HTeaO co-founder steps down, names Brian Wise as CEO

October 12, 2026

HTeaO opened nine stores across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas in the third quarter and appointed Brian Wise as CEO, succeeding co-founder Justin Howe, who…

Snooze Eatery names Amy Hom COO

October 9, 2026

Denver-based Snooze Eatery has hired Amy Hom as chief operating officer, effective Sept. 28, as the breakfast-and-brunch chain invests in operations and plans…

Newk’s Eatery 2nd second Wichita location

October 9, 2026

Newk's Eatery has opened its second Wichita, Kansas, restaurant, expanding its local presence just 10 months after its first location debuted.

Ono Hawaiian BBQ opens second Texas location in McKinney

October 8, 2026

Ono Hawaiian BBQ opened its second Texas location Oct. 2 at 4610 W. University Drive in McKinney, just months after the Hawaiian fast-casual brand made its…

The foundation for Rooted: 7 ingredients, simplicity and trust

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Rooted founder Lily Rivkin Friend built a fast-casual concept around simplicity and trust. Its seven-ingredient rule keeps food and operations streamlined…

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue to enter Canada with 5-unit deal

October 7, 2026

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue has signed a five-unit development agreement with Edmonton Ice District Ltd. to enter Canada.

Biscuit Belly CEO reveals practical survival kit for founders

What does it take for an emerging restaurant brand to scale without losing its identity? On this episode of Fast Casual Nation, hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh…

Presented by Mountaire Farms

Uber to purchase ezCater in $2.3B deal

October 6, 2026

Uber has agreed to acquire workplace catering platform ezCater in an all-cash transaction valued at $2.3 billion, a move that will expand Uber Eats deeper into…

Bloomin’ leadership lessons with Tim Gannon, co-founder of Outback Steakhouse

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Outback Steakhouse co-Founder Tim Gannon shares how with only $37, a ripped-up $1 million check and two great partners, a legendary brand was built and the…

True Food Kitchen files for Chapter 11, closes 12 restaurants

October 5, 2026

Phoenix-based True Food Kitchen filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Oct. 4 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas as it…

FCES keynote: To go far, go together

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

Chicken Salad Chick’s story shows that scaling successfully isn’t necessarily about moving faster or constantly reinventing the brand. It’s about knowing what…

Chipotle opens 1,500th Chipotlane in Florida

October 5, 2026

Chipotle Mexican Grill opened its 1,500th Chipotlane Sept. 29 at 16680 SR 64 East in Bradenton, Florida.

Swig to enter Pacific Northwest with 11-unit deal

October 2, 2026

Swig will enter the Pacific Northwest with an 11-unit franchise agreement with Sean Collins, Jared Collins and Ramey Mills. The franchisees plan to open their…

Freddy’s signs 10-unit deal in Georgia, South Carolina

October 2, 2026

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has signed a 10-unit franchise agreement with multi-brand operator ELJ Investments to expand the brand in Georgia…

la Madeleine signs 8-location deal to enter Kansas City

October 1, 2026

la Madeleine has signed an eight-location development agreement with Eddie Musallet of Express Stop and The Musallet Group to enter the Kansas City…

The Red Chickz signs franchise development agreements in DFW, Las Vegas

October 1, 2026

Los Angeles-based Nashville hot chicken concept The Red Chickz has signed franchise development agreements to expand in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and enter…

Cava names John Ludeke chief marketing officer

September 30, 2026

Cava has named John Ludeke chief marketing officer. He will lead the fast-casual chain's marketing organization as it continues to expand.

Fuku CEO chats about real estate decisions that can make or break a brand

On this episode of Fast Casual Nation, Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler talk with Claudia Lezcano, CEO of Fuku, about how the David Chang chicken brand is…

Kutlerri.ai raises $4M to expand AI agents for restaurant sales, costs

September 30, 2026

Kutlerri.ai has raised $4 million from Houston-based Narahari Investments to accelerate development of its AI-powered agents, which are designed to increase…

Survey: Restaurant operators are optimistic, but equipment costs squeeze cash flow

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

A survey reveals that a percentage of restaurant owner/operators are optimistic, even in the face of rising costs and concerns over replacing equipment.