LevelUp teams with FullContact to improve customer segmentation

March 13, 2018

LevelUp has partnered with FullContact, an identity resolution provider, to power precision marketing programs by providing foodservice operators with a…

How to avoid 5 restaurant employee privacy breaches

In the restaurant sector, digital solutions provide an easy and streamlined way to prevent infringing on your employee's privacy rights.

Jamba Juice using tech to help manage costs of doing business

Susan Taylor, director of franchise operations at Jamba Juice,

International Women's Day: Q&A with 25 female execs from Subway, Tender Greens, many more

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

In celebration of International Women's Day, FastCasual interviewed 25 of the industry's leading ladies.

Farmer Boys names chief people officer

March 6, 2018

Farmer Boys has hired restaurant industry veteran Tammy Johns to serve as VP and chief people officer, according to a company press release. Johns brings with…

Pei Wei to Panda Express: 'Our orange chicken is wei better'

March 6, 2018

In an effort to compete with Panda Express, Pei Wei has launched its Wei Better Orange Chicken made-to-order with fresh, house-cut and battered crispy tempura…

Habit Burger reports mixed Q4 financial results

March 1, 2018

The Habit Restaurants announced this week that its 4Q revenue increased 15.2 percent to $85.1 million compared to $73.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Starbucks exec takes top spot at El Pollo Loco

March 1, 2018

Former Starbucks executive Bernard Acoca has a new gig as El Pollo Loco's president and CEO. He begins the job March 12, succeeding CEO Steve Sather, who is…

How Cracker Barrel is reaching Gen Y, Z consumers through fast casual concept

Mike Chissler, chief operating officer of Holler & Dash, pulls back the curtain on Holler & Dash — Cracker Barrel's fast casual concept serving southern style…

Why Smiling Moose is betting on full-service concept

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Smiling Moose Rocky Mountain Deli — based in Colorado with 16 units in seven states — unveiled a prototype last month in Denver for a casual dining version of…

Fatburger debuts Impossible Burger at all US locations

February 21, 2018

Fatburger is now serving the Impossible Burgers in all its U.S. locations, according to a company press release.

7 shortcuts to higher profits via menu board optimization

Effective menu board design follows a structured, analytical approach that is much more than a graphic exercise.

Shake Shack aims to double units, surpass $700M in revenue by 2020

February 16, 2018

The last quarter of 2017 was good to Shake Shack, according to the company's earnings call this afternoon. Total revenue increased 31.2 percent to $96.…

How 1 couple's love story was the catalyst to a thriving pizza business

Natalie and Drew French came up with the idea to launch their fast casual pizza brand —Your Pie — while honeymooning in Italy.

Will the Senate push back menu-labeling law again?

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

The U.S. House passage this week of the so-called "Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act" (H.R. 772) is either an attempt to water down previous menu-labeling…

Chipotle announces bonuses, new training programs, expanded parental leave for employees

February 7, 2018

Possibly taking its cue from Starbucks, which announced last week that it was giving its employees raises and more time off as a result of the Tax Cuts and…

Chipotle's CFO: Lower income tax rate will save $40-$50 million in 2018

February 6, 2018

Chipotle Mexican Grill reported today that its revenue increased 7.3 percent to $1.1 billion during its fourth quarter for the year ended Dec. 31, 2017. CFO…

Former Buffalo Wild Wings CEO joins board of Digi International

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

February 6, 2018

The $2.9 billion acquisition of Buffalo Wild Wings by Arby's Restaurant Group is now complete, which puts Arby's CEO Paul Brown in the top position of the…

5 tips for finding the best location for your brand

Fast casual franchisees should consider a few specific components when determining the perfect spot for their next storefronts:

Smashburger's taps Arrowstream to manage supply chain

January 29, 2018

Smashburger has partnered with ArrowStream, a supply chain provider that leverages data science to improve the way supply chains perform, according to a…