Matternet unveils autonomous drone delivery system through Dave’s Hot Chicken partnership

September 29, 2026

M3 Portal Drop Box, courtesy of Matternet Matternet has unveiled M3, a next-generation autonomous drone delivery system designed to handle high-volume…

Mokas Coffee & Eatery opens 1st franchise-owned location

September 29, 2026

Mokas Coffee & Eatery will open its first franchise-owned location Sept. 30 in Olathe, Kansas.

Mo’ Bettahs expands in home state with Highland, Utah opening

September 28, 2026

Fast casual Hawaiian lunch plate brand Mo' Bettahs is continuing its expansion in its home state of Utah with the opening of a restaurant at 10969 N. Town…

Urbane Cafe expands Southern California footprint with Glendale opening

September 25, 2026

Urbane Cafe will open its first Glendale, California, location Sept. 28 at 249 N. Glendale Ave., expanding the Ventura-based chain's Southern California…

Flying Biscuit Café signs franchise agreement for Charlotte market

September 25, 2026

Flying Biscuit Café has signed a franchise agreement with David Mumby and Jimmy Mumby to bring the breakfast-and-brunch concept to the Charlotte, North…

Starbucks announces 250 store closures

September 24, 2026

Starbucks has confirmed in an email to FastCasual.com that it is closing 250 underperforming U.S. stores this week, even as its North American business returns…

Square integrates Apple Business to boost restaurant visibility on Apple Maps

September 24, 2026

Square has launched a new integration with Apple Business, allowing restaurant operators and other local businesses to manage their presence across Apple Maps…

Angry Chickz to open 48th restaurant nationwide in Sacramento

September 24, 2026

Angry Chickz will open its first Sacramento, California, restaurant Sept. 25 at 4740 Natomas Road, marking the chicken chain's 40th California location and…

Why Dillas Quesadillas simplified its menu to prepare for growth

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

Dillas Quesadillas is simplifying its menu to improve speed, accuracy and the customer experience as it prepares for future growth. In this episode of the…

The $10 cocktail: Will it work on fast casual menus?

Bartender and James Beard nominee Ivy Leyenda joins Fast Casual Nation to break down whether cocktails belong on the fast casual menu.

Cheba Hut rolls into Virginia with Midlothian opening

September 23, 2026

Toasted sub brand Cheba Hut will make its Virginia debut Sept. 25 in Midlothian, marking the eighth location for franchisee WAHi Brands Inc.

85°C Bakery Cafe reaches 100 U.S. locations with Colorado debut

September 23, 2026

85°C Bakery Cafe has entered Colorado with the Sept. 18 opening of its Aurora location, bringing the bakery-cafe brand to 100 locations in the U.S.

Closing the gap between order ready and order in hand

Why the last mile costs operators more than they think. The gap between order ready and order in hand is part of the operation that affects labor efficiency…

Presented by Apex Order Pickup Solutions

What is driving Kona Ice’s success?

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Tony Lamb is the Founder and visionary behind Kona Ice, the tropical shaved-ice brand that turned an ice cream truck nightmare into experiences that customers…

Breadless launches franchise expansion with first multi-unit agreement

September 22, 2026

Detroit-based Breadless signed a multi-unit development agreement with Third Coast Harvest LLC, officially launching the brand's franchise expansion strategy.

HB Protein Smoothies signs 6-unit South Florida franchise deal

September 22, 2026

HB Protein Smoothies signed a six-unit development agreement with franchisee Bob Morris to expand in South Florida. The deal marks the Scottsdale…

Webinar: Order accuracy as the next loyalty battleground

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

In this “Accuracy is the New Loyalty” webinar, Star Micronics’ Craig Kaliebe discusses how labeling, smart scales and other verification tools help operators…

Chicken Salad Chick continues Florida expansion with Sarasota debut

September 21, 2026

Chicken Salad Chick will open a restaurant in Sarasota, Florida, on Sept. 29 as part of its continued expansion across the state.

Bread Head plans 4th Southern California location

September 21, 2026

Bread Head will open its fourth Southern California location in December 2026 at Topanga Village in Woodland Hills, California, less than 2½ years after the…

Paris Baguette partners with ‘Dancing with the Stars’ on drinks, prizes

September 18, 2026

Paris Baguette has partnered with ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" for the first time, introducing two beverages tied to the television show's 35th season.