Burger 21 bellies up to the bar

May 31, 2016

Ocala, Florida, is now home to Burger 21's first freestanding restaurant with a full-service bar and outdoor patio, according to a company press release.

New burrito restaurant franchisor hits the national scene

May 31, 2016

A popular single-location North Carolina-based restaurant, Go Burrito, is taking the plunge this week into franchising its concepts. The 3-year-old…

Pressure building: McDonald's and joint employment

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

As the issue of joint responsibility for employee wages and other workplace issues winds its way through the docket with the NLRB, the battles lines appear to…

Get Fried hoping to open in Middle East

May 27, 2016

The French fry fast food chain, Get Fried 9#GetFried Fry Cafe), has entered into an exclusive master franchise agreement with World Franchise Associates to…

Former Corner Bakery exec takes over franchise sales at Smashburger

May 27, 2016

Smashburger has hired Gregg Koffler, who was previously overseeing franchise sales for Corner Bakery Cafe, for the position of senior VP of franchise sales and…

Dickey's Barbecue Pit expanding in Texas, Louisiana, California

May 26, 2016

Dickey's Barbecue Pit has partnered with Marshland Foods to open eight locations along the I-10 Corridor in Texas and Louisiana. It also signed a deal to open…

Smoke's Brands launches 3-brand concept

May 26, 2016

Smoke's Brands, a Canadian brand known best for its fast casual brand, Smoke's Poutinerie, has opened a Smoke's Food Court concept, which includes Smoke's…

Blaze moves into Utah with location across from water park

May 26, 2016

Blaze Fast Fire'd Pizza — one of this year’s Top 100 Fast Casual Movers and Shakers  — opened its first Utah location today in Lehi. To celebrate the chain is…

Pie Five moves into Austin area

May 26, 2016

Dallas-based Pie Five opens its newest location next week in the Austin-area suburb of Pflugerville, which a news release said is across the street from the…

Pomona welcomes Pieology

May 26, 2016

Pieology Pizzeria is opening a new store in the competitive Southern California market, according to a news release. The new location is in Pomona and is…

Gigi's launches website to attract franchisors

May 26, 2016

Gourmet cupcake and bakery franchise, Gigi's Cupcakes Bakery, announced it has launched a franchise recruitment website, gigiscupcakesfranchise.com.

NRA2016: 5 hot spots for global growth (Part 1)

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

Global growth potential is off the charts for food service, especially for concepts that revolve around limited service. These five areas show the greatest…

2016 Fast Casual Top 100

FastCasual’s annual list of the industry’s most significant brands and executives.

Sunset strip gets a little dash of the Aloha State

May 23, 2016

Sunset Boulevard goes a little Hawaiian today when AhiPoki Bowl opens its third location in Hollywood, California on the renowned street. AhiPoki Bowl is a…

Wyoming home to Moe's Southwest Grill, Schlotzsky's co-branded location

May 20, 2016

FOCUS Brands will open its first Moe's Southwest Grill and Schlotzsky's co-branded restaurant next week in the Hat Six Travel Center at 6985 Nugget in…

El Pollo Loco opens 3rd Oceanside store

May 18, 2016

The fire-grilled chicken chain, El Pollo Loco,  opened ts third location in Oceanside, California, according to a news release. The  3,017-square-foot location…

Former golf pro opens Your Pie in California

May 18, 2016

There's a new fast casual pizza franchise moving into the sizzling Coachella Valley market in California under the ownership of a former golf pro and his wife.

Johnny Rockets receives export award from US president

May 17, 2016

In recognition of its franchise and sales success overseas, Johnny Rockets received the President's E Award for Exports at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The…

Grabbagreen expands footprint in Midwest

May 17, 2016

Grabbagreen, a Scottsdale-based fast casual concept, has announced a two-store development deal in Minnesota with franchise partner Rocky Osborn of Zoom…

Freshii CEO: 'Cupcakes are dead. Froyo is finished. Juice is next.'

Freshii CEO Matt Corrin sends an open letter to juice franchises offering them a chance to become Freshii franchisees.