2021 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers

Since its creation 16 years ago, the Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers list has recognized the industry’s most successful brands. We are honored to feature…

Presented by FastCasual.com

Auntie Anne's co-brands with Jamba for pretzel QSR's 1st drive-thru

May 18, 2021

Auntie Anne's will soon be putting pretzels in drivers' hands thanks to the opening of a combined store with sister brand, Jamba, in Wylie, Texas, a Dallas…

Gimbal Launches Frictionless Pickup for Brands Without a Mobile App

On-the-Way web app reduces implementation of pickup solutions to minutes

Mobivity Drives 26% Lift in Guest Frequency for BBQ Holdings’ Famous Dave’s Brand and Announces Expansion to All Granite City Food & Brewery Locations

Mobivity Holdings Corp. announces a two-year partnership with BBQ Holdings (NASDAQ: BBQ) across all Famous Dave’s and Granite City Food & Brewery locations to…

Bartaco creates branded merch

May 6, 2021

Conneticut-based Bartaco opened its 21st location this week in the LoHi neighborhood of Denver and also launched a line of merchandise, according to a company…

Tennis star Naomi Osaka becomes Sweetgreen's youngest investor

May 6, 2021

Naomi Osaka, a three-time Grand Slam singles champion, has invested in Sweetgreen to become the brand's first national athlete ambassador and youngest investor…

Rebounding on steroids: Lessons learned from former Yum! CEO

While restaurateurs have had their share of setbacks over the last year or more, how brands fare going forward depends very much on how each company executes…

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Chipotle celebrating Cinco de Mayo with trivia, giveaways

May 3, 2021

Chipotle Mexican Grill is rewarding super fans with buy-one-bet-one-free offers today through Cinco de Mayo, May 5, when they play Chipotle IQ, a trivia game…

Most gluten-free diners find eating out a challenge

May 3, 2021

A majority, 85%, of gluten-free diners find eating out "extremely challenging" or "very challenging," according to a survey conducted to commemorate Celiac…

Wow Bao teams with Ghost Kitchen Brands on 100 locations

April 30, 2021

Wow Bao will bring its menu to 100 new locations, across the U.S. and Canada, starting next week thanks to a partnership with Ghost Kitchen Brands.

Freebirds offering freebies to nurses, teachers

April 30, 2021

Texas-based Freebirds World Burrito is donating over 1,000 meals to schools and medical centers in Texas in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week and National…

Schlotzsky's, Terry Bradshaw promoting jaw-releasing exercises

April 30, 2021

The last 12 months have made everyone clench — literally. With COVID-19 increasing jaw pain by 12%1, people's mouths are tight and molars are ground to stubs.

Wing Zone joins the Chicken Sandwich Wars

April 28, 2021

A new contender just joined the so-called Chicken Sandwich Wars: Wing Zone's Colossal Chicken Sandwich is entering the fray and doesn't care if it ruffles a…

Five Tips for Getting a Restaurant Up, Running and Positioned for Success

The process of getting a restaurant up, running and positioned for success – particularly nowadays – can be a daunting task. Here are five tips for achieving a…

Fast casuals embrace 'Earth Day' with traffic-increasing deals

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Whether it's creating menu items with lower-carbon footprints or making donations to save marine wildlife, a variety of restaurant execs are doing what they…

Sajj Mediterranean teams with Local Kitchens to grow customer base

April 21, 2021

Sajj Mediterranean is partnering with Local Kitchens, a digital food hall, to launch a "Sajj Kitchen" concept in Cupertino, California.

3 fast casuals conquering 'the munchies' on 4-20

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

To celebrate the holiday known as 4-20 in cannabis culture, several fast casual brands are offering special menu items and marketing campaigns.

2 CEOs throw down in wing-eating contest

Charles Watson, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, challenged Wingstop CEO Charlie Morrison to an atomic wing eating contest, where the losing CEO agreed to make a…

Bonchon supporting 'Stop Asian Violence' campaign with T-shirts

April 16, 2021

South Korea-based Bonchon has created a "Stop Asian Violence" fundraising campaign in response to the increasing number of attacks against the Asian-American…

Walmart embracing fast casuals, local services as store-based tenants

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

With the departure of McDonald's and Subway operators from within its storefronts, Walmart aims to fill in-store leased space with "relevant" tenants, ranging…