Johnny Rockets adding 23 international locations

October 11, 2019

Johnny Rockets, a 33-year old American restaurant chain that has fast casual locations and full-service restaurants, is on track to open 23 restaurants this…

Starbucks expanding Community Store in South Korea come 2020

October 11, 2019

Starbucks Korea is expanding its profit-sharing Community Store program and plans to open the first of several locations in early 2020.

Luna snags former Taco Bell, CKE execs to lead growth

October 11, 2019

Luna Grill has appointed two industry veterans in hopes of accelerating growth. Rich Pinnella, a former VP at Taco Bell, is the brand's first chief brand…

Chef Chatter: 4 ways to make your food stand out

Janet Tatarka, director of bakery logistics and training at Great Harvest Bread Co, discusses the importance of brands adhering to their values in order to…

Hey, Hollywood: Let's getting 'Smashed'

October 10, 2019

Smashed is opening Friday in Hollywood, serving cocktails paired with smashed burgers and fries, according to a company press release. The fast casual concept…

Potbelly Sandwich Shop arriving in Macy's stores

October 10, 2019

Potbelly Sandwich Shop will open in four Macy's department stores via a multi-unit franchise deal with the retailer.

South Korea next target for The Habit

October 10, 2019

The Habit Burger Grill is setting its sights on South Korea as its next international growth target and has partnered with Bridging Culture Worldwide to…

McAlister's signs major development deal with Sun Holdings

October 9, 2019

McAlister's Deli has signed the largest development deal in the company's history with Sun Holdings affiliate Best Choice Restaurants, a franchise organization…

Flame Broiler adds to California store count

October 8, 2019

Flame Broiler, which serves healthy rice bowls, is opening Oct. 14 in Bakersfield, California. 

Tropical Smoothie ending year with a bang

October 8, 2019

Tropical Smoothie Cafe, which awarded 64 franchise agreements in the third quarter of this year, expects to have signed 200 franchise agreements, open 13…

Mod goes to Canada

October 8, 2019

Mod Super Fast Pizza Holdings LLC is expanding into Canada via an agreement with V.I. Pizza Inc., led by Jim Hayden, Jeff Jefford and Ken Whitaker, who operate…

Fazoli's adding Florida units

October 8, 2019

Lexington, Kentucky-based Fazoli's is adding three units in Florida via an area development agreement with Matt Clift of CliftClem Holding. The first unit will…

Panera SVP giving behind-the-scenes look at innovation strategy

October 7, 2019

Karen Kelley, Panera SVP and chief restaurant operations officer, will keynote the Fast Casual Executive Summit, Oct. 13-15 in Austin.

Shake Shack promotes CFO to president

October 3, 2019

Shake Shack Inc. has promoted CFO Tara Comonte to president, where she will focus on scaling the company's infrastructure, broadening support and guidance…

Japanese fast casual concept opens third unit

October 3, 2019

Supertoro, a Japanese fast casual concept, has opened its third location, according to parent company K2 Restaurants. Located at Echo Park in Los Angeles, the…

Ohio Penn Station Subs sold to new franchisee

October 2, 2019

Quaker Hospitality Holdings has purchased 18 Ohio Penn Station East Coast Subs from PS Management, according to a company press release. Partners Andrew…

Cincinnati Bengals guard bringing Famous Ike's Love & Sandwiches to East Coast

October 2, 2019

Ike's Love & Sandwiches, a 70-unit San Francisco-based sandwich chain, has solidified a multi-unit franchise deal with NFL star John Miller, a guard for…

Juice It Up hires former CPK executive

October 2, 2019

Juice It Up has hired Natalie Eaglin as its director of marketing. Leveraging over 12 years of marketing experience in the restaurant industry, Eaglin was with…

Jersey's Bubbakoo's Burritos headed out west to California

October 2, 2019

Bubbakoo's Burritos, a Jersey Shore-based fast casual concept, is entering California with a five-unit deal with a Marie Callendar franchisee, Michael Brannon.

Fazoli's adding to Missouri store count

October 2, 2019

Fazoli's, which has nearly 220 units in the U.S., has signed an area development agreement with Franchisee Joshua Kroeger, of Kroeger Enterprises, to bring two…