Is Chicago's Hey Sugar as good as it looks?

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

"Hey, Sugar" is no longer only a term of endearment; it's a fast casual bakery in Geneva, Illinois, and the creation of Owner Sarika Singh, who opened the…

Yelp: Pandemic permanently closes nearly 16K restaurants

July 27, 2020

Sixty percent of the more than 26,000 restaurants that were temporarily shuttered by the pandemic will not reopen, according to the Yelp Economic Average…

Hungry Howie's pushes its borders, while Lavu puts a premium on online promotion

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

Hungry Howie's CEO joins today's podcast with the brand's plan to "move on out" around its Motown-area home and beyond. Then Lavu's CEO points to the…

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf gets 'Smashed'

July 22, 2020

Smashburger is serving a line of milkshakes created by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on Sunday to celebrate National Coffee Milkshake Day. A single-day promo…

3 ways healthy fast casuals can increase sales amid COVID-19

After months of eating pizza delivery or burger takeout, people are starting to get back on track with their healthy eating habits, and fast casuals can…

Rapid Fired LTO solves the 'pizza or barbecue' dilemna

July 21, 2020

With many of us in these warm summer days torn on dinner choices between ordering pizza and firing up the grill, Ohio-based Rapid Fired Pizza is providing…

Ain't no party like a plant-based party

July 20, 2020

Veggie Grill, said U.S. customers can help those in need and the planet this week by eating a vegan meal. Veggie Grill, the largest plant-based chain in the…

Chipotle offering Tractor Beverage lemonade, aguas fresca, tea

July 20, 2020

Chipotle Mexican Grill has rolled out a line of non-GMO and certified organic beverages from Tractor Beverage Co.

Elevation Burger debuts vegan milkshake

July 16, 2020

All U.S.-based Elevation Burger locations are now offering a vegan milkshake made of vanilla oat milk ice cream and unsweetened almond milk.

Meatless Farm Survey Says Over a Quarter of Americans Will Opt for Plant-Based Meat Alternatives When Restaurants Reopen

With Americans champing at the bit to get back to daily routines and neighborhood restaurants, this survey's findings are a telling sign of what restaurant…

NRA sends emergency restaurant support plan to legislators

The National Restaurant Association tells Congress the industry needs help and it needs it now.

Coca-Cola rolls out contactless Freestyle beverage dispenser

July 15, 2020

The Coca-Cola Co. is rolling out contactless, triggered via smartphone, for its Freestyle self-service dispenser used in restaurants, as the coronavirus…

Yogurtland expands dairy-free offerings

July 15, 2020

If you like piña coladas and eating vegan, Yogurtland may have the dairy-free flavor for you: Piña Colada swirl. Fortified with Vitamin C, the gluten-free…

Kraft Heinz invests $48M to expand Missouri manufacturing operation

July 14, 2020

Kraft Heinz has announced plans to invest in its Springfield, Missouri manufacturing facility as part of a five-year, $48 million project to enhance its…

Merchants Foodservice CEO urges support for emergency foodservice relief bill

July 14, 2020

Andy Mercier, president and CEO of Merchants Foodservice, based in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, has called for support of the bipartisan bill introduced to…

Chipotle tests cilantro-lime cauliflower rice

July 13, 2020

Chipotle Mexican Grill will start testing cilantro-lime cauliflower rice at 55 Denver stores and throughout Wisconsin this Wednesday, July 15, a news release…

Why Top Chef Joe Sasto is passionate about cannabis cuisine

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Cannabis culinary artist Chef Joe Sasto discusses the art and science behind cannabis pairing dinners.

As COVID-19 cases grow, restaurant transactions fall

July 7, 2020

For the second week, previous signs of recovering recovery for U.S. restaurants are wavering as the number of COVID-19 cases grows nationally. For the last…

Jersey Mike's teams up with all star baseball player on inspiring youth campaign

June 29, 2020

Jersey Mike's Subs is teaming up with professional baseball player and All Star Aaron Judge on a campaign to benefit Judge's All Rise Foundation, which…

Muscle Maker Grill pilots new concept, expanded menu

June 25, 2020

Muscle Maker Grill Inc. is piloting a new concept name and expanded burger menu at a Muscle Maker Grill location in Lynchburg, Virginia.