Saladworks acquires Garbanzo

December 22, 2020

WOWorks, parent company of Saladworks, has acquired Centennial, Colorado-based Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh as well as Frutta Bowls, a fast casual concept…

Middleby acquires China-based United Foodservice Equipment Group

December 22, 2020

The Middleby Corp. has acquired Zhuhai Guangdong China based United Foodservice Equipment Group, a design, manufacture and supply of counter top commercial…

Consumers splurging on catered meals this holiday season

December 21, 2020

The 2020 holiday season may not offer the same gatherings, parties and hoopla of years' past, but diners are making sure it is still filled with amazing food…

Mooyah back on top after drastic sales loss

Mooyah President Tony Darden talks about how the chain is thriving depsite losing 40% of sales at the start of COVID-19.

Toast donating $35M to restaurant recovery

December 17, 2020

Toast POS, a restaurant management platform, is donating $35 million worth of free services and funding as part of a winter restaurant relief plan to support…

Why fresh-food vending is gaining fast casual market share

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Technology and changing consumer needs are creating an opportunity for fresh-food vending machines, which may prove to be a fierce competitor for fast casuals.

Luckin Coffee paying $180M to settle fraud allegations

December 16, 2020

China-based Luckin Coffee, which was once a major Starbucks competitor and a pioneer in self-service coffee, must pay a $180 million penalty after the U.S.

BurgerFi's IPO is a done deal

December 16, 2020

Opes Acquisition Corp.'s stockholders voted this week to approve the $100 million purchase of BurgerFi International, which was first announced in June.

Old Chicago's parent company opening 175 virtual locations

December 16, 2020

Nashville, Tennessee-based SPB Hospitality has launched its first virtual concept, Twisted Tenders, across 175 locations in 33 states, and a news release said…

Meet the inaugural class of WILD-certified brands

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

FastCasual is honoring fast casual brands dedicated to ensuring that women have a seat at the leadership table.

By Chloe blames pandemic for bankruptcy filing

December 15, 2020

By Chloe, a plant-based chain with 14 locations in the U.S., has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in hopes of staying afloat amid COVID-19, according…

Otto’s Tacos pivots to off-premise only model

December 14, 2020

As the pandemic continues, Otto's Tacos, based in New York, has pivoted into off-premise, digital-only sales — vacating its four brick-and-mortar locations…

7 necessities for nailing a socially distanced tailgate

Editor's note: Chef Chatter is a series featuring chef-authored blogs. If you'd like to write a Chef Chatter, send your idea to Cherryh Cansler at…

FAT Brands merging with controlling stakeholder

December 11, 2020

FAT Brands Inc., the parent company of Fatburger, Johnny Rockets and several other brands, is merging with Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc., FAT's controlling…

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Fast Casual Top 100 nominations now open

December 11, 2020

Nominations will close Jan. 31, and the results will be revealed at an annual awards gala in May in Chicago coinciding with the National Restaurant Association…

Is Your Restaurant Technology Ready for 2021?

Join Netsurion’s Mark Cline, senior vice present, and guest panelists, for a casual conversation about what lessons from 2020 every restaurant brand must learn…

Tropical Smoothie's same-store sales up 26%

December 10, 2020

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is continuing to post record-setting results this year with same-store sales up 26.3% in November. The chain has also signed 23…

Your Pie, InMoment partner to elevate customer experience

December 10, 2020

Your Pie said it has partnered with customer experience improvement company, InMoment, to put that key operating component "at the forefront" of the pizza…

Mici launches uncooked lasagana to go

December 8, 2020

Mici Handcrafted Italian, a five-unit fast casual based in Colorado, is offering customers the chance to serve its third-generation-recipe lasagna at home.

Curry Up Now serving low-proof cocktails

December 8, 2020

Curry Up Now is introducing six low-proof cocktails to its menu at all San Francisco Bay Area locations as part of its Mortar & Pestle bar brand, a craft…