Operations News & Media

Philadelphia to require COVID vaccine for indoor dining

December 14, 2021

Philadelphia is the latest city to require proof of vaccination inside dining establishments. Diners will have to show their vaccination card and a government…

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Kum & Go transforming into fast casual brand?

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Kum & Go has created a line of freshly prepared sandwiches, grain bowls, pizzas and blended beverages worthy of any fast casual brand, according to Jac…

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Luckin Coffee improves Q3 2021 sales, earnings

December 13, 2021

Luckin Coffee, a pioneer in coffee vending and a competitor to Starbucks in China which recently entered into a restructuring support agreement with…

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Fazoli’s, FAT Brands CEOs keynoting RFIS 2022

December 9, 2021

Fazoli's and FAT Brands made headlines last month when their CEOs Carl Howard and Andy Widerhorn, respectively, announced that FAT Brands was acquiring the…

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Americans won't return to pre-pandemic dining habits

December 9, 2021

Almost two-thirds (64%) of consumers do not plan to return to their pre-pandemic habits of dining in restaurants within the next six months, according to a…

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Roll-Em-Up Taquitos on a franchising fast track

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Roll-Em-Up Taquitos has three stores open, but 11 deals for 80 units in the works. With regional expansion plans, the company might just be coming to a center…

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Woworks, Noodles & Co join Pathways to Black Franchise Ownership

December 7, 2021

Noodles & Co and WOWorks are the first restaurant franchise companies to adopt the Pathways to Black Franchise Ownership program.

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Mici Handcrafted Italian opens in Colorado Springs

December 7, 2021

Mici Handcrafted Italian has opened its seventh store with a location in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The store is in the King Soopers center in Briargate…

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Luckin Coffee investor urges shareholders to oppose other investor’s plan

December 3, 2021

A Luckin Coffee investor has asked shareholders and convertible bondholders to oppose a plan giving Centurium Capital, another investor, control of the…

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Chopt owner invests in fast casual rice bowl concept

December 3, 2021

James Beard Award-winning chef, TV personality and author JJ Johnson has received Series A funding for Fieldtrip, his NYC-based rice bowl concept, from…

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Lunchtime diners reveal what inspires them to order takeout, delivery

by Penni Tsavaris — Brand Communications Manager, Tork, an Essity brand

A research study uncovers what customers consider before choosing a lunch destination.

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Holiday fraud activity up 115% in restaurant industry

December 3, 2021

Fraud is up this holiday season, according to research from Sift, a fraud-prevention firm.

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Design, Build and Manage: Scale your business and increase your profitability

Until recently, the franchise industry has been lagging in understanding how IT can help them improve their bottom line.

Presented by FastCasual.com

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Philly's Best opening ghost kitchen

December 2, 2021

Philly's Best is launching its first ghost kitchen in Oakland, California, at the Oakland Food Hall under the direction of husband-and-wife team Bruce and…

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Original ChopShop's sales soar in Q3

November 30, 2021

Original ChopShop's same-store sales were up 37% for the third quarter over 2019 and its average unit volumes were trending above $2.5 million, said Original…

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Shake Shack making drive-thru debut in Minnesota

November 30, 2021

Shake Shack is opening its first drive-thru location Monday in Maple Grove, Minnesota.

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Canadian restaurant visits down; off-premise dining rising

November 30, 2021

Online and physical visits to Canadian restaurants and foodservice outlets were flat in the year ending Sept. 2021, compared to a year ago when traffic was…

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Chef Rick Bayless creates LTO for Smashburger

November 30, 2021

Chef Rick Bayless is behind Smashburger's latest limited-time offer — the Chorizo Cheeseburger.

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How Pollo Campero will triple US footprint in 5 years

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Luis Javier Rodas, Pollo Campero's managing director and COO, recently chatted with FastCasual about how he plans to transform the brand into one of the…

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Panera launches first 'next-generation' cafe

November 23, 2021

Panera has chosen Ballwin, Missouri, as the home of its first "next-generation" restaurant design. Featuring a modern dine-in experience around its fireplace…

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