Torchy's Tacos adds former Dunkin', Walmart execs to leadership team

January 14, 2019

Torchy's Tacos, based in Austin, has added two members to its leadership team, Scott Hudler as chief marketing officer and Elizabeth Baxter as chief people…

Your Pie opens 7 units in Q4, names COO

January 14, 2019

Growth was the theme of Q4 2018 at Your Pie, according to a company press release that said the brand opened seven stores, bringing its total footprint to 6…

Taco Bell HR leader on making your restaurant an employee magnet

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Taco Bell's VP of People and Experience discusses the brand's multi-faceted approach to pulling in great employees in a tight labor market.

Gigi's Cupcakes, Gatti's file bankruptcy with $32M debt

January 10, 2019

Sovrano LLC, which owns Gigi's Cupcakes and Gatti's Pizza, has filed for bankruptcy protection on behalf of both brands, according to a statement that the…

Dickey's welcomes VP of Franchise Sales

January 9, 2019

Dickey's Barbecue Pit has named John Geyerman, who previously worked with Walmart, H-E-B, Schlotzsky's and AngMar Companies, as its VP of Franchise…

10 ways to prepare your restaurant for a potential recession

There is no need to act like Chicken Little at this point, but if these predictions do hold any shred of truth, there are a few lessons learned from the…

Quiznos, Taco Del Mar welcoming new CEO

January 4, 2019

Restaurant industry veteran Tim Casey is now CEO of Rego Restaurant Group — the fast casual restaurant platform backed by San Diego-based private investment…

Fiesta Group CFO resigns

January 3, 2019

Fiesta Restaurant Group CFO and Treasurer Lynn Schweinfurth is resigning Jan. 25, 2019, to pursue another career opportunity, according to a press release.

Spin Pizza rolls out menu, name changes

December 27, 2018

Spin Neapolitan Pizza, a Kansas City-based fast casual pizza concept founded 13 years ago, has changed its name to Spin Pizza, part of a large effort to…

Question: Is the service model of the future quick or experiential? Answer: Yes

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Customers want fast food but an experience to go with it.

Pollo Tropical, Taco Cabana shuttering units

December 20, 2018

Pollo Tropical is closing 14 units across Florida and Georgia, and Taco Cabana will shutter nine in Texas, according to Fiesta Restaurant Group, the brands…

One year after tax reform: How are restaurants faring?

The benefits provided by the Tax Act may leave restaurants with spare capital to spend, providing cash-flow relief from sluggish same-store sales and higher…

Chipotle skips sponsorship of college bowl games, offers free delivery instead

December 20, 2018

In honor of college football season, Chipotle Mexican Grill is offering free delivery now through Jan. 7 on any Chipotle order worth $10 or more. "Given the…

Fiesta Restaurant Group names former Panera exec as SVP, general counsel, corporate secretary

December 17, 2018

Fiesta Restaurant Group Inc., parent company of Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana, has appointed Louis DiPietro as its SVP, general counsel and corporate…

Starbucks focuses on delivery

December 14, 2018

Delivery is a top priority at Starbucks, according to CEO Kevin Johnson and several of the chain's other leaders who discussed growth strategies during…

How 3 former Zoes execs teamed up to fuel growth of Bellagreen, Original ChopShop

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Hargett Hunter Capital Partners CEO Jason Morgan tapped two of his former colleagues at Zoes Kitchen to help him develop and expand two emerging fast casual…

Is your restaurant brand effectively managing cash?

Remote cash capture technology and automated cash handling can help restaurants streamline cash-handling processes, reduce transportation requirements, gain…

FAT Brands aquires Yalla

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

December 4, 2018

FAT Brands has acquired Yalla Mediterranean, a seven-unit fast casual chain specializing in Mediterranean cuisine. With this acquisition, Yalla — based in Los…

Former Pizza Inn, Pie Five CEO leaves retirement behind to expand Tampa-based burger brand

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

After spending a year in retirement, Randy Gier, former CEO of Pizza Inn and Pie Five, has decided to get back in the restaurant business by helping…

Why your old-school training methods are failing

During a panel at the annual Fast Casual Executive Summit, industry executives discussed how they keep their employees engaged by using a variety of tools…