The Chickery adds 20 Middle East locations

March 28, 2017

The Chickery has signed its first franchise deal in the Middle East for 20 locations in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, according to a press release.

Tijuana Flats opens 2nd Sunshine State location

March 28, 2017

St. Augustine, Florida, will be the Tijuana Flats' newest home on April 3, according to a press release.

Focus Brands franchisee: 'Focusing on disparities will not advance your career'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Melanie Hoggard is a Focus Brands franchisee with her hands in three concepts — Moe's Southwest Grill, Auntie Anne's Pretzels and Cinnabon.

With 10 million daily food deliveries, Meituan-Dianping a name to know

March 28, 2017

It may be relatively unknown in the Western World, but in 20 of China's biggest cities, the name Meituan-Dianping is as commonly heard as Amazon and Google.

Couple expands Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Colorado

March 27, 2017

Craig and Dianne LeMieux, area developers for Tropical Smoothie Café, are leading an initiative to grow the concept in Colorado, specifically targeting Denver…

J. Gumbo franchisor sees significant growth

March 27, 2017

Gumbo Growth LLC has opened three J. Gumbo's locations and plans to open two more, one in April and the other in May, according to a press release.

Togo's opens additional San Francisco Bay area location

March 27, 2017

Ali Navabpour, an 18-year Togo's franchisee, has opened his second location in the San Francisco Bay area town of Fremont, according to a press release.

Former Pei Wei CMO named president of Velvet Taco

March 27, 2017

Dallas-based Velvet Taco has named Clay Dover president, according to Front Burner, the chain’s parent company led by CEO Randy DeWitt.

McAlister's franchisee: 'Don't climb the ladder; build your own'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Heather Ricks, a McAlister's Deli franchisee in Virginia, has a six-person management team. Five are females, and one of her restaurants boast an all-female…

Rosati's CEO: 'If your company is a boys club then join the club'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Marla Topliff, president of Rosati's Pizza, fell in love with the restaurant business after working as a marketer for Rosati's.

Capriotti's readying first Indiana location

March 24, 2017

Brother-franchisee team Andrew and Ryan Bonnell will open their first Capriotti's Sandwich Shop in Indianapolis, according to a press release. The unit is also…

CoreLife Eatery partners with industry veteran

March 24, 2017

CoreLife Eatery will open 10 locations in Indiana with the help of restaurant industry veteran Melissa Rohwer, according to a press release.

Beehive Kitchen opens in Ft. Lauderdale

March 24, 2017

Centurion Restaurant Group's newest concept, Beehive Kitchen, will open on March 29 in Fort Lauderdale, according to a press release.

HuHot founder: 'Delegate well and train others'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Linda Vap, president and founder of HuHot Mongolian Grill, was a scientist before she got into the restaurant business.

Dillas Quesadillas opens another Dallas location

March 23, 2017

Dillas Quesadillas, brainchild of Kyle Gordon, former managing partner at Raising Canes, will open its second location in the Dallas area on April 14…

Pita Pit adds 12 business coaches to franchisee field support system

March 23, 2017

Pita Pit franchisees can now tap 12 business coaches which are now part of the franchise support system, according to a press release.

Starbucks to create 240K jobs

The chain is on target to create more than 240,000 jobs globally —  68,000 in the U.S. — by opening 12,000 stores globally and 3,400 new stores in the U.S. by…

Pizza Press presses forward, 150 new sites by late 2018

March 23, 2017

Five years after its inception, Pizza Press is having a growth spurt, announcing this week plans to open nearly 150 restaurants worldwide over the next two…

Cottage Inn exec: 'Female leaders ask the right questions'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Deborah Masse has led Cottage Inn to double-digit sales growth by rolling out a new branding initiative and through the introduction of digital and social…

The Carving Board kicks off franchising initiative

March 22, 2017

The Carving Board Sandwiches is looking to capitalize on recent growth initiatives in California and Dubai by partnering with local franchisees in cities…