20 Fast Casual Brands to Watch in 2025

We are honored to introduce the 2025 class of “20 Brands to Watch,” and predict they will continue to help elevate the fast casual industry.

Presented by Oracle

Unlocking Memorable Restaurant Experiences by Enhancing Brand Consistency

Customers expect standardized experiences and when those expectations are not met, it can cause confusion, misinterpretation of company values, loss of trust…

The Halal Guys opening Ohio franchise

March 18, 2021

New York City-based The Halal Guys has signed a deal to open its first locations in Ohio and more than double its presence in the Midwest. The Smart Choice…

Discover commits $5M to support Black-owned restaurants

July 6, 2020

Discover Financial Services has committed $5 million to provide assistance to Black-owned restaurants in the U.S. in the form of $25,000 grants for…

Revel Systems becomes preferred POS provider for The Halal Guys

May 28, 2020

Revel Systems announced an agreement to become the preferred point-of-sale system by The Halal Guys at more than 80 of its franchise locations.

Greek from Greece lands first franchise deal

March 12, 2020

Greek from Greece Bakery-Cafe has finalized a deal with Dimitri Gouliaberis to open its first franchise location this summer at a site near Drexel University…

Four Corners Property Trust acquires 2 South Carolina Chick-fil-A, Chipotle locations

March 4, 2020

Real estate investment trust Four Corners Property Trust has acquired a Chick-Fil-A outlet, as well as a Chipotle location in South Carolina, for a combined…

Dillas Quesadillas founder on the value of following 'Jennifer' while feeding the 'Gator'

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

Dillas Quesadillas founder, Kyle Gordon, comes off as the kind of laid-back guy you'd have a beer with. But don't let looks deceive:This one-time college kid…

Uber sells Uber Eats India business to Zomato

January 21, 2020

Uber Technologies Inc. has sold its Indian food delivery business to Zomato, one of that country's largest app-based food delivery services, according to a…

Halal Guys to launch updated mobile app with online ordering, enhanced loyalty

December 2, 2019

The Halal Guys is launching an upgraded version of its mobile app that allows customers to order online and provides additional loyalty benefits, including the…

Chef Chatter: How one high-end chef brought shawarma to San Diego's fast casual scene

Chef Ibrahim wanted to expand his culinary passion by bringing one of the most popular Middle Eastern street foods, shwarma, to San Diego at Simsim Outstanding…

Middle Eastern fast casual brand Zooba arrives in New York

September 26, 2019

In its first expansion move outside of Egypt, Middle Eastern eatery, Zooba, is opening Friday in New York City's Nolita neighborhood.

NYC Chipotle creating holiday windows from 'real' ingredients

December 5, 2018

A New York City Chipotle Mexican Grill is featuring "real ingredients" in its holiday window displays this season. Through Dec. 7, Chipotle's Columbus Circle…

Fajita Pete's to open 10 new Texas locations

November 14, 2018

Houston-based Fajita Pete's, which operates 10 Texas locations, will open 10 more as part of four new franchisee development agreements.

Curry Up Now expanding California footprint

October 31, 2018

Curry Up Now has made its expansion into Southern California official with the solidification of its first site in Orange County. The store, according to a…

Ono Hawaiian BBQ opens 74th location

September 6, 2018

Ono Hawaiian BBQ has continued its California expansion opening its 74th restaurant in the state, according to a press release.

Taboonette Middleterranean launches franchise program

September 6, 2018

New York City restaurant Taboon is now franchising its fast casual concept — Taboonette Middleterranean Kitchen — in select markets across the United States…

Curry Up Now to open in California shopping center

September 4, 2018

Curry Up Now, an Indian fast casual in the U.S., will open a corporate location in San Ramon, California, at the City Center Bishop Ranch, a…

The Gyro Shack to open another location in Washington

August 30, 2018

The Gyro Shack will open a franchisee location this fall in Camas, Washington, according to a press release.

Pokeatery expands to Louisiana

August 28, 2018

Pokeatery, a concept bringing Hawaiian flavors to the mainland, has signed with Revelry Food Group to bring the franchise to southern Louisiana, according to a…