Customers to get free taste of new dish at Panda Express

April 11, 2013

Panda Express introduced its newest premium entrée, Samurai Surf & Turf on April 3 but is giving customers a free sample on April 17, according to a…

Back Yard Burger going bigger with burgers

April 10, 2013

Nashville-based better burger chain Back Yard Burgers is going bigger this year with a thicker and juicer one-third pound, char-grilled Black Angus patty.

Noodles & Co adds asparagus, gluten-free noodle to menu

April 10, 2013

The first signs of spring are budding at Noodles & Company, where three new seasonal items are now on the menu.

Boston Market touting new BBQ ribs as tax relief

April 10, 2013

From organizing W-2s and 1099s, to discussing deductions and year-end writeoffs, even the savviest of taxpayers can find tax season to be a bit stressful. But…

Starbucks' 'Pick of the Week' going mobile

April 9, 2013

Starbucks customers have grown accustomed to getting free iTunes songs each week via printed "Pick of the Week" iTunes cards, but they can now get their free…

Togo's launches 'quirky' ad campaign

April 9, 2013

Togo's is debuting a new multimedia advertising campaign, which includes a series of TV, radio and outdoor ads in Togo's existing growth markets along the West…

Banana Pudding Milkshake sweetens Zaxby's menu

April 9, 2013

Zaxby's has created a new Banana Pudding Milkshake and has enlisted entertainers Wayne Brady and Leigh-Allyn Baker to help advertise it. They'll appear in four…

Meatheads hires first director of operations

April 9, 2013

Meatheads has hired Jason Harbison as director of operations, according to a company press release. Harbison has more than 25 years experience in operations in…

How Zaxby's plans on becoming a 'household name'

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The Southeast-based chicken chain is headed west.

U-Swirl co-brands with Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

April 5, 2013

U-Swirl Inc., parent company of U-SWIRL Frozen Yogurt cafes, announced that the first U-Swirl and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory co-branded location is open…

SinglePlatform adds Yelp as menu publisher

April 5, 2013

SinglePlatform, a division of Constant Contact Inc., has added Yelp as a menu publisher in SinglePlatform's publishing partner network. Additionally, in the…

Newk's Eatery welcomes new marketing VP

April 5, 2013

Newk's Eatery has named Alan Wright as vice president of marketing, according to a company press release. Wright has 30 years of franchising, marketing and…

Schlotzsky's takes the bite out of Tax Day with freebies

April 5, 2013

Schlotzsky's is celebrating the end of tax season on April 15 by giving customers a free small "The Original" sandwich with the purchase of a 32-ounce drink…

Jamaican Jerk Bowl debuts at Tropical Smoothie Café

April 5, 2013

Tropical Smoothie Café is adding a Jamaican Jerk Bowl to its menu for a limited time only. The new bowl, which is derived from the top-selling Jamaican Jerk…

Barberitos 'Bringing Salsa Back'

April 5, 2013

In honor of spring, Barberitos is bringing back its warm-weather menu item: Mango salsa. The sweet salsa made its debut last year and is commonly paired with…

THE MELT giving away 10,000 free Melts

April 4, 2013

THE MELT, a San Francisco-based fast casual eatery, is celebrating National Grilled Cheese Day by giving away 10,000 free melts before April 12. Additionally…

Shane's Rib Shack to honor National Barbecue Month with freebies

April 4, 2013

For the fourth year, Shane's Rib Shack will celebrate May, the official month of barbecue, by giving away a free half rack of slow-smoked baby back ribs, a…

'Global domination' driving CEO of Dickey's Barbecue

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Roland Dickey Jr. has taken the barbecue chain from 20 to more than 300 units since taking over in 2004.

MOOYAH fans to create new burger

March 28, 2013

MOOYAH is calling on its guests and social media fans to create the brand's next featured burger. Through April 17, fans may visit the Facebook page and create…

Why restaurants must unite IT, Marketing departments to win customers

Close-knit teaming at all levels is paramount for digital excellence and a healthy return on those technology investments.