Savvy Sliders adds value menu with options starting at $1.99

October 26, 2026

Savvy Sliders has introduced a value menu featuring items starting at $1.99, including a daily afternoon promotion on custard shakes.

How functional beverages provide new reasons to visit

Functional beverages are creating new opportunities for juice and smoothie bars to attract customers across dayparts. From protein smoothies to energy and…

Chicken Salad Chick CFO Drew Travis on AI site selection and the road to 500 units

Hosts Cherryh Cansler and Paul Barron also break down why the rumored Starbucks and Chipotle deal was a false start, discuss how top brands are navigating…

Swig signs 14-unit deal for Southwest expansion

October 23, 2026

Dirty soda brand Swig has signed a 14-unit franchise agreement with multi-unit franchisees Heather Berry and Brock Stokes, marking its expansion into the…

Pollo Campero names Julio Sanchez US CEO

October 22, 2026

Pollo Campero has appointed Julio Sánchez CEO of its U.S. business, Campero USA Corp., effective immediately. He succeeds Luis Javier Rodas, who spent 26 years…

Urban Bird expands Texas footprint, signs franchise deals in Q3

October 22, 2026

Urban Bird Hot Chicken expanded its Texas footprint and signed franchise development agreements during the third quarter while introducing new programs to…

Dirty soda: 5 ways fast casuals can cash in on the trend

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

From keeping recipes simple to pricing drinks for repeat purchases, operators can turn customized sodas into a profitable traffic driver.

Harlem Shake signs 75-unit franchise agreement in India

October 21, 2026

New York City-based Harlem Shake signed a master franchise agreement with Franchise India and FranIndia to develop 75 units across multiple markets in India.

Sweetgreen refreshes beverage lineup with 2 new flavors

October 21, 2026

Sweetgreen refreshed its housemade beverage lineup with two new flavors and updated recipes for two existing drinks.

Nominations open for Pizza Marketplace Top 100

October 21, 2026

The pizza industry is full of brands pushing boundaries, driving growth, embracing innovation and finding new ways to serve customers. Now, it's time to…

Chicken Salad Chick sets Atlanta grand opening

October 20, 2026

Atlanta-based Chicken Salad Chick will open a new location Oct. 26 at the Hub at Peachtree Center, 231 Peachtree St. in downtown Atlanta.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe signs 40-unit Northeast development deal

October 20, 2026

Atlanta-based Tropical Smoothie Cafe has signed a 40-unit franchise development agreement with Aurify Kingstar to expand the brand's presence. .

State of the Industry: Fast Casual 2026 and Beyond

Explore growth forecasts, operator profitability and pricing pressures, leading brands, menu and LTO trends, and consumer demand for value and innovation—all…

Presented by Datassential, Inc.

OHG Brands opens co-branded Fatburger/Buffalo's Express location in Texas

October 19, 2026

OHG Brands (formerly FAT Brands) opened a co-branded Fatburger and Buffalo's Express restaurant Oct. 12 at 3777 El Indio Highway in Eagle Pass, Texas. The De…

Chipotle turns CJ Carr partnership into a campus loyalty contest

October 19, 2026

Chipotle Mexican Grill is giving Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr a new role: brand ambassador. The name, image and likeness (NIL) partnership between football…

Hawaiian Bros signs 52-unit Florida development deal

October 16, 2026

Hawaiian Bros Island Grill has signed a 52-unit development agreement with Southern Rock to enter Florida.

Cafe Rio partners with Poppy & Pout on beverage-flavored lip balms

October 16, 2026

Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican teamed up with beauty brand Poppy & Pout to create a limited edition of beverage-based lip balms. Café Rio's Mucho Mint…

Firehouse Subs expands development in Dallas-Fort Worth

October 15, 2026

Firehouse Subs has signed a development agreement with Serendipity Management Group to open restaurants throughout Denton County, north of Dallas-Fort Worth.

Flying Biscuit inks franchise deal for Greenville, North Carolina

October 15, 2026

The Flying Biscuit has signed a franchise agreement with Viren Patel to open a restaurant in Greenville, North Carolina. Site selection is underway, with an…

Cava channeling Greek Goddess energy with LTOs

October 14, 2026

Cava is tapping into Mediterranean heritage this fall with the debut of a Greek Goddess lineup across its nationwide fast-casual footprint, headlined by an…