Dog Haus entering Oakland with ghost kitchen

April 28, 2021

In East Bay, California, the "dog days" of summer are coming Monday when Dog Haus makes its Oakland debut at the local CloudKitchens facility, at 2353 E. 12th…

How QSR and Fast Casual Restaurants Can Prep for the Off-Premise Evolution

There are many opportunistic windows that opened during the pandemic that restaurants are not dismissing as a phase. One of those windows was off-premise…

Wingstop flying high after beating Q1 expectations

April 28, 2021

Led by a 64% increase in digital orders, Dallas-based Wingstop Inc. reported Wednesday that Q1 system-wide sales were up 30% and that total revenue increased…

Starbucks CEO: 'US sales have fully recovered'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson not only outlined the five consumer behaviors driving the chain's strategy but also revealed how artificial intelligence and store…

Outdoor Signage Rises in Importance in the New Restaurant Industry

The way restaurants serve their guests has changed dramatically in the wake of COVID-19. Digital displays offer the opportunity to make those changes more…

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…

Waba Grill posts best quarter in 15-year history

April 27, 2021

WaBa Grill, a healthy rice bowl chains, has posted its top-performing sales quarter in the brand's 15-year history, with same-store sales up 21.3% over Q1 2020.

Q1 SSS up 26% at Juice It Up

April 27, 2021

California-based Juice It Up posted a 25.8% increase in same-store sales year-over-year for the first quarter of 2021. The news comes on heels of the brand…

Restaurant Revitalization Fund application process opening Monday

April 27, 2021

The Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which provides $28.6 billion in relief funds to restaurants and other hard-hit food establishments that have experienced…

Cava using $190 M cash influx to expand locations, CPG line

April 27, 2021

Cava, the Mediterranean fast casual brand that acquired Zoes Kitchen in 2018, has landed $190 million in funding from T. Rowe Price Group with participation…

Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut parent to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030

April 26, 2021

Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut and The Habit Burger Grille parent, Yum Brands, will decrease its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 46% by 2030 in partnership with its…

Chipotle squashes Q1 predictions

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

April 21, 2021

It's good to be in the burrito game these days as long as your digital playbook is just as strong. It's a strategy Chipotle seems to have under control…

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.

Noodles & Company aims for big growth, franchise expansion in 2022

April 19, 2021

Noodles & Company is aiming for a minimum 7% system-wide unit growth goal in 2022 and banking on franchise development to make it happen.

What's right and wrong with curbside at Panera, The Habit Burger?

by Jessie Chen — Marketing, Radar

Radar and FastCasual, which assessed nine restaurant chains' curbside experiences, reveal how Panera Bread and The Habit Burger fared.

Chipotle, Jersey Mike's execs reveal pandemic-era strategies

April 16, 2021

The pandemic has no doubt taken its toll on restaurants, but while thousands are struggling, others are reporting gains, including Chipotle Mexican Grill and…

Virginia chef offers food via refrigerated vending machines

April 16, 2021

A Richmond, Virginia chef is placing refrigerated glassfront vending machines to offer his food at retail locations, according to a wric.com report.

Customers can thank 'Sunday' for 10-second payments

April 16, 2021

Customers in the U.S. and Europe can say goodbye to waiting for their dinner bills, thanks to an Atlanta-based tech company, Sunday. It developed a 10-second…

QSRs recovering faster than all segments

April 15, 2021

To get the COVID-19 global pandemic under control in March 2020, the U.S. government restricted on-premises dining at roughly 70% of all U.S. restaurants. By…

Luckin Coffee secures $250M from private investors

April 15, 2021

Luckin Coffee Inc., which filed for bankruptcy protection in February, has entered into an investment agreement with a Centurium Capital affiliate and Joy…