I Heart Mac & Cheese launches mobile app

February 18, 2020

I Heart Mac & Cheese, a fast casual concept specializing in customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese bowls and grilled cheese sandwiches, has…

Chipotle goes all in for hockey

February 18, 2020

Chipotle Mexican Grill is treating hockey fans to freebies Friday with its "Wear Your Hockey Jersey" program. Fans dressed in their fave hockey jerseys can…

Checkers & Rally's taps former Boston Market leader as CEO

February 17, 2020

Tampa, Florida-based Checkers & Rally's has named former Boston Market CEO Frances Allen as its CEO and board member, effective today. She succeeds Rick…

Toast lands $400M in funding

February 14, 2020

Toast, a restaurant management platform in the U.S., today has raised $400 million in its latest round of funding led by Bessemer Venture Partners, TPG…

Chop Chop Rice CEO: 'We can't hire like we did in the past'

David Smith, CEO of Chop Chop Rice Co., shares the eight things he does to recruit and keep high-quality employees.

Orange Leaf's positive SSS growth continues to climb

February 13, 2020

Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt finished 2019 on a high note, achieving positive same-store sales growth, which President and COO Kendall Ware attributed to an…

WeWork launches workspace for restaurants

February 13, 2020

WeWork Food Labs — designed for food-focused entrepreneurs and companies that need a collaborative and flexible workspace — is now open in New York City. The…

Chipotle goes 'Gauc Mode'

February 12, 2020

We've heard of beast mode, but Chipotle is taking it to "Guac Mode," giving free guac to its more than 8.5 million Chipotle Rewards members. To celebrate the…

Newk's hires former la Madeline operations VP

February 10, 2020

Newk's Eatery has named Joe Pate as its first chief operations officer, a position created to expand the operations team as part its growth plan.

Leveraging technology to manage restaurant labor costs

Labor can make or break a restaurant, being the one variable that exists in all facets of a restaurant’s core functionality and a top concern among managers…

Roti hires former Dean and DeLuca president as CEO

February 5, 2020

Chicago-based Roti Modern Mediterranean has hired Justin Seamonds as its CEO to help strengthen it for for long-term growth, according to a company press…

10 ways to make your customers heart you on Valentine’s Day

by Kristi Turner, Compeat, Kristi Turner — CMO, Compeat

About 32% of Americans will visit a restaurant on Valentine's Day, and it's not just for coulples. Single men will spend an average of $71, while single woman…

Smashburger taps Partners + Napier to fuel 'major brand restoration'

February 4, 2020

Smashburger, which has 300 locations, has selected integrated creative company Partners + Napier as creative and media agency of record following a competitive…

Freddy's growing strong

February 4, 2020

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers experienced record-breaking success in 2019, achieving its 12th consecutive period of positive same-store sales…

Why Saladworks is taking a shot on virtual kitchens

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Although Saladworks CEO Kelly Roddy isn't sure the chain can make money from using virtual kitchens, he's willing to "invest and learn."

How self-service ordering kiosks are transforming QSRs

While the QSR experience is typically quite simple, the introduction of more advanced technology -- namely self-service food ordering kiosks -- over the course…

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Starbucks adds 33 markets to delivery route

January 31, 2020

Starbucks and Uber Eats have added 33 markets to its delivery program, making the service available in 49 markets across 29 U.S. states. New cities…

Why you should follow these 3 basic operations strategies in your restaurant

by Josh Knapp — iRetail Key Account Manager, Advantech

With the rise of convenience-driven technologies, labor challenges and an increasingly informed consumer population, there are new hurdles which fast casual…

Can a robot become the ultimate burger 'Creator?'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

San Francisco's Creator is the first fast casual restaurant to automate a composed dish — i.e. not a bowl of ingredients —  from start to finish.

But I'm not a regular restaurant; I'm a cool restaurant

by Kristi Turner — CMO, Compeat

According to the National Restaurant Association, 1.2 million fewer 16- to 24-year-olds will be in the labor force by 2028, so one expert gives you some tips…