Pepsi generating $100M in sales for Black-owned restaurants

January 4, 2021

In hopes of raising at least $100 million in sales for Black-owned restaurants over the next five years, PepsiCo has launched Dig In, a multi-year platform…

Why NYC's Sweet Chick rebranded to fast casual concept

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Sweet Chick, a full-service brand created seven years ago in Brooklyn by New York native, restaurateur and entrepreneur John Seymour, has a new name and has…

Investing in change keeps Taziki's in business

December 30, 2020

After an exceedingly difficult year for restaurants across the country, Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe is poised for growth thanks to investments in tech…

Slim Chickens inks deals for 150 locations in 2020

December 30, 2020

Slim Chickens, which now has 116 locations, spent 2020 inking multi-unit franchise agreements to eventually add 150 units to its portfolio.

Robotic coffee service machine replaces baristas

December 30, 2020

Patrons at Crown Coffee, a coffee bar in downtown Singapore, can now place orders and be served by an autonomous robot barista named Ella, according to a press…

How innovation drives this fast-growing salad concept

Jerry Eicke, director of Franchise Development for The Salad House, discusses how important influencer culture, technology and overall innovation have been to…

How restaurant chains can thrive, not just survive, with the right technology foundation

Seizing the opportunities and surmounting the challenges restaurants face will require nimble and cost-effective processes enabled by secure and resilient data…

Six technology trends to help restaurants rebound in 2021

As this era of unpredictability ensues, the ways in which restaurants work to overcome the pandemic continues to evolve, too. Here are six technology trends…

Chipotle not requiring employee COVID-19 vaccinations

December 28, 2020

Although Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol was strongly encouraging employees to be get COVID-19 vaccinations, it won't be a requirement.

FastCasual now accepting nominations for Excellence in Food Safety award

December 23, 2020

As part of the 2021 FastCasual Top 100 Movers & Shakers list, FastCasual and Steritech, a provider of food safety assessments, will honor one brand with…

Rubio's exiting from bankruptcy

December 23, 2020

Rubio's Coastal Grill will exit from Chapter 11 by year's with its debt reduced by more than $35 million, now that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District…

5 ways the vaccine may change restaurant operations

Brody Sweeney, the founder of Camile Thai Kitchen in the UK, predicts how the vaccine will change operations in 2021.

Ziggi's franchise fulfills Colorado native's longtime dream

December 22, 2020

Taffy Nichols, of Erie, Colorado is fulfilling her longtime dream to run her own franchise.

Saladworks acquires Garbanzo

December 22, 2020

WOWorks, parent company of Saladworks, has acquired Centennial, Colorado-based Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh as well as Frutta Bowls, a fast casual concept…

Middleby acquires China-based United Foodservice Equipment Group

December 22, 2020

The Middleby Corp. has acquired Zhuhai Guangdong China based United Foodservice Equipment Group, a design, manufacture and supply of counter top commercial…

Consumers splurging on catered meals this holiday season

December 21, 2020

The 2020 holiday season may not offer the same gatherings, parties and hoopla of years' past, but diners are making sure it is still filled with amazing food…

Mooyah back on top after drastic sales loss

Mooyah President Tony Darden talks about how the chain is thriving depsite losing 40% of sales at the start of COVID-19.

Toast donating $35M to restaurant recovery

December 17, 2020

Toast POS, a restaurant management platform, is donating $35 million worth of free services and funding as part of a winter restaurant relief plan to support…

Why fresh-food vending is gaining fast casual market share

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Technology and changing consumer needs are creating an opportunity for fresh-food vending machines, which may prove to be a fierce competitor for fast casuals.

Luckin Coffee paying $180M to settle fraud allegations

December 16, 2020

China-based Luckin Coffee, which was once a major Starbucks competitor and a pioneer in self-service coffee, must pay a $180 million penalty after the U.S.