Chipotle withdraws Boy Scout sponsorship because of group's ban on gays

March 20, 2013

Because of the Boy Scouts of America's long-standing ban on gays, Chipotle Mexican Grill has pulled its sponsorship of Utah's Scout-O-Rama, according to the…

Red Lobster testing fast cas concept

March 20, 2013

Just a month after Applebee's extended its fast casual lunch concept to all stores in its home market of Kansas City, Mo., Red Lobster announced this week that…

Bellwether, Restaurant Insights merge to offer services to chain restaurants

March 20, 2013

Bellwether Food Group, a strategic planning, sales and brand consultancy firm, and Restaurant Insights, a market research company, are merging to create a new…

PizzaRev gets an investment boost from Buffalo Wild Wings

March 19, 2013

PizzaRev, an artisan pizza concept based in Los Angeles, today announced that Buffalo Wild Wings has taken a minority position in its new concept. Terms of the…

FastCasual.com hosting webinar on mobile payment security

March 19, 2013

With a push toward mobility, restaurant owners are capitalizing on wireless technology to provide customers with new loyalty and couponing programs. Creating a…

Why restaurants should take customers out of comfort zones

Customers stuck in an ordering rut will leave your restaurant to try something new.

Franchise Association strengthens commitment to hire veterans

March 15, 2013

The International Franchise Association VetFran initiative has strengthened its partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's "Hiring our Heroes" program and…

Togo's CEO boasts big growth plans for 2013

Tony Gioia discussed with FastCasual.com his growth strategy, the fast casual brand he admires most and what trends he thinks the industry will embrace this…

FREEBIRDS giving bracket winners the bird

March 15, 2013

While most chains are running promotions to reward the fans with winning brackets in the NCAA Tournament, FREEBIRDS World Burritos is giving the bird to…

MonkeyMedia Software launches Catering Institute for restaurant operators

March 14, 2013

MonkeyMedia Software, a provider of turnkey catering solutions for restaurant operators, has announced the launch of its MMS Catering Institute — an education…

Taco Cabana, Pollo Tropical making solid gains

March 14, 2013

Less than a year since its spin-off from Carrols Restaurant Group Inc., Fiesta Restaurant Group is celebrating record gains as one of the fastest-growing…

Survey: Restaurant operators' priority is improving guest satisfaction

March 13, 2013

A new survey titled "Strategies for Workforce Management in Dining," commissioned by Kronos Incorporated and conducted by Gatepoint Research, a subsidiary of…

Zaxby's renews agreement with Coca-Cola

March 13, 2013

Zaxby's has renewed its 2006 multiyear beverage agreement with The Coca-Cola Company, which means the restaurant will continue to offer Coke products in its…

Updated: NYC soda ban tossed by judge; city plans appeal

Opponents called proposal a "publicity stunt;" Mayor Bloomberg vows an appeal.

Conference to explore health care impacts, menu trends

March 12, 2013

UCLA Extension's 17th Annual Restaurant Industry Conference is scheduled for April 3 on the UCLA Campus at Covel Commons in Los Angeles. The event will explore…

LYFE Kitchen plants seeds to grow nationally

March 11, 2013

LYFE Kitchen held a grand opening celebration March 8 for its second unit, located in Culver City, Calif. During the event, CEO Mike Roberts announced the…

Locu, Automattic bring real-time menus to WordPress.com sites

March 8, 2013

Locu, provider of a menu dashboard for local merchants, has partnered with Automattic's WordPress.com web publishing platform to simplify menu uploads on…

Costa Vida CEO predicts 900% growth by 2016

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

CEO Sean Collins chatted with FastCasual.com about why he bought the chain, how he and his team have succeeded in growing it and his plans to have 500 units…

Cowboy Chicken celebrates 30 years of serving enchiladas

March 8, 2013

Cowboy Chicken, a seven-unit Dallas-based, wood-fire rotisserie chicken brand, is celebrating 30 years of serving its Chicken Enchiladas, stuffed with…

Snagajob hourly employment network names new CEO

March 7, 2013

Snagajob, an hourly employment network for job seekers and employers, has named Peter Harrison as its new CEO, succeeding founder Shawn Boyer.