Auntie Anne's president on 'twisting' with the turns in QSR snack trade

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

Host and QSRweb Editor Shelly Whitehead talks with Kiosk Marketplace Editor Elliot Maras about the industry fallout after the McDonald's contaminated kiosk…

Dickey's franchisee launching his first location in Ohio

December 13, 2018

Ohio-based entrepreneur Donald Gillet is getting ready to open his first location, in Perrysburg, Ohio at the start of next year.

Zoup! franchisees open another Pittsburgh location

December 13, 2018

Zoup! is up and running in the Robinson Town Centre Shopping complex in Pittsburgh and the store marks the brand's fourth Pittsburgh location.

How 3 former Zoes execs teamed up to fuel growth of Bellagreen, Original ChopShop

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Hargett Hunter Capital Partners CEO Jason Morgan tapped two of his former colleagues at Zoes Kitchen to help him develop and expand two emerging fast casual…

Chicken Salad Chick entering Ohio, Illinois markets

December 12, 2018

Chicken Salad Chick, based in Auburn, Alabama, has signed franchise agreements to expand its footprint beyond the Southeast and into the Midwest and South…

Blaze opens in West Vancouver

December 12, 2018

Blaze Fast Fire'd Pizza opens today in  the West Vancouver area of British Columbia in Canada, with an open-kitchen store on Park Royal North, a news release…

Brazilian steakhouse launches as fast casual concept in Orange County

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

December 11, 2018

The fast casual service model does not come to mind when thinking about Brazilian steakhouses, but Silva's Fresh Eatery + Churrascaria is hoping to change…

American Grilled Cheese Kitchen debuts first franchise in Florida

December 11, 2018

American Grilled Cheese Kitchen, based in San Francisco, opened its first franchise store in November in Fort Myers, Florida.

Captain D's expands Louisiana footprint

December 11, 2018

Fast casual seafood brand Captain D’s has opened its latest corporate-owned store in Louisiana, this time in New Iberia at 1120 E. Admiral Doyle Drive.

Blaze paddles in to Portage, Michigan

December 10, 2018

Portage, Michigan will get a Blaze Fast Fire'd Pizza location Thursday, Dec. 13 on South Westnedge Avenue. The 2,400-square-foot open kitchen restaurant seats…

Pie Five expands franchise footprint in Texas

December 7, 2018

Pie Five Pizza will open its 14th Dallas-Fort Worth location with its first store in Murphy, Texas on Dec. 10. The new store marks the brand's 17th in the…

Habit Burger heading to Chicago

December 4, 2018

The Habit Burger Grill is expanding to Illinois and Indiana with a 20-store franchise agreement with Tremendous Brands Group.

Fast casuals will shine bright at Hudson Yards in New York City

December 4, 2018

The Hudson Yards development in New York City will boasts a slew of fast casual brands, including Bluestone Lane, Fuki and Jack’s Stir Brew.

FAT Brands aquires Yalla

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

December 4, 2018

FAT Brands has acquired Yalla Mediterranean, a seven-unit fast casual chain specializing in Mediterranean cuisine. With this acquisition, Yalla — based in Los…

Rush Bowls signs 5-store deal for Michigan locations

December 3, 2018

Rush Bowls has signed a five-store development deal with Elizabeth Lehman, president of Blush Enterprises.

Melt Shop debuts second NJ location

December 3, 2018

Melt Shop has opened its second New Jersey restaurant. The corporate-owned location is in Newport Centre, a Simon mall in New Jersey City, according to a press…

The Madera Group raises $20.85M in latest funding round

December 3, 2018

The Madera Group, which operates several Mexican brands, has raised $20.85 million in funding in its latest equity round. The investment comes from Breakwater…

Zoup prepping launch of 4th Pittsburgh location

December 3, 2018

Zoup will open its fourth Pittsburgh location on Monday, Dec. 10, in the Robinson Town Centre shopping complex, according to a company press release.

Former Pizza Inn, Pie Five CEO leaves retirement behind to expand Tampa-based burger brand

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

After spending a year in retirement, Randy Gier, former CEO of Pizza Inn and Pie Five, has decided to get back in the restaurant business by helping…

Barberitos opening in Greenville, Georgia come December

November 30, 2018

Barberitos is prepping its first location in Greenville, Georgia with plans to open Dec. 3 at 27 South Pleasantburg Drive.