State of the Industry: Fast Casual 2026 and Beyond

Explore growth forecasts, operator profitability and pricing pressures, leading brands, menu and LTO trends, and consumer demand for value and innovation—all…

Presented by Datassential, Inc.

OHG Brands opens co-branded Fatburger/Buffalo's Express location in Texas

October 19, 2026

OHG Brands (formerly FAT Brands) opened a co-branded Fatburger and Buffalo's Express restaurant Oct. 12 at 3777 El Indio Highway in Eagle Pass, Texas. The De…

Chipotle turns CJ Carr partnership into a campus loyalty contest

October 19, 2026

Chipotle Mexican Grill is giving Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr a new role: brand ambassador. The name, image and likeness (NIL) partnership between football…

&pizza goes all in on toppings with new MAXX pizzas

October 8, 2026

&pizza is introducing two limited-time pizzas designed to deliver more sauce, cheese and toppings in every bite. Beginning Oct. 16, the Meat MAXX and…

Why Dillas Quesadillas simplified its menu to prepare for growth

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

Dillas Quesadillas is simplifying its menu to improve speed, accuracy and the customer experience as it prepares for future growth. In this episode of the…

Breadless launches franchise expansion with first multi-unit agreement

September 22, 2026

Detroit-based Breadless signed a multi-unit development agreement with Third Coast Harvest LLC, officially launching the brand's franchise expansion strategy.

How Sankranti built its own fast-casual Indian food playbook

Srinivasa “Nimms” Nimmagadda and his team spent years developing a fast-casual Indian food concept playbook through Sankranti Indian Kitchen. Now the company…

Wingstop kicks off football season with Lemon Pepper Trio

September 11, 2026

Wingstop is kicking off the 2026-27 football season with its limited-time Lemon Pepper Trio, featuring its original Lemon Pepper flavor alongside two new…

Wings Etc. wants to make Ranch more than a side: Enter the 'Ranch Flight'

September 10, 2026

Wings Etc. will launch a limited-time Ranch Flight Sept. 15, allowing customers to choose three of five ranch-based sauces. The lineup includes House Ranch…

Pita Pit's Crispy Donair raises a question: Isn't this just a sandwich?

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

A sandwich by any other name would taste as sweet?

Why Chain’s ‘pop cuisine’ concept is testing food hall format

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

The American pop-cuisine food brand is launching its newest dining format to determine the viability of different, experiential locations.

Zaxbys partners with Nerds to bring back strawberry milkshake

September 3, 2026

Zaxbys has joined forces with candy brand Nerds to bring back its Nerds Strawberry Milkshake, according to a company press release. The beverage is available…

Fast-casual brand collabs: Making partnership pay off

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Kelly Gray (Hot Head Burritos) Stacey Kane (chief marketing officer) Lori Primavera (Smoothie King) and Traci Graziani (Kraft Heinz) will present their…

Blaze Pizza launches 1st kids meal menu

August 28, 2026

Blaze Pizza has launched its first-ever kids menu to accommodate families during the back-to-school season, according to a press release.

Smoothie King posts 9% July same-store sales growth, expands franchise pipeline

August 13, 2026

Smoothie King is seeing strong momentum from menu expansion and franchisee investment, reporting 9% same-store sales growth in July and its highest number of…

Healthy fast casual goes convenient: Konala, Clean Eatz redefining drive-thru, grab-and-go

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Two brands, two models — one goal: making nutritious food as fast and effortless as fast food.

Ziggi’s, Philadelphia Cream Cheese make beverage debuts with savory latte

August 11, 2026

Ziggi's Coffee and Philadelphia Cream Cheese have teamed up on an Everything Bagel Latte, giving both brands a beverage first, while using the limited-time…

How Tony Roma's is using fast-casual strategies to reinvent itself

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

CEO Mina Haque explains how the 54-year-old brand is adapting to changing consumer habits without abandoning its casual-dining roots.

5 menu localization myths that could hurt your restaurant brand

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

August 4, 2026

Michael Magerl, Joel Bulger, John Iannucci and Sarah Rooney are the panelists for "From Trend to Table: Operationalizing Regional Promotions in a Multi-Unit…

Cousins Subs beefs up Kid's Meal with more entree, side options

July 31, 2026

Cousins Subs has rolled out a reimagined Kid's Meal at all of its locations, providing families with more meal choices.