How the menu-labeling ruling will drive traffic to fast casual brands

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

While many brands are worried about how the regulation requiring them to display nutritional info will affect their businesses, brands associated with a health…

How well do you mitigate risk? Learn from those who have been there

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Companies face a new set of risks in today's marketplace due to new technology. The need to manage human resources remains as critical as ever.

Restaurant industry upbeat for 2017; big year for digital marketing

April 24, 2017

This year promises to be a lucrative one for the restaurant industry, according to the Toast Restaurant POS "Restaurant Success in 2017 Industry Report," which…

The Chickery launches breakfast at DC unit

April 24, 2017

This May, the Chickery will begin serving breakfast at its Dupont Circle locattion in Washington D.C., according to a company press release. The Early Bird…

Jersey Mike's sourcing clean turkey

April 21, 2017

Jersey Mike’s Subs is now sourcing turkey raised without antibiotics at its more than 1,200 locations across the country. 

Equity firm invests in Torchy's Tacos

April 20, 2017

Torchy's Tacos — a fast casual restaurant that began as a food truck, has received a minority investment from General Atlantic, a growth equity firm, according…

Mobile Vending University helps prepare food truck owners

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Mobile Vending University provides a certified course in operating a food truck in Pasco, Washington. The attendees are taught by subject matter experts in all…

Spring flavors now trending: Cherries, hot sauces and unicorns?

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Menus across the globe are featuring a few spring trends this season, including ethnic flavors, fresh fruits and veggies, and innovative sauces.

Free webinar: Is your franchise marketing strategy hurting or harming your brand?

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

How is your brand coming across with potential and existing franchisees? If you aren't sure or don't have a well-crafted strategy based on proven best…

Memphis couple launches fast casual brand with organic, vegetarian menu

Mama Gaia, which means "Mother Earth" in ancient Greek, opened last month, offering vegetarian-friendly pitas, quinoa bowls and salads.

Starbucks testing grab-and-go lunch options in Chicago

April 11, 2017

Starbucks is testing grab-and-go lunch options this month in more than 100 stores in Chicago. Named Mercato, which means marketplace in Italian, the offering…

Hopdoddy Burger Bar hires new vice president of food and beverage

April 11, 2017

Hopdoddy Burger Bar has hired Mark Adair as vice president of food and beverage. Adair has 30 years of experience in the industry, and plans to launch seasonal…

2 pizza brands 'lightening up' spring menus

April 10, 2017

Both Mod Pizza and Blaze are taking decidedly "lighter touches" with their spring offerings, adding a few veggies to star on their menus. 

Pei Wei adds poke — rhymes with OK — to the menu

April 5, 2017

Pei Wei is diving into the poke trend by adding a Spicy Polynesian Poke Bowl to the menu. Available now through July, the poke (rhymes with OK)  bowl combines…

Panel puts franchise marketing under the microscope

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Finding the right individuals to become franchise owners requires a well -structured marketing and recruitment program. Four veterans offered their insights…

Fast insights on crisis management, leadership development and restaurant/retail partnerships

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Attendees at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit in Dallas got down to business with fast insights in three key business management areas.

Fazoli's ditching artificial ingredients

April 5, 2017

The menu at Fazoli's will be free of all artificial sweeteners, flavors, preservatives and colors by June 19. With 220 units, Fazoli's is the first national…

Potbelly lures mobile app users with a tasty treat

April 4, 2017

Potbelly Sandwich Shop last week officially launched its mobile app, which features payments, order-ahead capabilities and rewards. 

Food trucks and restaurants – a symbiotic relationship

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

While many limited service restaurants are clearly interested in expanding into food trucks, veteran food truck operators are using the skills they develop on…

Growth slows for restaurant chains in 2016

March 31, 2017

The Top 500 chain restaurants experienced a deceleration in 2016 with cumulative sales growth checking in at 3.6 percent, down from 5.2 percent the prior year…