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 — Publisher, 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 — Publisher, 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.  

Chanticleer names president

November 8, 2018

Chanticleer Holdings Inc., which owns and franchises a variety of brands, including American Burger Company, BGR — Burgers Grilled Right, Little Big Burger…

Chipotle, Dickey's, Applebee's execs offer tips on AI strategy, ROI

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

Artificial intelligence is fast becoming a mainstream technology for fast casual brands, but it requires a plan and data insight, as leaders revealed during a…

Starbucks testing delivery, mobile payment in Japan

November 8, 2018

Starbucks is planning a major expansion in Japan, opening 300 stores there over three years and launching a series of e-commerce initiatives, including mobile…

Moe's Southwest Grill taps design contestants to create taco to-go packaging

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Two designers take on the challenge of creating a taco take-out meal kit for Moe's that can prevent in-transit messes.

Shake Shack misses Q3 earnings expectations

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

November 2, 2018

While some Q3 numbers were up at Shake Shack — revenue grew 26.5 percent and system-wide year-over-year unit growth increased 31 percent — the chain's shares…

Starbucks: Happy hour, focus on improving digital channels responsible for solid Q4 numbers

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

November 2, 2018

Starbucks Corporation is enjoying a high this week, and it's not just because of the caffeine. The chain reported Thursday that Q4 global comparable store…

Pret a Manger agrees to settle worker lawsuit for nearly $1M

October 31, 2018

Pret A Manger will pay nearly $1 million to settle wage claims with New York employees, according to The Times UK.

Piccadilly expanding to-go locations to Louisiana

October 31, 2018

Piccadilly Restaurants is opening Louisiana's first Piccadilly To Go location Nov. 7 in Baton Rouge.  The 1,320-square-foot location, at 216 Lee Dr., offers…

7 reasons to augment your menu for the holidays

You'll be rewarded with satisfied customers, higher profits  and rejuvenated employees

Chipotle reports positive Q3 earnings

October 26, 2018

Chipotle Mexican Grill reported this week that revenue increased 8.6 percent to $1.2 million and that comparable restaurant sales increased 4.4 percent.