Love & Honey Fried targeting East Coast growth

September 24, 2026

Love & Honey Fried Chicken, a Philadelphia-founded fast-casual restaurant brand known for its chef-driven menu, is expanding into Massachusetts as part of…

Cheba Hut rolls into Virginia with Midlothian opening

September 23, 2026

Toasted sub brand Cheba Hut will make its Virginia debut Sept. 25 in Midlothian, marking the eighth location for franchisee WAHi Brands Inc.

What is driving Kona Ice’s success?

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Tony Lamb is the Founder and visionary behind Kona Ice, the tropical shaved-ice brand that turned an ice cream truck nightmare into experiences that customers…

Breadless launches franchise expansion with first multi-unit agreement

September 22, 2026

Detroit-based Breadless signed a multi-unit development agreement with Third Coast Harvest LLC, officially launching the brand's franchise expansion strategy.

HB Protein Smoothies signs 6-unit South Florida franchise deal

September 22, 2026

HB Protein Smoothies signed a six-unit development agreement with franchisee Bob Morris to expand in South Florida. The deal marks the Scottsdale…

Chicken Salad Chick continues Florida expansion with Sarasota debut

September 21, 2026

Chicken Salad Chick will open a restaurant in Sarasota, Florida, on Sept. 29 as part of its continued expansion across the state.

Zaxbys signs 2 franchise agreements to expand in Mississippi

September 18, 2026

Zaxbys has signed two franchise agreements with brothers Alan and Eddie Gant to bring the Atlanta-based chicken chain to Winona and Kosciusko, Mississippi.

Slutty Vegan plans 3rd Ohio opening

September 17, 2026

Plant-based burger fast-casual chain Slutty Vegan has signed a franchise agreement with Soul Republic Hospitality Group to open a restaurant in Cincinnati…

Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks making Washington DC debut

September 16, 2026

Big Dave's Cheesesteaks has secured the site for its debut restaurant in the nation's capital, revealing its address at 730 7th St., NW in downtown Washington…

Flying Biscuit Café signs two-unit development agreement for Palm Beach County, Florida

September 16, 2026

The Flying Biscuit Café has signed a multi-unit development agreement to open its first two restaurants in Palm Beach County, Florida.

How Nekter's CTO is using AI to turn more guests into regulars

Nékter Juice Bar CTO Jon Asher joins Fast Casual Nation hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler to break down how AI is reshaping guest personalization, loyalty…

UFG adds 105 locations, signs 148 franchisee deals in 1H

September 15, 2026

United Franchise Group reported robust growth during the first half of 2026, adding 105 locations, signing 148 individual franchisee agreements and executing…

Belle Holdings opens 10th Buffalo Wild Wings GO in Virginia

September 14, 2026

Belle Holdings Inc., led by franchisee Kevin Donham, will open its 10th Buffalo Wild Wings GO location in Virginia on Sept. 17 in Henrico County. The…

Qdoba signs 17-unit development agreement in San Diego County

September 11, 2026

Qdoba Mexican Eats has signed a development agreement with Hyperion Brands to open 17 restaurants across San Diego County, California.

How Penn Station is winning over Gen Z without discounting

Penn Station President Lance Vaught and Curion's Thomas Gilbert join Fast Casual Nation to break down how the 40-year-old sandwich brand is winning over Gen Z…

Presented by Curion Insights

Everbowl expands Arizona presence with South Peoria opening

September 10, 2026

Carlsbad, California-based Everbowl opened a location Sept. 3 at 8402 W. Thunderbird Road in South Peoria, Arizona.

Houston TX Hot Chicken shares UK opening timelines

September 9, 2026

Houston TX Hot Chicken has announced opening timeframes for two U.K. restaurants, a little more than two months after signing a master franchise agreement to…

Chicken Salad Chick opens in West Virginia, expands to 26 states

September 8, 2026

Atlanta-based Chicken Salad Chick will open its first West Virginia restaurant Sept. 16 in Barboursville, expanding its footprint to 26 states.

Firehouse Subs opens 200th Canadian location, doubles footprint

September 4, 2026

Firehouse Subs opened its 200th Canadian restaurant Sept. 3, at 918 85th St. W., in Calgary, Alberta, doubling its Canadian presence over the past two years.

Evergreens dangles reduced royalty rates to land 1st franchisees

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Excluding airport units, the top half of Evergreen's company-owned restaurants averaged more than $1.45 million in annual sales last year