Panera Bread offering annual unlimited Sip Club membership

February 22, 2023

Panera Bread is offering an annual unlimited Sip Club membership for $119.99 per year, which offers a year's worth of unlimited beverages for the price of 1…

Former Perfect Pitch contestant lands $2.5M investment to fuel growth

February 21, 2023

Seattle-based Dué Cucina, a fast casual Italian brand that competed in the 2019 Perfect Pitch at the Fast Casual Executive Summit, has landed a $2.5 million…

Last call: FastCasual's Excellence in Food Safety nominations closing soon

February 21, 2023

Entries will be accepted until midnight ET on Feb. 28, 2023.

Famous Toastery president: '3 ways to reduce opening costs'

Mike Sebazco, president of Famous Toastery, outlines how strong vendor partnerships, a smart build-out model and purposeful incentives can cut costs for owners.

Experts explore NFTs, digital innovation, labor shortages, food insecurity needs

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Attendees will become mini experts in all-things NFT, digital innovation, fixing the labor shortages and meeting food insecurity needs. Speakers include Blaine…

Dickey's 'boosting' virtual concepts

February 16, 2023

Since launching Boost Virtual Concepts in July 2022, Dickey's Barbecue Pit is quickly expanding its virtual brands — Wing Boss, Trailer Birds and Big Deal…

Kura Sushi opening 44th, 45th US locations

February 16, 2023

Kura Sushi, a Japanese-based concept serving cuisine through a revolving sushi service model, opened last week in Edison, New Jersey, and will launch this…

Surviving and Thriving in the New Restaurant Normal

Despite recent challenges, many operators are doing more than just surviving; they’re finding ways to thrive. To find out how, the team at FastCasual.com spoke…

Presented by FastCasual.com

Shake Shack's Q4 results inch past expectations

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

February 16, 2023

Shake Shack reported Wednesday that it barely beat analysts' estimates for Q4, ending Dec. 28, 2022. Revenue was $238.5 million, inching past the $238.…

Chicken Salad Chick, Cava, Tazikis score high in Merchant Centric report

February 15, 2023

Cava, Chicken Salad Chick, Tazikis, Skyline Chili and Cheba Hut all scored high for price, value and loyalty, winning more praise than complaints in a Merchant…

Restaurant Brands International enjoys strong Q4

February 15, 2023

Restaurant Brands International Inc. ended its 2022 fiscal year with a robust Q4 as systemwide sales increased nearly 12%, and over 13% for 2022 while…

Chipotle launches bowl concept in Santa Monica

February 15, 2023

Chipotle Mexican Grill is opening a restaurant called Farmesa, at the Kitchen United Mix space at 1315 3rd St., in Santa Monica, California.

How consistency, technology affects restaurant branding

February 13, 2023

Branding is critical to a restaurant company, but how much is too much? How does a brand create clear branding guidelines and incorporate a strong culture?

Big Chicken going to 'infinity and beyond'

February 9, 2023

Shaquille O'Neal-Owned Big Chicken is planning to be the first restaurant in space, and is teaming up with Blue Origin, founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos, to feed…

Dolly Llama adding 4 locations in Q1

February 9, 2023

The Dolly Llama, a Los Angeles-based waffle and artisanal ice cream brand, is planning substantial growth within the next two months, opening its first New…

Bodega Taqueria y Tequila launching national expansion

February 9, 2023

Bodega Taqueria y Tequila — South Florida's fast casual taco joint by day and speakeasy lounge by night — is kicking off a national expansion plan for its…

Chipotle misses the mark in Q4 2022

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

February 8, 2023

Despite falling short of revenue, earnings per share and same-store sales expectations for Q4, ending Dec. 31, 2022, Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol told investors…

Unlocking Memorable Restaurant Experiences by Enhancing Brand Consistency

Customers expect standardized experiences and when those expectations are not met, it can cause confusion, misinterpretation of company values, loss of trust…

Plant-based ingredients grow on pizza market

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

The NPD Group forecasts dairy and meat alternatives to grow through 2024 driven almost entirely by Millennials and Gen Zs. Not only are they looking for…

How Pollo Campero plans to dominate in US

Blas Escarcega, director of Franchise Development of Pollo Campero, discusses how the 400-unit chain born in Guatemala, plans to thrive in the U.S.