Freddy's sees sales, unit growth

February 16, 2022

For Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, 2021 was a year filled with success. The Wichita, Kansas-based chain reported a 17.8% increase in systemwide…

Smokey Bones launching first drive-thru

February 16, 2022

Smokey Bones, which has 61 full-service locations in 16 states, is adding a digital drive-thru lane to its restaurants with the first opening in April in…

New York Congressman seeks $60B for Restaurant Revitalization Fund

February 16, 2022

Joe Morelle U.S. Congressman Joe Morelle on Tuesday stood alongside foodservice operators to call for the replenishment of the Restaurant…

Reshaping the Guest Experience to Cope with Staffing Challenges

To maintain a quality experience, restaurant operators need to rethink the way they manage their business. That means doing what they can to speed up service…

Wingstop investing $50M in tech

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 16, 2022

Although Wingstop's Q4 domestic same-store sales increased 7.5%, the Texas-based chain suffered a net income loss of $6.4 million, or 21 cents per share…

Putting a face to faceless transactions: Four ways to maintain invaluable connections with customers

The famous theme song from “Cheers” perfectly put words to the ultimate rapport restaurants want with their customers. These days, though, building a…

Presented by FastCasual.com

How 1 chain found success with fruits and veggies

Thomas Nieto, CEO of Main Squeeze Juice Co., discusses how doubling down on healthy food during the pandemic has brought success.

Newk's rolls out drive-thru prototype

February 15, 2022

Mississippi-based Newk's Eatery is making its Fort Smith, Arkansas, debut next week with its first drive-thru prototype.

Fazoli's surges into 2022

February 15, 2022

Fazoli's, owned by FAT Brands Inc., finished 2021 on a growth spurt.

Stockholder seeks control of US Foods

February 15, 2022

Sachem Head Capital Management, an investment firm, is seeking control of US Foods Holding Corp's board, claiming the company has failed to make operational…

Chipotle opens 3,000th unit

February 15, 2022

Chipotle Mexican Grill has opened its 3,000th restaurant, according to a company press release.

Mici Italian has big plans for 2022

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Mici Italian has seven units in the Denver area. The company is poised for growth and has plans to double its size in 2022.

Chicken Salad Chick soars in 2021

February 11, 2022

In a year when many brands struggled, Chicken Salad Chick saw a nearly 50% increase in sales and added 30 restaurants. Specifically, it reported $255 million…

7Shifts raises $80M in funding round

February 10, 2022

7shifts, a team management platform for restaurants, has raised $80 million in Series C funding led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2. The round also includes…

Original ChopShop same-store sales up 35%

February 9, 2022

Original ChopShop CEO Jason Morgan said the Arizona-based chain's 2021 sales results were proof that it has been meeting guests' needs to "Just Feel Good about…

Chipotle CEO open to price increases

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Chipotle's Q4 earnings mostly beat analysts' expectations, despite higher food and labor costs. Its December price increase helped to offset their impact…

Modern Market moving HQs, focusing on catering

February 8, 2022

Modern Market Eatery has big plans for 2022, including moving its headquarters to downtown Denver, placing a heavier focus on a refined catering program and…

C3 running foodservice operations at Vegas hotel

February 8, 2022

Sam Nazarian's C3, a global food tech platform, is taking over daily operations of in-room dining and local deliveries at The Westin Las Vegas Hotel & Spa.

Restaurant gift card sales up in 2021, still down over 2019

February 8, 2022

Restaurant gift card sales were up 22% in 2021, compared to 2020, but still down 13% than 2019, according to Paytronix's Restaurant Gift Gard Sales Report 2022.

Starbird 'popping up' in Southern California

February 8, 2022

In anticipation of its expansion across west Los Angeles in 2022, Starbird is entering the Southern California market with a pop-up kitchen in the South Bay to…