BurgerFi's IPO is a done deal

December 16, 2020

Opes Acquisition Corp.'s stockholders voted this week to approve the $100 million purchase of BurgerFi International, which was first announced in June.

Old Chicago's parent company opening 175 virtual locations

December 16, 2020

Nashville, Tennessee-based SPB Hospitality has launched its first virtual concept, Twisted Tenders, across 175 locations in 33 states, and a news release said…

Meet the inaugural class of WILD-certified brands

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

FastCasual is honoring fast casual brands dedicated to ensuring that women have a seat at the leadership table.

By Chloe blames pandemic for bankruptcy filing

December 15, 2020

By Chloe, a plant-based chain with 14 locations in the U.S., has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in hopes of staying afloat amid COVID-19, according…

Otto’s Tacos pivots to off-premise only model

December 14, 2020

As the pandemic continues, Otto's Tacos, based in New York, has pivoted into off-premise, digital-only sales — vacating its four brick-and-mortar locations…

7 necessities for nailing a socially distanced tailgate

Editor's note: Chef Chatter is a series featuring chef-authored blogs. If you'd like to write a Chef Chatter, send your idea to Cherryh Cansler at…

FAT Brands merging with controlling stakeholder

December 11, 2020

FAT Brands Inc., the parent company of Fatburger, Johnny Rockets and several other brands, is merging with Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc., FAT's controlling…

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Fast Casual Top 100 nominations now open

December 11, 2020

Nominations will close Jan. 31, and the results will be revealed at an annual awards gala in May in Chicago coinciding with the National Restaurant Association…

Is Your Restaurant Technology Ready for 2021?

Join Netsurion’s Mark Cline, senior vice present, and guest panelists, for a casual conversation about what lessons from 2020 every restaurant brand must learn…

Tropical Smoothie's same-store sales up 26%

December 10, 2020

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is continuing to post record-setting results this year with same-store sales up 26.3% in November. The chain has also signed 23…

Your Pie, InMoment partner to elevate customer experience

December 10, 2020

Your Pie said it has partnered with customer experience improvement company, InMoment, to put that key operating component "at the forefront" of the pizza…

Mici launches uncooked lasagana to go

December 8, 2020

Mici Handcrafted Italian, a five-unit fast casual based in Colorado, is offering customers the chance to serve its third-generation-recipe lasagna at home.

Curry Up Now serving low-proof cocktails

December 8, 2020

Curry Up Now is introducing six low-proof cocktails to its menu at all San Francisco Bay Area locations as part of its Mortar & Pestle bar brand, a craft…

NRA to Congress: 'Restaurants in economic free fall'

December 7, 2020

In a letter to congressional leadership, the National Restaurant Association said Monday that the restaurant industry is in an "economic free fall" and…

Einstein Bros launches retail line

December 7, 2020

In response to consumer demand for Einstein Bros. Bagels in their local grocery stores, the chain has launched Take & Toast Bagels, bringing sleeves of…

11 ways the pandemic has permanently marked the industry

Nick Vojnovic, president of Little Greek Fresh Grill, shares 11 long-term ways the pandemic has changed the industry.

HungerRush acquires OrdrAI’s AI-driven text message ordering solution

December 4, 2020

HungerRush has acquired OrdrAI, a text and voice ordering provider for the restaurant industry, giving HungerRush Restaurant Management System the ability to…

Squisito Pizza and Pasta names managing partner

December 3, 2020

Squisito's parent company, Monte Restaurant Development Group, has named restaurant developer, Todd Kosakowski. as managing partner and franchisee. In his…

How the Biden administration may change the restaurant industry

Aaron Noveshen, CEO of Starbird and the Culinary Edge, weighs in on how the industry will fare under President-elect Joe Biden.

Fox Restaurants opens digital-only pizza, chicken concept

December 2, 2020

Fox Restaurant Concepts is opening Fly Bye, a digital-only restaurant serving Detroit-style square pan pizza and chicken, next week in central Phoenix.