Operations News & Media

Fuku partners with Kitchen United

December 16, 2021

David Chang's Fuku and ghost kitchen industry leader Kitchen United have announced a national partnership, kicking off with Fuku's new headquarters at Kitchen…

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Panera taps Radar to boost digital ordering

December 15, 2021

Radar, a geofencing platform, will help fast casual chain Panera Bread accelerate the digital transformation of Panera's next-generation cafe design to help…

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Velvet Taco launches first loyalty program

December 15, 2021

Velvet Taco, a fast casual concept feature globally inspired recipes and the freshest ingredients, has partnered with Thanx, a guest engagement platform for…

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Lyft teams with Olo on restaurant delivery

December 15, 2021

Ride share company Lyft is teaming up with Olo, and its on-demand commerce platform Dispatch, to deliver digital orders for Olo's restaurant network brands.

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Ziggy's Coffee opens new headquarters

December 14, 2021

Ziggi's Coffee, a specialty coffee shop and drive-thru franchise serving handcrafted drinks, locally-made breakfast, and lunch and snack options, has opened a…

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Boston Starbucks workers aim to unionize

December 14, 2021

Workers at two Boston-based Starbucks stores filed to unionize Monday just one week after fellow employees in Buffalo unionized the first store in the chain.

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Torchy's Tacos opens 1st Virginia location

December 14, 2021

Torchy's Tacos will open tomorrow in Charlottesville, Virginia. The store will be located at 1951 Swanson Drive and marks Torchy's first Virginia location and…

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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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