Juice it Up grows Southern California Footprint with Santa Fe Springs opening

October 14, 2026

Juice It Up! has opened a location at 13344 Telegraph Road in Santa Fe Springs, California, expanding its Southern California footprint.

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…

Starbucks says sugar-free lawsuit allegations have no merit

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Starbucks said the lawsuit filed against it this week over the labeling of its sugar-free protein beverages have no merit.

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…

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.

Ziggi’s Coffee offers free drinks for National Coffee Day

September 28, 2026

Denver-based Ziggi's Coffee will celebrate National Coffee Day by offering a small Daily Brew, Iced Coffee or Cold Brew for free with the purchase of another…

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…

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.

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…

Zaxbys partners with Nerds to bring back strawberry milkshake

September 3, 2026

Zaxbys has joined forces with candy brand Nerds to bring back its Nerds Strawberry Milkshake, according to a company press release. The beverage is available…

HB Protein Smoothies hires Tyler Doolittle to lead real estate, openings

September 2, 2026

HB Protein Smoothies, a Fransmart-backed franchise, has hired Tyler Doolittle as director of real estate and openings. Doolittle will work with franchise…

Fast-casual brand collabs: Making partnership pay off

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Kelly Gray (Hot Head Burritos) Stacey Kane (chief marketing officer) Lori Primavera (Smoothie King) and Traci Graziani (Kraft Heinz) will present their…

Mokas Coffee & Eatery signs 9-unit development deal for Kansas City expansion

August 28, 2026

Mokas Coffee & Eatery has signed a nine-unit development deal with Cornerstone Hospitality to expand across the Kansas City market.

Jeff’s Bagel Run Kicks Off Pumpkin Season August 24

It may still feel like summer outside, but pumpkin season is officially starting at Jeff’s Bagel Run. Beginning August 24, the brand brings back its fall menu…

Smoothie King posts 9% July same-store sales growth, expands franchise pipeline

August 13, 2026

Smoothie King is seeing strong momentum from menu expansion and franchisee investment, reporting 9% same-store sales growth in July and its highest number of…

Ziggi’s, Philadelphia Cream Cheese make beverage debuts with savory latte

August 11, 2026

Ziggi's Coffee and Philadelphia Cream Cheese have teamed up on an Everything Bagel Latte, giving both brands a beverage first, while using the limited-time…

Technology drives 100% franchisee adoption of Beyond Juicery + Eatery pricing strategy

August 10, 2026

Beyond Juicery + Eatery said all of its franchise owners have adopted pricing guidance developed in partnership with restaurant pricing and decision…

The MilkShake Factory expands with Fort Collins, Colorado opening

August 7, 2026

The MilkShake Factory has expanded its footprint with the opening of a new location in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Pittsburgh-based dessert brand opened the…

Tropical Smoothie names Joe Sieve chief development, growth officer

August 7, 2026

Tropical Smoothie Café has hired Joe Sieve as chief development and growth officer, replacing Cheryl Fletcher, who will retire at the end of August.

Second Cup names former Wingstop executive Joe Walker CEO

August 4, 2026

Joe Walker, Courtesy of Second Cup Coffee Company, Inc Toronto-based Second Cup Coffee Co. has named former Wingstop executive Joe Walker as its CEO.