COBS Bread Partners with Deliverect to Simplify Digital Ordering Across North America

Canada's leading fresh-bread franchise chain deploys Deliverect to give every bakery a unified connection between third-party ordering and in-store operations

True Food Kitchen files for Chapter 11, closes 12 restaurants

October 5, 2026

Phoenix-based True Food Kitchen filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Oct. 4 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas as it…

FCES keynote: To go far, go together

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

Chicken Salad Chick’s story shows that scaling successfully isn’t necessarily about moving faster or constantly reinventing the brand. It’s about knowing what…

Chipotle opens 1,500th Chipotlane in Florida

October 5, 2026

Chipotle Mexican Grill opened its 1,500th Chipotlane Sept. 29 at 16680 SR 64 East in Bradenton, Florida.

Swig to enter Pacific Northwest with 11-unit deal

October 2, 2026

Swig will enter the Pacific Northwest with an 11-unit franchise agreement with Sean Collins, Jared Collins and Ramey Mills. The franchisees plan to open their…

7 ways diners are cutting the check — from skipping drinks to choosing carryout

October 1, 2026

U.S. restaurant-goers are spending an average of $100 per week on dining out, an increase from earlier this year, but still down $15 compared to June 2025, as…

FAT Brands rebranding as OHG

September 30, 2026

FAT Brands is now called OHG (Original. Honest. Good.) following its acquisition by FBG Bid Co., in June 2026, marking a fresh start after the multi-brand…

Fuku CEO chats about real estate decisions that can make or break a brand

On this episode of Fast Casual Nation, Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler talk with Claudia Lezcano, CEO of Fuku, about how the David Chang chicken brand is…

Kutlerri.ai raises $4M to expand AI agents for restaurant sales, costs

September 30, 2026

Kutlerri.ai has raised $4 million from Houston-based Narahari Investments to accelerate development of its AI-powered agents, which are designed to increase…

Survey: Restaurant operators are optimistic, but equipment costs squeeze cash flow

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

A survey reveals that a percentage of restaurant owner/operators are optimistic, even in the face of rising costs and concerns over replacing equipment.

Grubhub moves into dine-in, betting on restaurant traffic and rewards

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The new weekly program gives diners Grubhub credit for eating at participating restaurants, including beta debuts in New York City and Chicago with Tacombi…

The people behind restaurants need care, too

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The deaths of Traveler’s Cart’s Thy and Matthew Mitchell and the loss of their two young children are a painful reminder that behind every restaurant are…

Mo’ Bettahs expands in home state with Highland, Utah opening

September 28, 2026

Fast casual Hawaiian lunch plate brand Mo' Bettahs is continuing its expansion in its home state of Utah with the opening of a restaurant at 10969 N. Town…

Stop taking so long: 5 lessons from Bar Rescue's Jon Taffer

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Here are five takeaways from Jon Taffer's keynote International Franchise Association event this week.

Flying Biscuit Café signs franchise agreement for Charlotte market

September 25, 2026

Flying Biscuit Café has signed a franchise agreement with David Mumby and Jimmy Mumby to bring the breakfast-and-brunch concept to the Charlotte, North…

Starbucks announces 250 store closures

September 24, 2026

Starbucks has confirmed in an email to FastCasual.com that it is closing 250 underperforming U.S. stores this week, even as its North American business returns…

Square integrates Apple Business to boost restaurant visibility on Apple Maps

September 24, 2026

Square has launched a new integration with Apple Business, allowing restaurant operators and other local businesses to manage their presence across Apple Maps…

Perfect Pitch winner TAP joins 9 brands in 2026 'Fast Casual Frontrunners'

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

There are plenty of restaurant brands trying to be the next big thing, but discovering those that could actually shape where fast casual goes next is a…

Angry Chickz to open 48th restaurant nationwide in Sacramento

September 24, 2026

Angry Chickz will open its first Sacramento, California, restaurant Sept. 25 at 4740 Natomas Road, marking the chicken chain's 40th California location and…

The $10 cocktail: Will it work on fast casual menus?

Bartender and James Beard nominee Ivy Leyenda joins Fast Casual Nation to break down whether cocktails belong on the fast casual menu.