Vaccine mandate takes effect January 4 for large businesses

November 4, 2021

The Biden administration's vaccine mandates for businesses with more than 100 employees, healthcare workers and federal contractors is set to take effect…

Lemonade juices up look

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Restaurant brands are shifting strategies as a result of the pandemic, and Lemonade, a California-based fast casual brand known for its seasonal food and…

Wingstop misses Q3 expectations

November 3, 2021

Although Wingstop Inc. reported Wednesday that systemwide sales were up 16.7% for the fiscal third quarter ending Sept. 25, the chicken wing chain's earnings…

Raising Cane's debuting unique design for Florida flagship

Raising Cane's gives a sneak peek of its flagship location coming to South Beach.

#QSRNext kicking off with QSR State of the Industry

November 1, 2021

#QSRNext, a virtual talk show hosted by QSRWeb and Leasecake, is going live Nov. 9 but will kick off with a pre-show countdown featuring a "QSR State of the…

Starbucks: 'Pandemic to blame for disappointing China sales'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Starbucks reported Thursday that Q4 revenue fell short of expectations, thanks to a 7% drop in same-store sales in China.

Has the point of sale become analog in the digitized restaurant industry?

by Chris Lybeer — Chief Strategy Officer, Revel Systems

POS systems are no longer all that is needed to complete a transaction. Chris Lybeer, chief strategy officer for Revel Systems, explains how restaurants must…

Blaze Pizza, Bojangles execs discuss switching from a transactional mindset to a customer mindset

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Restaurants are ditching the transactional mindset to focus on customers. A panel of brand executives explained how their companies are putting the customer…

Luckin Coffee reaches $175M settlement in class action suit

October 27, 2021

Luckin Coffee, a pioneer in coffee vending and a competitor to Starbucks in China that filed for bankruptcy protection in February, reached a $175 million…

Dig raises $65M in investments for innovative restaurant model

October 26, 2021

Dig, a vegetable-centric, multi-format restaurant group, has raised series F funding of $65 million for a growth plan coupled with progressive employee…

Why Sweetgreen created smaller format for World Trade Center

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Sweetgreen, which has 140 locations and filed Monday to go public, is opening Friday inside the World Trade Center. As one of the first food and beverage…

Blaze Pizza CEO: We’re facing industry challenges head on

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

There are more than a few big challenges facing pizza brands, but Blaze Pizza, given its strength and willingness to succeed, is facing the hurdles head on.

Sweetgreen going public

October 26, 2021

Sweetgreen Inc. is going public.

COVID-19 forces Soupergirl to close cafes, embrace retail

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Although COVID-19 forced Soupergirl to close its two cafes, the mother-daughter duo behind the Washington D.C. company is doubling its revenue in 2022 thanks…

FranConnect, FranNet partner up

October 25, 2021

FranConnect and FranNet are teaming up in a partnership that will allow them to harness the power of their respective specialties in an effort to empower…

Original ChopShop hopes to boost hiring with referral program

October 22, 2021

Original ChopShop, a neighborhood restaurant featuring food with whole ingredients, hopes to leverage the relationships with its guests and communities it…

Loyalty programs keeping restaurants sales steady despite COVID-19 restrictions, vaccine mandates

October 22, 2021

Restaurants across the country are still determining how to manage day-to-day operations in accordance with recommendations regarding COVID-19 and vaccine…

Chipotle boasts record-breaking sales

October 21, 2021

Chipotle broke its record for quarterly sales, reporting Thursday that comparable restaurant sales were up 15% and that revenues jumped 22% during Q3. Earnings…

Plant Power debuts flagship location in Vegas

October 21, 2021

San Diego-based Plant Power Fast Food, a 100% plant-based fast casual chain, opened a flagship location last week in Las Vegas.

Fast casual leaders: Off-premise dining more important than ever

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Three restaurant executives discussed the rise of off-premise dining during the COVID-19 pandemic at the recent Fast Casual Executive Summit in Charlotte…