Video: Pei Wei dishes on rebranding, CEO search

CMO Clay Dover gives Cherryh Cansler, editor of FastCasual, the scoop on the chain's rebranding efforts and its search for the perfect CEO.

Blaze Pizza preps 150th location, on target to hit 500 by 2019

June 28, 2016

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza is living up to its name as it's on pace to open its 500th location in three years time — which equates to an average of one new…

Juice It Up! continues strong performance with 10% jump in same-store sales

June 28, 2016

Juice It Up!, a raw juice and smoothie franchise, finished Q2 with a same-store sales increase of 10 percent compared to the previous year. It finished Q1 up…

Captain D's sails into new location

June 28, 2016

Captain D's seafood has opened its ninth Arkansas location, at 2207 West Walnut Street. The location is the second for franchisees Brian Smith and Rodney Coat…

Chicken Salad Chick names new marketing and franchise development chiefs

June 27, 2016

Chicken Salad Chick has named Tom Carr as vice president of marketing and Carrie Evans as director of franchise development.

Why relationship building is critical for a successful franchise

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

Whether you're a franchisor or a franchisee there is one big common aspect tied to everyone's success: a supportive, collaborative, trusting relationship.

Lime Fresh Mexican expanding in South Florida

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

June 24, 2016

Despite its recent sale of six Florida units to Rubio's Restaurants, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill will expand its presence in South Florida when two existing…

Slapfish swims inland into 6 new states

June 23, 2016

Slapfish has signed a franchise deal to open locations in Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and Texas.

Panda Express sweeps through Manhattan

June 23, 2016

The grand opening of the newest Panda Express location in Manhattan, New York, located at 835 Third Ave, will be on June 24.

Tropical Smoothie Café unveils another Texas location

June 23, 2016

Tropical Smoothie Cafe's newest location in Texas, owned by Vanessa Boles, at 19075 I-45 South, #116C in Shenandoah, will open in September.

Blaze pizza stakes out new locations in Ontario, Texas

June 23, 2016

Blaze pizza announced this week that it is opening two locations in North America.

Taja India awards franchise in Lone Star state

June 23, 2016

Taja India, the Denver-based, Indian restaurant concept, is opening in Pearland, Texas in late July. The franchise agreement, signed by Parazon Inc., outlines…

Dickey's BBQ Pit opens another San Antonio unit, launches charitable foundation

June 23, 2016

Dickey's Barbecue Pit, ranked No. 1 in FastCasual's Top 100 Movers and Shakers, has expanded deeper into San Antonio, Texas and launched  a charitable…

Sin City says hello to The Halal Guys

June 22, 2016

The Halal Guys announced this week that franchisee, FOMO THG is opening the chain's first Nevada location right in the heart of Sin City. The Las Vegas…

5 strategies for franchise success over the long haul

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

By adopting five strategic actions, a franchisee can build strong customer retention and loyalty.

As Pieology gobbles up Project Pie, are fast casual pizza wars set to go nuclear?

June 22, 2016

Pizza Wars might just have entered a whole new phase today when Pieology Pizzeria announced it is acquiring its competitor, Project Pie — the first fast casual…

Muscle Maker Grill opens 2 locations in Orange County

June 21, 2016

Two new Muscle Maker Grill California locations are opening, one at 2775 North Main Street in Santa Ana, and another at 2646 DuPont Drive in Irvine, come June…

El Pollo Loco signs deal with PLM Restaurants

June 21, 2016

PLM Restaurants signed a franchise deal to acquire two existing El Pollo Loco Tucson locations, and open six new locations by August 2019. 

Umami Burger partners with Medeiros to launch in Japan

June 21, 2016

Umami Burger is joining Japanese company, Medeiros Holdings Co., Ltd., to launch 10 licensed locations in Japan in the next five years. The first location…

Are you ready to 'pitch' your fast casual concept?

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Fast Casual is now accepting entries for The Perfect Pitch — what we like to describe as a friendlier version of "Shark Tank."