El Pollo Loco, Yogurtland, Barberitos launch resolution-inspired LTOs

January 5, 2021

California-based fast casuals — Yogurtland and El Pollo Loco — as well as Georgia-based Barberitos have created limited-time offers to help customers keep…

Dog Haus including virtual brands in Chef Collaboration Series

December 29, 2020

Dog Haus is taking its Chef Collaboration Series to the next level with the addition of spin-off creations made exclusively for The Absolute Brands — a…

The 2021 menu battle: Comfort food vs healthier options

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Menu trends experts from Panera Bread, Buffalo Wild Wings, Luna Grill, Culinary Tides, Qdoba and Pure Green predict the coming year's top menu trends.

Relief is at hand: Legislators OK $900B COVID-era relief package

Legislators have singed a $900 billion deal to provide pandemic-era relief to individuals and businesses, including restaurants nationally.

Noodles & Co testing ravioli, tortelloni

December 17, 2020

Noodles & Co is testing ravioli and tortelloni dishes at 21 locations in Colorado, Illinois and Ohio. "Our new ravioli and tortelloni dishes offer a…

Qdoba's Mexican Cauliflower Mash coming to all US stores

December 15, 2020

By Dec. 22, Qdoba's Mexican Cauliflower Mash will be available in all U.S. locations, following its recent test on menus in Indianapolis. Created daily and…

QSR transaction numbers help temper November US restaurant sales declines

December 9, 2020

Even with COVID cases surging throughout the U.S. and some states reducing restaurant capacity, customer transaction declines at major restaurant chains…

Florida's largest food hall opening in spring

December 9, 2020

A 150,000-square-foot food hall focused on food and art will open this spring in Delray Beach less than a block south of Atlantic Avenue. The Menin Development…

Curry Up Now serving low-proof cocktails

December 8, 2020

Curry Up Now is introducing six low-proof cocktails to its menu at all San Francisco Bay Area locations as part of its Mortar & Pestle bar brand, a craft…

Meijer generating 250K restaurant-provided holiday meals

December 3, 2020

Meijer recently launched a holiday meal program designed to support local restaurants and show appreciation for its frontline store and distribution center…

Laying it on thick: Sauce sales set to soar

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

By 2027, the culinary sauce market in the U.S. is projected to be worth nearly another $12 billion or $55.3 billion annually. A lot of that money will be spent…

Blendid teams with Jamba on robotic smoothie maker in Walmart store

December 2, 2020

Blendid, an autonomous, contactless robotic kiosk that offers fresh smoothies, has teamed with Jamba to introduce a co-branded kiosk at a Walmart in Dixon…

Clean Juice adds soup to the menu

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

December 1, 2020

Pure Green, Veggie Grill and Wow Wow have added winter-inspired menu items.

Smokey Bones adds some lift to Wing Experience

December 1, 2020

Casual dining brand, Smokey Bones, is doubling down its efforts with its nearly 1-year-old chicken wing virtual brand, The Wing Experience. The company said in…

Paris Baguette reveals 11 cakes of Christmas

November 30, 2020

Paris Baguette, a bakery-cafe specializing in pastries, breads and cakes, has created 11 festive cakes inspired by the holiday season featuring snowflakes…

Yes, Virginia, there is karma: Momofuku's David Chang wins 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'

Momofuku founder and celebrity restaurateur, David Chang, became the first celebrity to win "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." The winnings will help restaurant…

Chipotle testing brisket

November 30, 2020

Chipotle Mexican Grill is testing smoked brisket at 64 restaurants in Cincinnati and part of Sacramento, California. Chipotle's latest protein features smoked…

Paciugo Gelato drops cocoa bombs

November 24, 2020

Known for its Italian-style artisanal gelato, Paciugo Gelato Caffe is now offering handmade cocoa bombs that melt and release cocoa and marshmallows when hot…

Peet's Coffee teams up with 49ers on 'Faithful Blend'

November 20, 2020

Peet's Coffee and the San Francisco 49ers have teamed up to promote the chain's Faithful Blend. Crafted by Peet's, it embodies the same confidence, strength…

The 'winter (LTO) is coming'

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Customers around the world may be forced to change their holiday plans because of the pandemic, but one constant that they can always count on is that their…