Operations News & Media
Noodles CEO leaves 3-step turnaround plan with successor
by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
As part of the broader turnaround, the company is closing up to 32 underperforming restaurants by year's end and 12 to 17 in 2026.
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GoTo Foods partners with DoorDash for drone delivery service
August 13, 2025
GoTo Foods has partnered with DoorDash to provide drone delivery. The fast-mile delivery service, enabled by Wing, is currently live in three Texas markets…
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How Saroki's Crispy Chicken & Pizza pairs great food, service with mega pavilions
by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group
Saroki's Crispy Chicken & Pizza proves that gas station food can be great. Lead by brothers Todd and Curtis Saroki, the brand has 19 locations in mega gas…
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From Nigeria to DC: A founder's quest to take African food mainstream
by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
Nigerian-native Ada Osakwe, an angel investor and former banker, is bringing her African fast casual concept, Nuli, to Washington, D.C.
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Some restaurant sales sizzle, others fizzle
August 12, 2025
Summer sales have been hot and cold for U.S. restaurants this summer, with some areas seeing significant growth while others struggled, according to Toast's…
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Thriving through uncertainty: The power of resilience
by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker
Let's be honest — uncertainty is here to stay. From industry shake-ups to disruptive tech, shifting markets, and yes, even global crises, unpredictability is…
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1st co-branded Round Table Pizza, Fatburger opens in California
August 11, 2025
FAT Brands Inc., parent company of 18 restaurant concepts, has opened its first co-branded Fatburger and Round Table Pizza in Rancho Cordova, California…
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How AI turning labor from cost center into growth driver for QSRs
by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group
In a free webinar titled "Labor Forecasting 2.0: Predicting Future Demand and Staffing for Efficient Growth with AI" viewers will learn how AI is powering…
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How Fast Fresh Brands CEO is scaling healthy eating
Cody Pepper, founder of Fast Fresh Brands, which owns Bee Healthy Cafe and Nature's Table, said growth accelerated when he partnered with DIA Equity Partners…
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Dave & Buster's pushing international expansion
August 11, 2025
Dave & Buster's is expanding its global footprint with the opening of its second location in India. The 22,000-square-foot entertainment venue is located…
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7 Signs Your Restaurant POS Has Reached End-of-Life—And What to Do About It
Is your restaurant POS software outdated? Discover the signs your restaurant POS system is due for replacement—and what to do about it.
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Speaker Spotlight: Filippo Fiori, Due Cucini Italiana head chef, CEO
by Bradley Cooper — Editor, ATM Marketplace & Food Truck Operator
From Italy to China to the U.S., Filippo Fiori has gained a lot of wisdom from his travels, which he plans to share at the Fast Casual Executive Summit.
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Taco Bell Joins 5610 Interstate Food Co. to Continue Growth in Austin
Taco Bell® franchisee Tacala Companies has officially joined 5610 Interstate Food Co., bringing Taco Bell to Austin residents through a new ghost kitchen…
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Scaling fast casual: Cava's depth vs. Sweetgreen's breadth in Q2 2025
by Shira Petrack — Content Manager, Placer.ai
Cava's overall visits grew year-over-year n Q2 '25 while average visits per location remained relatively stable (-1.0%). Sweetgreen also experienced overall…
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Naya lands capital to accelerate growth
August 6, 2025
Naya, specializing in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, is poised for national expansion after a major financial transaction from TriSpan. The private…
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Innovate, don't react: 12 reasons your competitors are heading to Fast Casual Executive Summit
by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
Your competition will be there; will you?
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Salad Station reports record growth, $1M sales milestone
August 6, 2025
Salad Station reported record growth and a sales milestone for 2024, reporting a 6.5% increase in average gross revenue among its top-performing locations and…
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How Slutty Vegan Founder turned $20M in debt into a $100M comeback
by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners
In this episode of "Founderology – Built to Breakthrough," Pinky Cole Hayes shares her “PhD. lessons” and mindset that fueled her comeback.
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Portillo's sees net income rise despite traffic dip
August 5, 2025
Portillo's Inc. reported a 17.7% increase in net income for Q2 despite facing a tough traffic environment, Michael Osanloo, president and CEO, said in a…
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