Freshii now serving travelers at Canadian airport

January 21, 2013

Freshii is celebrating its newest Canadian and first airport location with its recent opening in Toronto Pearson International Airport's Terminal 3.

Fast casual pizza concept Project Pie set to expand in seven markets

January 21, 2013

Project Pie founder and CEO James Markham has announced plans to expand his fast casual pizza concept into multiple new markets within the next year, starting…

Johnny Rockets invading South Korea

January 18, 2013

Shinsegae Food Co. LTD finished 2012 strongly, opening its seventh Johnny Rockets restaurant in 22 months and naming Sung-Hwan Kim as its CEO. Shinsegae Food…

Wingstop reports 9th consecutive year of same-store sales jump

January 17, 2013

In 2012, Wingstop opened 57 new restaurants and achieved a record ninth consecutive year of same-store sales increases. The 550-unit concept's same-store sales…

Jamba Juice lays out growth, product plans for 2013

January 17, 2013

Jamba Juice Company has released its "BLEND" Plan 3.0, outlining strategic priorities and initiatives for 2013 that will position the company for growth and…

Fiscal Cliff debate stifles franchise growth in December

January 16, 2013

The Franchise Business fell in December for a second straight month as the possibility of tax hikes associated with the fiscal cliff weighed on franchise…

McAlister's Deli franchisee becomes fully employee-owned

January 16, 2013

The Saxton Group has sold its stock to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, becoming one of the largest 100-percent employee-owned companies in the restaurant…

Asian Box expands footprint in California

January 16, 2013

Asian Box is now open in Mountain View, Calif. The concept's second location, at 142 Castro St., debuted in late December 2012 with a limited menu and hours.

Red Mango reports record year for 2012

January 16, 2013

Red Mango has reported a record year for franchise development in 2012 with expansion of the chain to more than 210 open stores.

East Coast Wings & Grill signs multiunit deal for Philadelphia

January 16, 2013

East Coast Wings & Grill, a North Carolina-based concept, plans to expand into Philadelphia with several new locations throughout the next five years.

American Roadside Burgers debuts in Columbia, S.C.

January 15, 2013

American Roadside Burgers has opened its first Columbia, S.C., location.

U-Swirl acquires Aspen Leaf and Yogurtini fro-yo chains

January 14, 2013

U-Swirl Inc., parent to U-SWIRL International Inc., the owner and franchisor of U-SWIRL Frozen Yogurt cafés, has acquired specific assets of Aspen Leaf Yogurt…

Brazilian concept leaving mark on U.S.

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

A Giraffas executive describes the chain's strategy for taking on America.

Fast casual pizza concept signs 5-unit deal

January 11, 2013

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza, a build-your-own, fast casual pizza concept created by the founders of Wetzel's Pretzels, Elise and Rick Wetzel, has signed an…

Burger 21 hitting growth spurt

January 11, 2013

Burger 21, a new fast casual concept founded by the owners of The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc., recently announced that in 2012, it signed franchise…

Latest openings of Bennigan's feature new design

January 11, 2013

Bennigan's Franchising Company opened two new units in December featuring the brands' recent remodel additions, including a bar and an outside patio.

City Wok taking off in Denver airport

January 10, 2013

City Wok, a made-to-oder Chinese concept, has chosen Denver International Airport as the location for its second airport unit. It opens March 1 next to…

Why 'health casual' is gaining traction overseas

The demand for a tasty, health-conscious concept is very high in the Middle East.

Boardwalk Fresh Burgers and Fries opens first N.J. franchise

January 8, 2013

Master Development agent Mukesh Banker and franchisee Dhruman Shah have brought Boardwalks and Fresh Burger Fries to New Jersey. The new location marks the…

Barberitos hopes to sign 50th unit by year's end

January 8, 2013

Barberitos Franchising Inc. opened its newest location in Yulee, Fla., ending 2012 with 43 stores signed. Currently, there are 30 stores open for business. A…