New York's Mamoun's Falafel expanding to California

May 12, 2017

Mamoun's Falafel has signed a multi-unit deal to expand into Northern California. The deal is for eight units, with real estate options being explored in…

KC Chiefs corner back makes the Dickey's Barbecue team

May 12, 2017

NFL player Stanley Jean-Baptiste has joined the Dickey's Barbecue Pit team. The newly signed cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs plans to open two Dickey's…

Chipotle adds former Arby's exec to leadership team

May 11, 2017

Chipotle has hired Scott Boatwright as chief restaurant officer to oversee restaurant operations for the brand’s nearly 2,300 North American restaurants…

Potbelly bellies up to California dining scene

May 11, 2017

Potbelly Sandwich Shop is moving into the busy California restaurant scene, announcing that it has signed an agreement to open four sites over three years in…

Urban Bricks cements Carolinas deal

May 10, 2017

Urban Bricks Pizza has cemented a franchise agreement for three restaurants in the Carolinas as part of the brand's expansion to six other states and Canada, a…

Can 100 Wingstop units heat up the UK?

May 10, 2017

The United Kingdom is Wingstop’s next target. The global chain, which has 1,031 locations, plans to open 100 units there over the next 12 years as part of an…

2 fast casual chicken chains announce openings

May 10, 2017

Two fast casual brands built around chicken have announced openings this week.

Will Brits embrace Tim Horton's?

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

The lessons to be learned in taking a brand to a new country are unfolding live as Tim Hortons UK emerges in her Majesty's homeland.

Lime Fresh under new leadership, opening 7 units

May 10, 2017

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill is opening seven locations in the next 24 months in Florida in the areas of Palm Beach Gardens, Midtown Miami, North Miami, Dania…

How the 'fake KPI system' contributes to lack of talent in UAE's restaurant leadership (part 3)

by Murad Alnasur — Managing Director, FranchiseME / Restonalysis

Editor's note: this is the third part of a series addressing the lack of talent in the F&B industry in the UAE. To see the first 2 parts, click here and…

Fazoli's sets franchise sales record

May 9, 2017

Fazoli's has set a franchise sales record for its fiscal 2017 year ending March 31, signing agreements develop 30 restaurants with 13 franchise groups. This…

The Gyro Shack opens 1st franchised unit

May 9, 2017

The Gyro Shack opened its first franchised location Monday. Located at 6500 Evergreen Way in Everett, Washington, The Gyro Shack features two drive-up windows…

Marshmallow fast casual concept opening in Chicago

May 9, 2017

Chicago is about to get fluffier thanks to a fast casual brand called XO Marshmallow surpassing its $6,500 Kickstarter goal. It will officially open in July in…

Captain D's lures and lands 5 in South Carolina

May 8, 2017

Captain D's has signed an agreement to open five units in South Carolina, a news release said. Goalz Restaurant Group is spearheading the development in the…

Franchise Focus: Owner of 59 Jimmy John's attributes success to empowering employees to working for themselves

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Franchisee Dan Vansteenburg, who has averaged four openings a year since 2011, turns in higher than the company average when it comes to AUVS, and his…

What do execs from Pizza Hut UK, Freshii GB, Crepeaffaire, Farmstand and Caliburger have in common?

Answer: They are all speaking at this year's Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit, being held July 18-20 in London.

Chicken Salad Chick, Fazoli's, Juice it Up, Zoup, Pie Five announce openings

May 4, 2017

Although overall restaurant sales have stalled over the past year, many brands are still experiencing growth. Below are just a few companies that have…

Creator of The Mixx to debut new concept in Kansas City

May 4, 2017

The owner of Kansas City-based The Mixx is opening another fast casual brand, Caffetteria.

EXCLUSIVE: Boloco CEO shares brutally honest tale about making it in the restaurant biz

John Pepper describes how he's struggled for the past two years to get back to where he started.

New study: Fast food is star of the industry

May 3, 2017

Quick-service restaurants and take-out food will be the stars of the U.S. restaurant market for the next five years, according to the latest analysis of the…