Operations News & Media

Wonder raises $700M to fuel growth

March 19, 2024

Wonder CEO and founder Marc Lore announced Tuesday the 11-unit digital food hall has raised $700 million from all major existing shareholders, including NEA…

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Dynamic pricing: Teaching restaurant customers to embrace it

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Fast casual executives discuss the future of dynamic pricing and how to gain customer buy-in.

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Shake Smart lands investment from NewSpring

March 14, 2024

Shake Smart, which serves protein shakes, protein smoothies, acai bowls, wraps, nut butter and avocado toast, has landed an investment from NewSpring, a family…

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Loop raises $6M to help restaurants manage 3rd-party delivery

March 14, 2024

Loop, a SaaS provider enabling restaurants to maximize third-party delivery service profitability, has closed $6 million in seed funding, led by Base1…

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Chef-driven menu makes Willow Street Pizza stand out

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Pizzeria menus can range from small and tidy to large and complex, but they've all got one thing behind them: research and development.

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New York Fries rolling out US expansion plan

March 13, 2024

Although New York Fries was founded in New York City, its over 130 locations are mostly in Canada and the Middle East. However, it's primed for a resurgence in…

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The Great Greek nearly doubles footprint

March 11, 2024

Florida-based The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill nearly doubled its footprint in 2023, opening 21 restaurants and entering six states: Arizona, California…

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Uncle Sharkii opening in Hollywood

March 11, 2024

Uncle Sharkii Poke Bar, founded in 2018, opens March 16 at Universal CityWalk in Hollywood, California.

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International Women's Day: 12 fast casual leaders reveal tech, leadership strategies

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Twelve of the industry's female leaders discuss everything from AI and robotics to kiosks, mobile payments, menu trends and flexible shop formats. Hear from…

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Anousone opening in Kansas City's Strang Chef Collective

March 6, 2024

Chef Anourom Thomson is expanding his Kansas City culinary footprint next week when he opens a location of Anousone at the Strang Chef Collective at Lightwell…

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Blaze Pizza to offer pizzas for $3.14 on Pi Day

March 5, 2024

Blaze Pizza will offer pizzas for $3.14 in celebration of Pi Day on March 14, according to a press release.

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McAlister's surpasses $1B in sales

March 4, 2024

After unlocking untapped revenue streams such as digital ordering, pickup windows, tableside service, to-go, and catering innovation, McAlister's Deli has…

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Atomic Wings doubling footprint

March 1, 2024

Atomic Wings, a 25-unit franchise, is doubling down on growth plans. Last year, it opened five restaurants, awarded 45 area representative contracts and is on…

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Panera cutting menu prices, increasing portions

March 1, 2024

Panera Bread is transforming its menu, adding or enhancing 20 soups, salads, sandwiches and mac 'n' Cheese. The changes, which include larger portions and…

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MOD Pizza opens first military base location in Virginia

February 28, 2024

MOD Pizza has opened its first location on a military base at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia. It's under the helm of franchisee One Enterprise…

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Chipotle adding $50M to Cultivate Next

February 28, 2024

Chipotle Mexican Grill is increasing its commitment to its Cultivate Next venture fund by $50 million, which brings the investment pool to $10…

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Goodcents celebrating 35th birthday by 'adapting to change'

by Rebecca Murray — VP of Marketing, Goodcents

Goodcents has survived by embracing the latest in industry technology while staying deeply connected to its roots.

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Former Sweetgreen CMO building a fast casual 'Wonder'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Daniel Shlossman reveals the strategy behind Wonder, a digital-forward food hall concept created by former Walmart eCommerce CEO and Jet.com founder Marc Lore.

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Luckin Coffee surpasses Starbucks in China, posts strong Q4, FY 2023 results

February 23, 2024

Luckin Coffee Inc., a China-based coffee vending pioneer in addition to a nationwide retail coffee house chain, posted significant revenue growth in 2023…

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Captain D’s taps Nan Ward as COO

February 23, 2024

Nan Ward has been promoted to chief operating officer at Captain D's.

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