Middle East is hotspot for Western fast casuals

The thriving Middle Eastern economy welcomes American restaurants.

Jim Mizes named president of FREEBIRDS

September 20, 2011

Jim Mizes has been named the new president for FREEBIRDS World Burrito. Mizes has helped grow several multi-unit food service concepts including Jamba Juice…

Uno's fast casual model inks largest franchise deal in company history

September 20, 2011

In the largest franchise deal in its 68-year history, Uno's has announced plans for the opening of 30 locations of Uno Due Go, its fast casual concept…

CherryBerry inks 35-unit deal

September 20, 2011

At least 35 CherryBerry Self-Serve Yogurt Bars will soon be open in Nebraska. Beautiful Brands International (BBI) announced today the signing of a Master…

Pizza Inn expanding Pie Five Pizza Co. concept

September 19, 2011

Pizza Inn Inc. has announced plans to expand its fast casual concept Pie Five Pizza Co., targeting eight additional new locations in Dallas-Fort Worth over the…

BUBBA burger Grill expanding across Florida

September 19, 2011

BUBBA burger has opened two more Original BUBBA burger Grill restaurants in Jacksonville, Fla. One location is in the Point Meadows Shopping Center on the…

Noodles & Co. expands in Iowa

September 14, 2011

Noodles & Company is opening its first restaurant in Ames, Iowa on Sept. 21 at 10:30 a.m. The new restaurant will be located on Duff Avenue in front of the…

YO!Sushi set to make U.S. debut

September 13, 2011

YO!Sushi, a sushi brand based in the United Kingdom, has announced its first franchisee in the U.S. granting the rights to open 10 restaurants in the…

Nando's continues US expansion

September 12, 2011

The opening of Nando’s Peri-Peri at Gaithersburg’s Washingtonian Center last week is the first of three new restaurants the company is opening in Maryland this…

Vets to help expand UFood franchise to military bases

September 11, 2011

UFood Restaurant Group Inc. has signed a joint venture agreement with MBUF LLC, a private investment group of military veterans, to focus on the expansion of…

Corner Bakery Café extends NY reach

September 11, 2011

Corner Bakery Café has two more franchise agreements in New York, which will bring the state's number of locations to 15 over the next six years. Franchisee…

Burger 21 seeking franchisees

September 8, 2011

Owners of The Melting Pot Restaurants Inc. are ready to franchise its fast casual concept, Burger 21.

Wingstop lands in Kentucky

September 7, 2011

Wingstop has signed a four-store development agreement with longtime franchisee Eddie Williams to open its first restaurants in Kentucky beginning with a…

Smashburger hits Middle East

September 6, 2011

Smashburger today announced its first international development agreements to bring the "better burger" chain to the Middle East with locations set to open in…

VooDoo BBQ enters Florida market

September 6, 2011

VooDoo BBQ & Grill Franchise is taking its mojo to Florida, signing a 26-location agreement in Florida that will double the Louisiana-based company's…

Beautiful Brands adds fast casual bakery

September 6, 2011

Beautiful Brands International (BBI) announced today the addition of Tulsa-based Ludger’s Cakes to its portfolio of restaurants to market and franchise…

Chipotle opens second UK store

September 5, 2011

Chipotle's second London location is now open on Baker Street. The chain opened its first European store last year and now has more than 1,000 locations…

Asia welcomes Starbucks Via Ready Brew

September 5, 2011

Starbucks Coffee Company is expanding its VIA Ready Brew to Singapore, one of six additional Asia Pacific markets that will soon offer the coffee. By the end…

Atlanta is home to 15 new Wingstops

September 5, 2011

Wingstop announced today the company has signed multiple development agreements that will result in 15 new restaurants in the Atlanta area.

Veggie burger heats up Cali

September 1, 2011

Luna Grill's new Organic Veggie Burger is so popular that the restaurant sold out of them three times in the first week of opening its Hillcrest location in…