FAT Brands rebranding as OHG

September 30, 2026

FAT Brands is now called OHG (Original. Honest. Good.) following its acquisition by FBG Bid Co., in June 2026, marking a fresh start after the multi-brand…

Fuku CEO chats about real estate decisions that can make or break a brand

On this episode of Fast Casual Nation, Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler talk with Claudia Lezcano, CEO of Fuku, about how the David Chang chicken brand is…

Kutlerri.ai raises $4M to expand AI agents for restaurant sales, costs

September 30, 2026

Kutlerri.ai has raised $4 million from Houston-based Narahari Investments to accelerate development of its AI-powered agents, which are designed to increase…

Survey: Restaurant operators are optimistic, but equipment costs squeeze cash flow

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

A survey reveals that a percentage of restaurant owner/operators are optimistic, even in the face of rising costs and concerns over replacing equipment.

Grubhub moves into dine-in, betting on restaurant traffic and rewards

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The new weekly program gives diners Grubhub credit for eating at participating restaurants, including beta debuts in New York City and Chicago with Tacombi…

The people behind restaurants need care, too

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The deaths of Traveler’s Cart’s Thy and Matthew Mitchell and the loss of their two young children are a painful reminder that behind every restaurant are…

Mo’ Bettahs expands in home state with Highland, Utah opening

September 28, 2026

Fast casual Hawaiian lunch plate brand Mo' Bettahs is continuing its expansion in its home state of Utah with the opening of a restaurant at 10969 N. Town…

Stop taking so long: 5 lessons from Bar Rescue's Jon Taffer

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Here are five takeaways from Jon Taffer's keynote International Franchise Association event this week.

Flying Biscuit Café signs franchise agreement for Charlotte market

September 25, 2026

Flying Biscuit Café has signed a franchise agreement with David Mumby and Jimmy Mumby to bring the breakfast-and-brunch concept to the Charlotte, North…

Starbucks announces 250 store closures

September 24, 2026

Starbucks has confirmed in an email to FastCasual.com that it is closing 250 underperforming U.S. stores this week, even as its North American business returns…

Square integrates Apple Business to boost restaurant visibility on Apple Maps

September 24, 2026

Square has launched a new integration with Apple Business, allowing restaurant operators and other local businesses to manage their presence across Apple Maps…

Perfect Pitch winner TAP joins 9 brands in 2026 'Fast Casual Frontrunners'

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

There are plenty of restaurant brands trying to be the next big thing, but discovering those that could actually shape where fast casual goes next is a…

Angry Chickz to open 48th restaurant nationwide in Sacramento

September 24, 2026

Angry Chickz will open its first Sacramento, California, restaurant Sept. 25 at 4740 Natomas Road, marking the chicken chain's 40th California location and…

The $10 cocktail: Will it work on fast casual menus?

Bartender and James Beard nominee Ivy Leyenda joins Fast Casual Nation to break down whether cocktails belong on the fast casual menu.

Starbird bringing 15 locations to Pacific Northwest

September 23, 2026

Fast casual chicken concept Starbird Chicken is expanding into Washington state through a franchise agreement with Mehta Investment Group that will bring 1…

Closing the gap between order ready and order in hand

Why the last mile costs operators more than they think. The gap between order ready and order in hand is part of the operation that affects labor efficiency…

Presented by Apex Order Pickup Solutions

What is driving Kona Ice’s success?

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Tony Lamb is the Founder and visionary behind Kona Ice, the tropical shaved-ice brand that turned an ice cream truck nightmare into experiences that customers…

Breadless launches franchise expansion with first multi-unit agreement

September 22, 2026

Detroit-based Breadless signed a multi-unit development agreement with Third Coast Harvest LLC, officially launching the brand's franchise expansion strategy.

HB Protein Smoothies signs 6-unit South Florida franchise deal

September 22, 2026

HB Protein Smoothies signed a six-unit development agreement with franchisee Bob Morris to expand in South Florida. The deal marks the Scottsdale…

KPOT Rolls Out Deliverect Across 140 U.S. Restaurants to Manage Third-Party Marketplace Ordering

Korean BBQ and hot pot chain partners with Deliverect for third-party order aggregation and menu management as it standardizes digital operations across its…