Taking a chopped salad QSR on the road: Chop Stop CEO talks brand expansion

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Can a meat-and-potatoes guy’s chopped salad QSR survive outside of Southern California? Podcast spotlight interviewee Mark Kulkis is convinced of that fact as…

Luna Grill signs first licensing deal

January 17, 2019

Luna Grill has signed its first licensing deal and it's for a location inside the $226 million Sycuan Casino development in San Diego.

Capriotti’s adds Rhode Island to its franchise map

January 17, 2019

Capriotti's Sandwich Shop is moving into Rhode Island with plans to open the first of three franchise locations by April.

'So, what are ya' drinkin'?' One of this year's most complicated questions

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The answer to that age-old question, "So, what are you drinkin'?" has gotten a lot more complicated. But pizza brands that don't brush up on their answers to…

Pokeatery opening first East Coast location Jan. 12

January 10, 2019

Hawaiian poke concept Pokeatery will open its first East Coast store on Saturday, Jan. 12 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Freshii hosting gift card swap Jan. 10

January 9, 2019

Freshii is inviting customers that have a fast food gift card to visit and trade the card in for a free chef-designed menu item.

Veggie Grill opening in Boston

January 9, 2019

Plant-based fast casual Veggie Grill is opening its first Boston location this spring, marking the second East Coast location for the brand.

Potbelly taps Peter Ortiz as VP for franchise development

January 8, 2019

Peter Ortiz is the new vice president of franchise development for Potbelly Sandwich Shop and is tasked with directing the brand's franchise expansion across…

Fazoli's offers furloughed federal workers free entrée

January 8, 2019

Fazoli’s is offering furloughed federal employees a free pizza-baked spaghetti with the purchase of a regular or large drink through Jan. 13.  

Freshii expands partnership with Lifeway Foods

January 7, 2019

Health and wellness brand Freshii will now offer Lifeway Foods' frozen kefir and smoothies in all of its U.S. locations.

Illegal Burger to trial cannabis infusion technology

January 7, 2019

Illegal Burger, part of West Coast Ventures Group Corp. (WCVC), is piloting cannabis infusion technology as it prepares to launch a cannabis-themed restaurant…

Chipotle opening second restaurant in City of London

January 7, 2019

Chipotle is opening its second location in the City of London, marking the brand's seventh London-based restaurant.

Potbelly opening franchise in Odessa

January 4, 2019

The Potbelly Sandwich Shop has opened a franchise location in Odessa, Texas, marking the brand's second west Texas store. Both the Odessa and Midland…

Schlotzsky's president on brand rebirth at age 50

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

QSRweb Editor Shelly Whitehead talks with Fast Casual Editor Cherryh Cansler about the innovators in the Top 20 Brands to Watch report, then Schlotzsky's…

Hummus & Pita opening first Colorado franchise store

January 2, 2019

Hummus & Pita will open its first Colorado franchise store on Jan. 7 on the Sixteenth Street Mall in Denver.

Foodworks opens downtown Minneapolis location

December 20, 2018

Chicago-based hospitality company Foodworks has launched a location inside the Thrivent Financial building in Minneapolis.

Ono Hawaiian BBQ debuts 2nd Bakersfield location

December 19, 2018

Ono Hawaiian BBQ has opened its second restaurant in Bakersfield, California, this time in the Rosedale Village complex near the California State University of…

Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream aims to freeze out the competition

December 19, 2018

 Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream plans to add 15 targeted markets to its location roster in 2019, after opening seven new stores and signing eight agreements at…

How the fast casual franchise can thwart marketing burnout

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

Planning and franchisee involvement are key in averting marketing burnout within the franchise organization.

20 Fast Casual Brands to Watch in 2019

In the first edition of this report, FastCasual reveals 20 of the year’s most newsworthy fast casual concepts and discusses why they not only have the…