Wingstop, Crumbl franchisee adding Lola Beans to portfolio

September 26, 2025

A Crumbl and Wingstop franchise group will bring Lola Beans Coffee to the Dallas-Fort Worth area with a 15-unit deal.

Slice House by Tony Gemignani to enter Idaho

September 26, 2025

Slice House by Tony Gemignani will open in Meridian, Idaho, in November, it's first entry into the state, according to a press release.

How Tony Lamb built the 'world's largest mobile empire'

Fatburger returns to Japan

September 25, 2025

Fatburger is returning to Japan thanks to a deal with Green Micro Factory Inc. to open four locations over the next five years in Okinawa. The first will open…

Panini Kabob opens 27th location, plans expansion

September 25, 2025

Panini Kabob Grill, a Mediterranean scratch kitchen chain, has opened its 27th location at the Mershops North County Mall, marking a continued expansion across…

Pepper Lunch opening in Arizona

September 23, 2025

Pepper Lunch, a Japanese fast casual chain, is celebrating the grand opening of its first Arizona location this weekend at Arizona State University.

Shake Shack names brand chief, plans Hawaii expansion

September 22, 2025

Shake Shack Inc. announced two major moves this month as it prepares for its next phase of growth: the appointment of Michael Fanuele as its first chief brand…

Jimmy John's expanding in Canada

September 19, 2025

Jimmy John's opened its first Winnipeg location Friday, marking the sandwich chain's debut in the city with free sandwiches for its first 100 customers.

Chicken Salad Chick: In a category of 1

Discover how Chicken Salad Chick CEO Scott Deviney transformed a 32-location startup into a 309-unit fast casual empire in under a decade.

Qdoba opening 50 locations in 5-state deal

September 18, 2025

Qdoba Mexican Eats is opening 50 restaurants across five states in the Southwest as part of an agreement with B Wild Investments.

Nature’s Table adding 10 franchised locations in Florida

September 18, 2025

Fast Fresh Brands, the parent company of Nature's Table, signed two agreements to open 10 franchise locations in Florida.

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill relaunches franchise program

September 16, 2025

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill, a fast casual brand with roots in South Beach, has relaunched its franchise program with a "Lime 2.0" model aimed at nationwide…

7 Brew Drive-Thru opening 200 locations

September 16, 2025

Franchise Equity Partners has acquired a majority stake in 7 Crew, the second-largest franchisee of 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee, in a deal aimed at fueling the…

Which Wich opening in Scotland

September 16, 2025

Texas-based Which Wich Superior Sandwiches is expanding into Scotland, marking the latest phase of its rapid growth across the United Kingdom.

Smalls Sliders inks another deal for Kentucky, Tennessee

September 12, 2025

Smalls Sliders has inked its latest deal for Kentucky and Tennessee with entrepreneur Matthew Robinson, according to a press release.

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill CEO reveals revival strategy

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill CEO Patrick Fore joins Fast Casual Nation hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler to discuss the brand's transformation, including a 30…

Chipotle expanding to Asia

September 10, 2025

Chipotle Mexican Grill announced a joint venture with SPC Group on Wednesday to open its first restaurants in Asia, with initial locations planned for South…

Betty Rae's Ice Cream opening 10th location

September 10, 2025

Kansas City-based Betty Rae's Ice Cream is opening its 10th location next year at 9711 N. Ash Ave., in Liberty.

RaceTrac acquires Potbelly Corp for $566M

September 10, 2025

Convenience store giant RaceTrac announced Tuesday it has agreed to acquire sandwich chain Potbelly Corp. for $566 million, according to a company press…

Newk's Eatery CEO discusses tech, its food quality and third-party delivery

In this episode of the Restaurant Operator Podcast, host Mandy Detwiler, editor of Pizza Marketplace and QSRweb.com, chats with Frank Paci, CEO of Newk's…