Fiesta Group CFO resigns

January 3, 2019

Fiesta Restaurant Group CFO and Treasurer Lynn Schweinfurth is resigning Jan. 25, 2019, to pursue another career opportunity, according to a press release.

Spin Pizza rolls out menu, name changes

December 27, 2018

Spin Neapolitan Pizza, a Kansas City-based fast casual pizza concept founded 13 years ago, has changed its name to Spin Pizza, part of a large effort to…

Question: Is the service model of the future quick or experiential? Answer: Yes

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Customers want fast food but an experience to go with it.

Pollo Tropical, Taco Cabana shuttering units

December 20, 2018

Pollo Tropical is closing 14 units across Florida and Georgia, and Taco Cabana will shutter nine in Texas, according to Fiesta Restaurant Group, the brands…

One year after tax reform: How are restaurants faring?

The benefits provided by the Tax Act may leave restaurants with spare capital to spend, providing cash-flow relief from sluggish same-store sales and higher…

Chipotle skips sponsorship of college bowl games, offers free delivery instead

December 20, 2018

In honor of college football season, Chipotle Mexican Grill is offering free delivery now through Jan. 7 on any Chipotle order worth $10 or more. "Given the…

Fiesta Restaurant Group names former Panera exec as SVP, general counsel, corporate secretary

December 17, 2018

Fiesta Restaurant Group Inc., parent company of Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana, has appointed Louis DiPietro as its SVP, general counsel and corporate…

Starbucks focuses on delivery

December 14, 2018

Delivery is a top priority at Starbucks, according to CEO Kevin Johnson and several of the chain's other leaders who discussed growth strategies during…

How 3 former Zoes execs teamed up to fuel growth of Bellagreen, Original ChopShop

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Hargett Hunter Capital Partners CEO Jason Morgan tapped two of his former colleagues at Zoes Kitchen to help him develop and expand two emerging fast casual…

Is your restaurant brand effectively managing cash?

Remote cash capture technology and automated cash handling can help restaurants streamline cash-handling processes, reduce transportation requirements, gain…

FAT Brands aquires Yalla

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, 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 — Publisher, 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 — Publisher, 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…