Boston's Fóumami ready to go national

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Michael Wang, a third-generation restaurateur, is ready to expand the concept he founded in 2010.

Jimmy's Egg gets 'crackin' in Iowa

May 30, 2017

Jimmy's Egg is opening its first Iowa location in June on Southeast University Avenue in West Des Moines, a news release said. The 105-seat location near the…

PJ's Coffee updates logo, decor

May 30, 2017

PJ's Coffee has a new brand identity, including its first logo refresh in more than a decade, according to a company press release.

Japan welcomes 2nd Pie Hole

May 25, 2017

The Pie Hole has opened the doors to its newest store in Tokyo, Japan. The Pie Hole’s menu fits in perfectly with Japan’s coffee culture, according to a…

From wobbly table fixes to herbal refrigerators, innovation was on display at NRA (Part 1)

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

More than 45,000 buyers in the restaurant industry hit Chicago this week to check out the thousands of products and services on display at the National…

Bruster's to open 5 Phoenix-area locations

May 24, 2017

Five Bruster's locations will soon bring cool relief to the people of Phoenix, Arizona. The chain has signed a new franchise deal for the area, as part of its…

Salata breaks ground on 1st Atlanta unit

May 23, 2017

Salata broke ground this week on its first Atlanta restaurant, located at 265 19th St. NW, in Atlantic Station, according to a press release.

2017 Fast Casual Top 100

This year’s list of Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers recognizes 76 brands and 24 industry executives.

San Francisco's Curry Up Now, Tava Kitchen merge

May 19, 2017

San Francisco's Curry Up Now has acquired Tava Kitchen, also based in San Francisco, according to a company press release.

LEON lands $32M investment to fuel UK, US growth

May 19, 2017

LEON, a healthy fast casual brand based in London, has received a £25 million (about $32 million U.S.) investment from Spice, a company controlled by GP…

Salata making Oklahoma debut

May 15, 2017

Salata is opening its first Oklahoma City location Thursday at 12200 N. MacArthur Blvd. It will be the first Salata in Oklahoma and among more than 6…

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…