Qdoba, California Tortilla upping their app games

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

California Tortilla and Qdoba have launched mobile app upgrades.

Fast casual in it to win it on Super Bowl Sunday

Restaurant brands are gearing up for the big game with specials and LTOs.

Starbucks goes all in on AI-enabled espresso machines

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Starbucks is rolling out 4,000 AI-enabled espresso machines.

Why Florida fast casual brand doubled down on mobile marketing

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

By implementing a mobile proximity marketing strategy, EVOS Restaurants in Florida saw a 9% lift in sales and increased website visits by over 110%.

A bitter pill: Jack in the Box, Chicken Salad Chick's, Mutt's Canine Cantina leaders discuss responding to reviews

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

You might well say that restaurant success today is actually "written in the stars," since those stars are the measurement of the positive and negative reviews…

Best practices for integrating carryout

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

By envisioning the carryout business as a component of an emerging, integrated digital ecosystem, restaurant decision makers can allocate resources in a way…

Dog Haus, Ike's, Zoup leaders say being trendy is definitely not 'where it's at'

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

The name of the game now in limited-service menu innovation has less to do with following the waves of trends that regularly sweep through food service and…

2019 Perfect Pitch winner: 'Best fried chicken in the land of fried chicken'

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

Louisville, Kentucky brand, Royals Hot Chicken is not only a hot commodity in its fried chicken-steeped home base, but also managed to burn up the competition…

Marketing on a shoestring? Yes, it can be done

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Automatic Merchandiser

Social media gives operators with limited budgets a way to gain exposure to customers. Supporting charities and non-profits also helps, as a panel talk at the…

What to do when franchisees go rogue

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

As franchise organizations expand, they oftentimes find it makes sense to allow franchisees some freedom in how they market the brand. But knowing how much…

'How Chipotle Turned Free Burritos into Lasting Customer Relationships' focus of Oct 24 free webinar

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

Basketball and burritos are a pretty unbeatable mix. But when that duo is also paired with digital engagement as Chipotle did last spring, it is even more…

Is the honeymoon over for the fast casual segment?

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The steady growth of recent years is tapering off, as growth for the top 500 U.S. restaurant companies for the most recent year slipped to 3.3% compared to the…

The do's and don'ts of a franchise store remodel

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

When introducing a remodel, franchise organizations need to have a plan that includes soliciting input from franchisees as well as keeping employees informed…

3 eating trends elevating spring menus

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

In-season produce, healthful eating and a case of the munchies are driving the season's menu additions.

Former Food Network Exec: 'Customers want to know what you stand for'

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Susie Fogelson, the former senior vice president of marketing and brand strategy at Food Network and Cooking Channel, has made a career of helping food brands…

&pizza's 'Hallway Pizza Guy' shows the power of responsive marketing

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

Today's pizza marketing environment leaves little time for deliberation and this week, &pizza's quick, creative response to the so-called Hallway Pizza Guy…

Valentine's Day inspires sweet LTOs

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Valentine's Day is a favorite holiday when it comes to launching limited-time menu offers and discounts. Check out how some fast casuals are showing their…

How the fast casual franchise can thwart marketing burnout

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

Planning and franchisee involvement are key in averting marketing burnout within the franchise organization.

'Tis the season for increased restaurants sales — if you can control food, labor costs

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Although it may sound a bit Scrooge-like, 'tis the season for increased restaurants sales, but mismanaging increased food and labor costs can leave companies…

How Mooyah, Which Wich use freebies to drive traffic, attract customers, grow sales

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Offering limited-time freebies will nearly always increase traffic in the short term, but restaurant brands failing to transform those extra bodies into higher…