McAlister's upgrades rewards program

February 2, 2018

McAlister's Deli has launched McAlister's Rewards to ease the stress of customers tracking points and visits, according to a company press release. It sends…

Giardino Gourmet Salads expanding South Florida footprint

February 2, 2018

Giardino Gourmet Salads is expanding its South Florida footprint with the opening of its 16th and 17th units. One will open in North Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in…

Tokyo Cafe, Press Waffle Co, Not Just Q join Dallas foodhall

February 2, 2018

Foodhall at Crockett Row opening in Dallas this year has added four brands to its lineup. Chef Grady Spears and the teams behind Tokyo Cafe, Press Waffle Co.

Blaze Pizza fires up mobile learning

February 1, 2018

Blaze Pizza has partnered with PlayerLync to help enhance its mobile learning initiatives. The platform, which delivers learning management, operational…

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers headed to Dubai

January 31, 2018

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has signed a development and master franchise agreement with Younata Investment Limited to bring its concept to the…

Chipotle offering free delivery for Super Bowl weekend

January 31, 2018

Fans in the 40 major metropolitan areas in the U.S. markets where Postmates delivers can place their delivery orders online or on the Postmates app using the…

California Tortilla expanding in North Carolina, South Carolina, Kansas

January 30, 2018

California Tortilla is expanding its footprint outside the mid-Atlantic region and will soon debut locations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Kansas. This…

Lina's opens in 3 countries

January 26, 2018

Lina's Paris has opened stores in South Korea, Qatar and Marseille, France, according to a press release. The French limited-service French café has opened a…

Slim Chickens leaving mark on UK

The chicken chain joins several western-based brands taking on the UK, which is such a hotbed of action that the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit is…

Rush Bowls inks Texas deal

January 25, 2018

Rush Bowls — a fast casual restaurant chain known for its meals-in-a-bowl crafted from the finest fruit, topped with granola and honey, and blended with…

Embassy Suites by Hilton cooks up fast casual concept

January 24, 2018

Embassy Suites by Hilton is undergoing a refresh of its food and beverage program, which includes a fast casual concept, E'Terie Bar & Grill, as well as…

Afters Ice Cream expanding Cali footprint

January 24, 2018

Afters Ice Cream is opening in Woodland Hills, California, in Westfield Topanga’s The Village Shopping Center. The grand opening festivities start at …

Squisito going back to its roots

January 24, 2018

Martin Hernandez, franchisee with Squisito Franchise Enterprises, is opening his first Squisito Pizza & Pasta this year in Queenstown, Maryland.

Wayback Burgers, Juice It Up, Gigi's Cupcakes report solid growth in 2017

Wayback Burgers, Juice it Up and Gigi's Cupcakes may not seem to have much in common, but the three fast casual brands reported solid numbers in 2017, with…

Zoup's on in Centerville, Ohio

January 23, 2018

Zoup is now open for business in Centerville, Ohio, inside Cornerstone, a Dayton-area mixed-use development. The restaurant marks the brand's 26th Ohio…

Flame Broiler opens in San Juan Capistrano, California

January 23, 2018

  Flame Broiler opened its latest unit this week in San Juan Capistrano, California. It celebrated Monday with a grand opening and is featuring special offers…

Melt Shop plants 1st international flag in Kuwait

January 23, 2018

Melt Shop has opened its first international franchise location in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Located at Al Hamra Mall and Luxury Center, Melt Shop's newest…

Fatburger opening in Scotland

January 19, 2018

Fatburger and  Buffalo's Express are opening three co-branded units across Scotland in the next five years, the first of which is planned for Dundee, according…

Turkish-American sisters now franchising Flatbread Grill

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Turkish-American Sisters — Arzu, Fusun, and Gonca Esendemir — are now franchising their fast casual concept —  Flatbread Grill.

Fazoli's ends 2017 with growth spurt

January 18, 2018

The end of  2017 was all about growth at Fazoli's. It signed six agreements to develop a total of 15 restaurants nationwide and also opened five restaurants …