Operations News & Media

Breakfast, lunch sales rebounding

December 23, 2021

The breakfast daypart is rebounding, according to a report from The NPD Group.

Inspire Brands: Anatomy of a technology transformation

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Raghu Sagi of Inspire Brands shared the learnings the organization has uncovered over the last two years and the highlights of its companywide digital…

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20-year-old entrepreneur refreshes Vitality Brands in Oregon

December 22, 2021

Vitality Bowls in Tualatin has a new owner, local entrepreneur Andres Radilla, and a new look to go with it.

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FastCasual's most-read stories of 2021

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

The year's top headlines ranged from stories about robots automating the industry and the growth of Shaq's fast casual brand to updates on COVID-19, menu…

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TikTok jumping into virtual dining

December 21, 2021

Social media platform TikTok has partnered with Virtual Dining Concepts, a provider of virtual dining spaces, to create TikTok Kitchen, a dining service…

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Consumers a bit more impatient at drive-thrus, carryout

December 20, 2021

Consumers are becoming more impatient when waiting for their food at drive-thrus and pick-up windows thanks in part to technology in restaurants, according to…

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Combo Kitchen pairing D. Wade Burgers with Winghouse

December 17, 2021

Combo Kitchen and NBA champions and entrepreneurs Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem are partnering on a ghost kitchen with Florida-based restaurant chain WingHouse…

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Chipotle's first Chipotlane Digital Kitchen debuting this month

December 16, 2021

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.'s first Chipotlane Digital Kitchen and walk-up window restaurant will open later this month in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, for digital…

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FAT Brands completes Fazoli’s acquisition

December 16, 2021

FAT Brands Inc. has completed its acquisition of Fazoli's from Sentinel Capital Partners, marking the company's official entry into the Italian quick-service…

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Hooters, Hoots CEO reveals 5 ways he preps teams for holidays blitz

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Sal Melilli, CEO of HOA Brands, the parent company to Hooters and Hoots Wings, shares how he is preparing his team for the holiday rush.

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Fuku partners with Kitchen United

December 16, 2021

David Chang's Fuku and ghost kitchen industry leader Kitchen United have announced a national partnership, kicking off with Fuku's new headquarters at Kitchen…

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Panera taps Radar to boost digital ordering

December 15, 2021

Radar, a geofencing platform, will help fast casual chain Panera Bread accelerate the digital transformation of Panera's next-generation cafe design to help…

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Velvet Taco launches first loyalty program

December 15, 2021

Velvet Taco, a fast casual concept feature globally inspired recipes and the freshest ingredients, has partnered with Thanx, a guest engagement platform for…

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Lyft teams with Olo on restaurant delivery

December 15, 2021

Ride share company Lyft is teaming up with Olo, and its on-demand commerce platform Dispatch, to deliver digital orders for Olo's restaurant network brands.

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Ziggy's Coffee opens new headquarters

December 14, 2021

Ziggi's Coffee, a specialty coffee shop and drive-thru franchise serving handcrafted drinks, locally-made breakfast, and lunch and snack options, has opened a…

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Boston Starbucks workers aim to unionize

December 14, 2021

Workers at two Boston-based Starbucks stores filed to unionize Monday just one week after fellow employees in Buffalo unionized the first store in the chain.

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Torchy's Tacos opens 1st Virginia location

December 14, 2021

Torchy's Tacos will open tomorrow in Charlottesville, Virginia. The store will be located at 1951 Swanson Drive and marks Torchy's first Virginia location and…

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Philadelphia to require COVID vaccine for indoor dining

December 14, 2021

Philadelphia is the latest city to require proof of vaccination inside dining establishments. Diners will have to show their vaccination card and a government…

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Kum & Go transforming into fast casual brand?

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Kum & Go has created a line of freshly prepared sandwiches, grain bowls, pizzas and blended beverages worthy of any fast casual brand, according to Jac…

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Luckin Coffee improves Q3 2021 sales, earnings

December 13, 2021

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

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