Starbucks to have 55,000 stores by 2030

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

March 16, 2022

Shortly after Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson announced his retirement Tuesday, he told shareholders during the brand's annual meeting the company would continue…

Starbucks testing reusable cups, EV charging kiosks, recycle app

March 15, 2022

Starbucks is launching several initiatives designed to help support sustainability efforts, including a reusable cup program, a waste and recycling app to…

CEO of full-service brand shares lessons with fast casual operators

Jonathan Weathington, CEO of Shuckin' Shack, discusses how he doubled down on his unconventional marketing efforts invested in curbside pick-up and amped up…

Chopt opening 7 locations in 2022

March 14, 2022

Chopt Creative Salad Company, a NYC-based farm-to-fast-casual concept, is opening seven units this year in Georgia, Virginia and Maryland. "We've learned a…

BarSights Manager Log Book Now Includes New Features to Improve Communication

BarSights' Manager Log Book is a web-based software application designed to help restaurants manage their daily operations. The log book includes features to…

Captain D's converting former Bojangles store

March 9, 2022

Captain D's is adding to its Georgia presence by converting a former Bojangles restaurant in Elberton at 123 Elbert St., marking the brand's 106th store in the…

Omnibus 2022 budget won't restore employee retention tax credit

March 9, 2022

Congress has reached bipartisan agreement on a $1.5 trillion omnibus package to fund the government, according to a report in The Hill.

Starbucks closes Russian stores

March 9, 2022

Showing the world that it condemns Russia's attacks on Ukraine, Starbucks Corp. is closing all stores in Russia, joining several companies including…

Red Ribbon Bakeshop adds drive-thru

March 8, 2022

Red Ribbon Bakeshop Inc., a Philippines-founded bakery, debuted its first drive-thru location this weekend in the U.S. Located at 13421 Westheimer Road, Unit…

How 1 brand is changing the 'face' of barbecue

by Dan Hyman

Sonny’s BBQ pitmasters are bringing more women to the industry.

Women in the Lead 2022: 13 female execs share experiences

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

FastCasual is celebrating International Women's Day with our annual Women in the Lead story, featuring the stories of 13 females leading the industry.

Luckin Coffee concludes provisional liquidation

March 7, 2022

Luckin Coffee Inc., a pioneer in coffee vending and a competitor to Starbucks in China which entered into a restructuring support agreement with shareholders…

Papa Gino's, D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches hires execs to upgrade customer experience

March 7, 2022

New England Authentic Eats LLC, the parent company of Papa Gino's and D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches, has tapped two senior restaurant industry executives to help…

Integrating digital, on-site experiences is driving restaurant sales

March 7, 2022

Digital sales are the majority of sales at physical restaurants with 41% of average sales flowing through digital channels while 32% come from on-premise and…

Wow Bao creates menu for plant-based concept

March 7, 2022

Several industry leaders have come together to launch a plant-based protein brand — Skinny Butcher — in both retail and virtual restaurants.

Sweetgreen CEO sees 'clear runway' for 1,000 locations by 2030

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Sweetgreen's shares were up 17% Thursday after the Los Angeles-based company reported that revenues were up nearly 40% and that same-store sales increased 63…

Chef Jose Andres, Pollo Tropical helping Ukrainian refugees

March 4, 2022

Miami-based Pollo Tropical is partnering with Chef Jose Andres' charitable foundation, World Central Kitchen, to support relief efforts in and around Ukraine.

Panera Bread Foundation helping underserved, at-risk children

March 2, 2022

Panera Bread has refreshed the mission of its Panera Bread Foundation to "support and strengthen communities by investing in underserved and at-risk children…

Dillas Quesadillas lands investor

March 1, 2022

An investment from Gala Capital Partners LLC, a private investment company focusing on food and hospitality service franchises, will help expand Dillas…

Friendly's opens 1st fast casual prototype

March 1, 2022

Nearly a month after announcing that Friendly's would open a fast casual version, the 86-year-old company has opened its doors to Friendly's Cafe in Westfield…