UFG adds 105 locations, signs 148 franchisee deals in 1H

September 15, 2026

United Franchise Group reported robust growth during the first half of 2026, adding 105 locations, signing 148 individual franchisee agreements and executing…

Restaurant traffic moderates in late August, fast-casual chains still outperform

September 14, 2026

Sweetgreen posted the strongest fast-casual performance among major chains, with visits 5.9% above its typical weekly average. Chopt visits fell 9.6% below…

How Sankranti built its own fast-casual Indian food playbook

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Srinivasa “Nimms” Nimmagadda and his team spent years developing a fast-casual Indian food concept playbook through Sankranti Indian Kitchen. Now the company…

Top 30 Movers & Shakers in Catering 2026

This annual initiative shines a spotlight on the visionary leaders, innovators, and brands redefining off-premises dining. From pioneering game-changing…

Presented by MONKEY Catering Platform

The Big Greek Cafe partners with Deliverect, Thanx to streamline digital ordering

September 11, 2026

Fast-casual concept Big Greek Cafe is revamping its tech infrastructure, selecting digital restaurant platforms Deliverect and Thanx to unify ordering, direct…

Nominations are open: Is your fast casual brand one to watch in 2027?

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Nominations close Oct. 5, 2026.

Taco Bell Cantina opens inside Allegiant Stadium

September 11, 2026

Diversified Restaurant Group has announced in a new release the opening of a Taco Bell Cantina inside Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, marking the first Taco…

Rusty Taco expands nontraditional footprint through airport, entertainment venues

September 11, 2026

Rusty Taco is expanding its national footprint through nontraditional venues, including airports, convenience stores and entertainment destinations. The…

How Penn Station is winning over Gen Z without discounting

Penn Station President Lance Vaught and Curion's Thomas Gilbert join Fast Casual Nation to break down how the 40-year-old sandwich brand is winning over Gen Z…

Presented by Curion Insights

Why Jersey Mike’s is no longer renting the customer

The shift toward first-party ordering is happening alongside another important change in the company's growth strategy: Jersey Mike’s is deliberately relying…

WOWorks unleashes tiered franchise incentives, co-branding discounts to drive growth

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

September 10, 2026

WOWorks, the parent company behind Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, The Simple Greek, Barberitos and Zoup Eatery, has launched a…

6 ways c-stores and grocers are stealing fast casual lunch traffic

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

A Toast study reveals how cash-flush retailers are leveraging AI, prepared foods and aggressive hiring to win dining dollars.

National Restaurant Association launches 'Made in Restaurants' initiative

September 9, 2026

The National Restaurant Association has launched "Made in Restaurants," a national initiative designed to showcase the restaurant industry's role in shaping…

Sweetgreen to open 1st Jacksonville, Florida, location

September 9, 2026

Sweetgreen is expanding into northeast Florida with the upcoming opening of its first Jacksonville location at 4624 Town Crossing Drive. The 2,560-square-foot…

The Big Greek Café Selects Deliverect and Thanx to Power Digital Ordering and Loyalty Across U.S. Locations

Maryland-born brand unifies first-party & third-party ordering, dispatch, and loyalty on Deliverect and Thanx as it modernizes its digital tech stack

Why Chain’s ‘pop cuisine’ concept is testing food hall format

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

The American pop-cuisine food brand is launching its newest dining format to determine the viability of different, experiential locations.

Tenderloins lead the way in the handheld chicken boom

Handheld chicken concepts are having a moment, or rather a movement.

Presented by Mountaire Farms

Brothers, friends launch Griller Bros in Bangladesh, ready to grow

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Founded by three brothers and a core group of culinary professionals with two decades of international food industry experience, Griller Bros was born out of a…

4 reasons (and a raccoon) why you can't miss the Fast Casual Executive Summit

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Keynoters, Perfect Pitch contestants and a trash panda walk into Arlington; here's your Fast Casual Executive Summit October 4–6 game plan.

How Steele Smiley sold a fitness empire to bet on healthy fast food

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Steele Smiley spent 15 years building a fitness empire with more than 900 U.S. franchisees and locations in more than 35 countries, sold it, and founded CRISP…