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.

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…

Shake Shack's Q4 results inch past expectations

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, 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 — Editor, 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…

Billy D's Fried Chicken opens in Wake Forest

February 6, 2023

Chef William Dissen has opened a third North Carolina location of his farm-to-table restaurant brand, Billy D's Fried Chicken, at Wake Forest University in…

Muscle Maker crosses $200M revenue under new subsidiary

February 6, 2023

Three months after creating a subsidiary — Sadot LLC — Muscle Maker Inc. has crossed the $200 million revenue milestone. Sadot generated $58,517,750 in revenue…

China pulls down Starbucks earnings

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 3, 2023

Although Starbucks reported Thursday that Q1 same-store sales grew in the U.S. by 10%, China's lower-than-expected performance left the coffee giant 2 cents…

Restaurants expanding offerings to diversify revenue

February 2, 2023

Well over a half of U.S. restaurants, 87%, plan to expand non-core offerings, such as cooking classes and retail goods, in a quest to diversify revenue and…

Papa Gino's, D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches raise $204K for charities

January 31, 2023

Papa Gino's Pizzeria and its sister company, D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches, has donated $204,735.82 to local organizations through a number of campaigns…

Nominations open for FastCasual's 2023 Excellence in Food Safety awards

January 31, 2023

Nominations close Feb. 28. Wingstop was the winner of the 2022 Excellence in Food Safety award, and past winners have included Panda Express, Chipotle and…