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.

Blaze blows into Santa Ana

November 30, 2018

Santa Ana, California will welcome a new Blaze Fast Fire'd Pizza on Dec. 3, with a 2,388-square-foot open kitchen restaurant on West MacArthur Boulevard, a…

Pancheros Mexican Grill gears up for North Carolina

November 29, 2018

Pancheros Mexican Grill plans to open three restaurants in Cary, North Carolina over the next several years. The multi-unit agreement with Cary resident…

Captain D’s sets expansion sail for south Florida, North Carolina

November 29, 2018

Captain D's has signed two franchise development deals with experienced multi-unit operators to launch its first south Florida locations and expand in North…

Smashburger franchise taps mobile marketing to drive customer engagement

November 29, 2018

Smashburger franchise owner, Regrub Inc., is using ShopAdvisor’s mobile marketing system to draw new customers and expand customer engagement and so far it's…

Chicken Salad Chick readying launch of three new locations

November 28, 2018

Chicken Salad Chick is expanding nationally with its eleventh Tennessee store, its sixth in Mississippi and its fourth in the greater Orlando area of Florida.

fresh&co kicks off franchise expansion strategy

November 27, 2018

New York-based fresh&co is aiming to expand and has officially announced its franchise strategy to extend its reach in the northeastern U.S.

My Pie plans spring Miami opening

November 27, 2018

My Pie will open it first Florida location next spring, this one in Miami, where the brand said in a news release that it eventually plans to open five…

Designing marketing campaigns to promote growth, sustainability

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

Marketing leaders from F&Co., Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe and Cici's Pizza shared insight on winning marketing campaign strategy during the recent Fast Casual…

I Love Juice Bar opens in another downtown Memphis location

November 27, 2018

I Love Juice Bar is now operating in three Memphis downtown locations, with the latest opening just outside the Tennessee Brewery on Tennessee Street.

Zoup, Ballard Brands, Vale Food share tips, advice on battling payment fraud

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

Top brand leaders from Zoup, Ballard Brands and Vale Food share advice and knowledge of how to prevent payment fraud in a panel session sponsored by Kount.

Mod Pizza to open store No 400

November 23, 2018

Mod pizza will open its 400th location on Friday, Nov. 23, in Kalispell, Montana, also the brand's tenth birthday, a news release said. The company said…