FAT Brands aquires Yalla

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

December 4, 2018

FAT Brands has acquired Yalla Mediterranean, a seven-unit fast casual chain specializing in Mediterranean cuisine. With this acquisition, Yalla — based in Los…

Former Pizza Inn, Pie Five CEO leaves retirement behind to expand Tampa-based burger brand

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

After spending a year in retirement, Randy Gier, former CEO of Pizza Inn and Pie Five, has decided to get back in the restaurant business by helping…

Why your old-school training methods are failing

During a panel at the annual Fast Casual Executive Summit, industry executives discussed how they keep their employees engaged by using a variety of tools…

Chef Chatter: Why you can't ignore the plant-forward movement

​​​​​​​Committing to at least a partially plant-based menu is a win-win for fast casuals and customers.

Porn officially taken off the menu at Starbucks

November 29, 2018

Starbucks customers will have to order their lattes sans porn as the coffee giant is rolling out a tool next year to block them from viewing explicit content…

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza partners with (RED) in support of World AIDS Day

November 28, 2018

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza is teaming up with (RED) Saturday in support of  World AIDS Day, according to a company press release. The chain is offering a…

Presidents of Krystal, Schlotzsky's, Auntie Anne's, Huey Magoo's make up 'Franchising Think Tank'

The Franchising Think Tank is part of the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit, March 11-13, in Louisville.

Creating Value with Table Tracking Systems

The ability to deliver food to guests quickly and efficiently is a tremendous benefit, but it’s just the first link in the value chain. Learn why brands such…

Mac’d taps eatsa to integrate digital order channels, boost customer experience

November 27, 2018

The build-your-own mac and cheese fast casual Mac’d is deploying eatsa’s technology platform to integrate order-to-pickup processes.

Dos Toros launches additional revenue stream with line of bottled sauces

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

November 26, 2018

Dos Toros Taqueria has jumped into the retail industry with the launch of bottled hot sauces. Available on its website or in its 19 units, the options include…

Zoes CEO out as Cava completes acquisition

November 26, 2018

Zoes CEO Kevin Miles is out of a job now that Washington D.C.-based Cava Group has completed its $300 million acquisition of the brand, a plan it first…

Restaurants pull romaine lettuce after CDC issues E coli warning

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

November 20, 2018

Updated: 8:30 a.m., Nov. 21

Landcadia acquires Waitr for $308M

November 16, 2018

Landcadia Holding has completed its acquisition of Waitr, a restaurant platform for online ordering and on-demand food delivery.

ezCater launches management platform

November 14, 2018

Online business catering marketplace ezCater is launching the next generation of its management platform, ezManage, according to a news release. 

Streamlining Your Returns Process Pays Dividends

Online shopping is booming. Returns are not.

Don’t Ghost Your Customers When it Comes to Their BOPIS Experience

According to Acceo Tender Retail, omnichannel retailing is the fastest growing sector where customers can choose and buy an item online and then pick it up…

Four Foods Group CEO: Why restaurateurs should stop obsessing over their number

As CEO of Four Foods Group, Andrew K. Smith raised the necessary capital to develop and operate 132 restaurants in a nine-state territory but has decided to…

JPMorgan Chase launches Franchise & Restaurant Group

November 12, 2018

JPMorgan Chase's Commercial Bank announced the launch of the a franchise and restaurant group within its middle market banking and specialized industries…

Power couple transforms one-unit business into franchising empire

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Andrew and Shauna Smith started their entrepreneurship journey 10 years ago by opening a single Kneaders Bakery franchise in Utah but have since created a…

Honeygrow closing 3 Chicago units

November 8, 2018

Honeygrow, based in Philadelphia, is closing three of its Chicago area units, according to an email to FastCasual from a company spokesperson.