Flying Pan takes off in US

April 30, 2013

Tampa, Fla., is home to the Flying Pan's new U.S. flagship store, according to a company press release. Franchisor BFC Retail Group plans to develop a cluster…

Barberitos adds 5 units

April 30, 2013

Barberitos Franchising Inc. has signed five more locations in the Southeast, bringing the total number of franchised Barberitos locations to 48.

McAlister's Deli turns in 11th straight quarter of sales growth

April 29, 2013

McAlister's Deli announced a same-store sales increase of 5 percent during the first quarter of 2013, marking the brand's 11th straight quarter of positive…

Smashburger plants flag in Panama

April 29, 2013

Smashburger and QSR International LDC, a multibrand developer, today announced a new partnership agreement with Diqueos Tagaropulos and his company…

Smashburger veterans launching fast casual pizza concept

April 29, 2013

Denver-based Consumer Capital Partners, founded by Rick Schaden and his father Richard Schaden, is planning to open a new fast casual pizza concept next month…

Fresh To Order opens first nontraditional location

April 26, 2013

Fresh To Order (f2o) has announced its two new high-traffic Atlanta units — one in Concourse B of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and…

Tropical Smoothie Café accelerates expansion plan

April 26, 2013

After opening 40 franchise locations and signing 41 new franchise agreements in 2012, Tropical Smoothie Café is accelerating expansion in 2013 with plans to…

Tin Drum Asiacafe signs largest franchise deal to date

April 25, 2013

Tin Drum Asiacafe has signed a seven-unit development agreement in Nashville, Tenn., with Canusa Enterprises, a regional restaurant group. This marks Tin…

Smashburger adds more airport locations

April 25, 2013

Smashburger is adding three new franchise partnerships for airport locations in Dallas, Philadelphia and San Jose, Costa Rica, accelerating the company's…

CaliBurger headed to Hong Kong

April 25, 2013

CaliBurger has signed a franchise agreement with a group of financial investors to open the first CaliBurger restaurant in Hong Kong.

Focus on delivery, social media contributes to Naked Pizza Middle East success

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

The brand's Middle East and India developer chats about the chain's international success.

Burger 21 plans westward expansion

April 24, 2013

Burger 21 announced its plans to expand westward with Dallas targeted for future franchise development. The Tampa, Fla.-based concept plans to develop…

How to succeed in franchising by 'really' trying

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

The franchisee/franchisor relationship must be as serious as a marriage.

Salsarita's working its way through Carolinas, Kentucky

April 23, 2013

Salsarita's has acquired five franchisee-owned locations in the Charlotte, N.C., area as part of its long-term plan to corporately own 10 to 15 percent of its…

Good news: Restaurant sales, unit growth, financing up

Total unit growth for the Top 100 restaurant chains was 1.8 percent in 2012, the highest since 2007.

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza heading to New Jersey

April 23, 2013

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza announced that Green Brook, N.J.-based AMPAL Group has signed an agreement to develop 10 franchise stores in Central and Northern New…

McDonald's Middle East teaches restaurant franchisees how to succeed internationally

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

In order to succeed internationally, American brands must learn to control their supply chain, choose the correct real estate and develop strong franchisees.

Smoothie King targets St. Louis for franchise growth

April 22, 2013

Smoothie King Franchises Inc. announced it is targeting St. Louis for franchise expansion. To fuel development, Smoothie King is offering candidates 40 percent…

Smashburger headed north with new franchise director

April 22, 2013

Smashburger is ready to expand further into Canada under the leadership of a new director of franchise sales, Audra Wosik.

Fatburger to open in Lebanon

April 22, 2013

Fatburger has announced its newest location in Beirut, Lebanon. The owner of the newest location, Vetra Investments, LLC, is a hospitality and food service…