Juice it Up expanding in home state

December 6, 2019

Irvine, California-based Juice It Up continues to broaden its presence in its home state with openings in Ripon and Delano, two rapidly growing communities in…

Chicken Salad Chick under new ownership

December 6, 2019

Brentwood Associates has acquired a majority interest in Chicken Salad Chick from Eagle Merchant Partners.

BurgerFi puts down Portland roots

December 6, 2019

BurgerFi has opened its first restaurant in Portland in conjunction with Aramark at the Roots Food District, a food hall inside Pioneer Place shopping mall.

I Heart Mac & Cheese signs 3-unit deal

December 6, 2019

I Heart Mac & Cheese has inked a three-store development agreement with Raj Patel to bring the brand to Alabama. Two locations will open in Birmingham and…

Mooyah, Pie Five open inside KidZania

December 6, 2019

Kid-focused entertainment centers aren't exactly known for serving delicious food, but KidZania is hoping to change that reputation by partnering with two…

Chicken Salad Chick expands Louisiana footprint

December 6, 2019

Alexandria, Louisiana is the latest home for a Chicken Salad Chick restaurant and marks the fast casual brand's seventh location in the state.

Firehouse Subs CEO on surging sandwich sector quality + pleasant surprises

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

Sometimes — when the restaurant gods are smiling on a brand — a new store prototype not only delivers on its objectives, but produces a whole new benefit or…

Blaze lands one in Brunswick, Georgia

December 6, 2019

Blaze Pizza will open a Brunswick, Georgia location Monday on Glen Isle at the Target/Lowes Shopping Center, with a free 11-inch pizza giveaway day on Dec. 13…

Earl of Sandwich opens first of three more Las Vegas stores

December 5, 2019

Earl of Sandwich is expanding its Las Vegas footprint with the opening of one of three new locations.

Square Pie Guys ‘bootstrapping’ it to the top

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Although Square Pie Guys first opened last year as a weekly pop-up inside Vinyl Wine Bar in San Francisco, the "scrappy" pizza concept now has its own…

Upscale fast casual food hall opening in Manhattan

December 4, 2019

A eight-acre complex featuring a fast casual market is opening soon in Manhattan as a result of a partnership between Brookfield Properties and C3, a…

Cheetos and fro-yo: it's a thing

December 4, 2019

Some things are meant to be together — peanut butter and jelly, ketchup and mustard — but what about fro-yo and Cheetos? It's a combo that Yogurtland is…

The Hummus & Pita Co. drives Midwest expansion forward

December 3, 2019

Mediterranean fast casual brand The Hummus & Pita Co. is continuing its expansion into the Midwest with a multi-unit franchise deal for Columbus, Ohio. The…

Cook's Tortas jumps into franchising with Fransmart's help

December 3, 2019

Fast casual Mexican sandwich brand,Cook's Tortas, is launching a franchise program with the help of development company, Fransmart.

Why Aloha Poke sticks with a simple biz model

Operating a restaurant is obviously complicated, but Aloha Poke CEO Chris Birkinshaw has found that keeping things simple is the way to go.

KC barbecue joint now serving Nebraska Furniture Mart customers

December 2, 2019

Blind Box BBQ is opening Monday inside Nebraska Furniture Mart at 1601 Village West Prkwy., in Kansas City. The 7,000-square-foot restaurant features a bar…

Former pilot bringing Dickey's to Snohomish, Washington

December 2, 2019

Former airlines captain Steve Barton has inked a deal to bring Dickey's Barbecue Pit to Snohomish, Washington.

Muscle Maker files for IPO

November 27, 2019

Fast casual chain, Muscle Maker, aims to raise up to $59 million in an initial public offering on the Nasdaq. The filing is the second try at the public…

Dog Haus headed to Phoenix

November 26, 2019

Dog Haus Biergarten, a fast casual concept with a full bar, is opening next year in Phoenix. Located at 1 E. Washington St., Block 22, it's Franchisee Mondo…

Go! Go! Curry! prepping 7th NYC store

November 26, 2019

Japanese fast casual Go! Go! Go! Curry! is getting ready to open its seventh New York City store.