Restaurant operators: 'Not the right time for wage boost'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 16, 2021

Leaders of Dickey's Barbecue, Firehouse Subs, Mooyah, Famous Toastery and Teriyaki Madness discuss when and if it's time to raise the federal minimum wage to…

How Caffe Nero won landlord-tenant lawsuit

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Although Caffe Nero said it failed to pay rent for six months at one of its Boston locations, a judge dismissed the landlord's motion requesting payment.

Time-tested Restaurant Technologies for a New Normal

Restaurant operators need all the help they can get while trying to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the tools they can use may already be in their…

Presented by FastCasual.com

Inspire applies for Dunkin' ghost kitchen permit in Atlanta

February 12, 2021

Hot off its recent acquisition of the 32,000-store Dunkin' Brands, Inspire Brands is moving forward on construction of a Atlanta-based virtual kitchen…

Vending machines keep Portland restaurant in business on Valentine's Day

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Spanish tapas restaurant, Pix Patisserie in Portland, Oregon, has found a way to help customers treat their loved on Valentine's Day despite COVID-1…

Jewelry vending machine to benefit NYC restaurants

February 11, 2021

Marla Aaron, a jewelry designer and East Harlem, New York resident, will take her jewelry vending machine to the streets of New York City for the first time as…

DoorDash partners with Cellex on COVID-19 testing kit effort

February 10, 2021

DoorDash and Cellex, which specializes in point-of-care testing, are teaming up to help restaurant employees get faster access to COVID-19 testing kits at a…

Chicken Salad Chick moving HQs to Atlanta

February 10, 2021

Chicken Salad Chick is moving its headquarters from Auburn, Alabama, to Atlanta, with the office space opening in the first quarter of 2021 at the Vinings at…

Aloha Poke reimagining the brick-and-mortar concept

Chris Birkinshaw, CEO, Aloha Poke Co., discusses why brands should consider an order-and-pay-first model.

Just Salad launches meal kits with zero-plastic packaging

February 9, 2021

Just Salad has launched Housemade, a meal kit and grocery service available within delivery range of locations in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Chicago…

Clean Juice launches subscription cleansing service

February 9, 2021

Clean Juice, a USDA-certified organic juice bar franchise with more than 100 stores, has created a subscription-based Cleanse Club in partnership with…

Girl Scouts partner with GrubHub to deliver contact-free cookies

February 9, 2021

It's Girl Scout cookie time again but like many events that have been changed by the coronavirus restrictions, there won't be any scouts selling door-to-door…

How Teriyaki Madness ducked and weaved past COVID-19

CEO Michael Haith explains how an adaptable spirit helped it make 2020 its most successful year ever.

Luckin Coffee files for bankruptcy protection

February 8, 2021

Luckin Coffee Inc., a pioneer in coffee vending and a competitor to Starbucks in China, has filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection in New York, less than a…

RESTAURANTS Act back on the table

February 5, 2021

A $120 billion revitalization fund, known as the RESTAURANTS Act of 2021, to help independent restaurants and small franchisees facing COVID-19 challenges is…

Q2 sales drop at Pie Five, Pizza Inn

February 5, 2021

Pizza Inn and Pie Five parent company, Rave Restaurant Group Inc., reported Friday that the pandemic severely hurt the brands' Q2 sales, which ended Dec. 27.

Blaze names CTO

February 5, 2021

Blaze Pizza has hired Chris Demery, former P.F. Chang's senior vice president, as its chief technology officer. Demery, who brings 20 years of industry…

4 ways to prepare for predicted springtime traffic increases

by Corey Chao

There's no denying that 2020 was the year that restaurants had to continuously adapt and evolve due to the pandemic, from dine-in shutdowns and delivery and…

Le Madeleine debuting drive-thru prototype

February 5, 2021

La Madeleine French Bakery & Cafe is debuting a drive-thru prototype when it opens Monday in Addison, Texas.

Goodcents CEO reveals 2021 mandate: 'Make it safer, make it easier'

The 70-unit company based in Kansas City has rolled out the Certified Clean Program, which requires an upfront investment of $1,500-$2,000 per location.