…

Baja Fresh opens in Maryland

July 23, 2012

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill has opened a location in Frederick, Md. The restaurant is operated by Jamshed Shah, who brings years of restaurant experience to Baja…

Capriotti's expands to Cedar Rapids

July 23, 2012

Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop is continuing its growth in Iowa with the opening of its second location there. Cedar Rapids will be the newest addition to the…

Peet's Coffee & Tea signs $1 billion sale

July 23, 2012

With its $1 billion deal for Peet’s Coffee & Tea that will take the company private, investment firm Joh. A. Benckiser is making a long-term bet on the…

The next fast casual cuisine: Are we ready?

Consumers are poised and ready for the next fast casual cuisine. But, what is it and how will it affect menu development?

Qdoba launches Instagram campaign

July 22, 2012

Qdoba Mexican Grill has launched a new interactive campaign encouraging guests to share and explore their own passions in exchange for the opportunity to get…

Starbucks to open additional Evolution Fresh locations

July 22, 2012

Starbucks is looking to expand its Evolution Fresh beverage concept and has plans to open three additional locations this year.

Chipotle shifts marketing approach, reports 8% comps increase

by Valerie Killifer — Editor, FastCasual.com

While revenue and same-store sales rise, the company shifts focus to local marketing initiatives.

Saladworks sales up 9.3 percent year to date

July 20, 2012

Saladworks has announced that same-store sales for the second quarter are up 4 percent from last year. Year to date, Saladworks is up 9.3 percent.

Fresh Griller brings farm-to-fork fast casual to California

July 19, 2012

Santa Ana, Calif.-based Fresh Griller is opening its first location in August 2012 in the city's McArthur Plaza.