FAT Brands expanding in Fresno

May 11, 2020

FAT Brands Inc., parent company of Fatburger, Buffalo's Cafe, Buffalo's Express, Hurricane Grill & Wings, Ponderosa & Bonanza Steakhouses, Elevation…

R&R BBQ names former MOD, Qdoba exec as president

May 11, 2020

R&R BBQ, based in Utah, has named Neil Harfert as president, as the brand's founders, Rod and Roger Livingston, are retiring, according to a company press…

Slim Chickens franchisee opening 10th store

May 8, 2020

Dixie Chicken, a Slim Chickens franchisee, is opening its 10th unit May 15 at 2200 East Main St., in Russellville, Arkansas, and is slated to open 15-20 more…

Golden Chick president promises 500 stores, Netsurion on speeding up contactless pickup

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

Although just 189-stores in size now, Golden Chick is planning a lot of hatchlings for the future, with a goal of 500 stores nationally by 2030, according to…

Umami Burger opens 28th location, 100 more planned

May 8, 2020

Umami Burger is opening the first of five locations in the Middle East, slated for Doha, which will mark its 28th location.

I Heart Mac & Cheese to open 20th Texas unit

May 7, 2020

I Heart Mac & Cheese has signed a franchise agreement with Verlan Hoopes to continue the brand's expansion across Texas. He will be opening one location in…

Smokey Bones embraces fast casual model via ghost kitchen

May 4, 2020

Smokey Bones has partnered with Kitchen United to open a ghost kitchen Chicago offering delivery-only. Barbecue fans may order through Grubhub, Uber Eats…

10 reasons Fast Casual's Top 100 will be 'the virtual event of the year'

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The 2020 Fast Casual Top 100 winners will be revealed during a live, virtual gala May 15.

Lefty's Famous Cheesesteaks to double footprint by year's end

May 4, 2020

Multi-brand franchisor, Allie T. Mallad, and Detroit-based entrepreneur, Sam Berry, are joining forces to expand Lefty's Famous Cheesesteaks Hoagies &…

PizzaRev opens 1st Virginia store Friday

April 28, 2020

Los Angeles-based PizzaRev will open its first Virginia store Friday, this one located in Virginia Beach. And though the store will only offer delivery and…

Coolgreens opens third Dallas location

April 27, 2020

Coolgreens, a healthy lifestyle eatery, now has three locations in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.

It's business (almost) as usual at I Heart Mac & Cheese

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Although sales are down 60-75% at I Heart Mac & Cheese, CEO Steve Giordanell is moving ahead with growth plans.

Franchisors on the sale hunt despite COVID-19 crisis

April 3, 2020

About two-thirds of franchisors are actively advancing franchise sales efforts despite the COVID-19 pandemic hitting across the globe.

I Heart Mac & Cheese heading to Arizona

April 3, 2020

I Heart Mac & Cheese, a concept specializing in made-to-order macaroni and cheese bowls and grilled cheese sandwiches, has signed a franchise agreement…

Rise Southern Biscuits signs multi-unit deal amid pandemic

March 31, 2020

Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken has signed a five-unit deal with franchisees, Dr. Parker Simon, and his partner, Bradley Turney, to open…

Muscle Maker Grill opens 6th military base location

March 30, 2020

Muscle Maker Grill opens Monday at MCCS Hampton Roads at Camp Elmore, a U.S. Marine Corps base in Norfolk, Virginia that is a satellite of the Naval station…

Wahlburgers replacing restaurants inside Hy-Vee stores

March 29, 2020

Hy-Vee, a grocer based in the Midwest that became Wahlburgers' largest franchisee three years ago, is adding to that lead by transforming all its Market Grille…

Dog Haus launching restaurant group to house 9 brands

March 26, 2020

The founders of Dog Haus — Hagop Giragossian, Quasim Riaz and André Vener — are taking their gourmet hot dogs, sausages and burgers to a whole new level with…

Boloco CEO: 'Survival is in question'

Boloco CEO John Pepper calls on customers to help him stay open.

Foodservice organizations partner to ensure retailers receive food deliveries

March 19, 2020

The International Foodservice Distributors Association and FMI-Food Industry Association have created a program to connect foodservice distributors that have…