Smoothie King sees solid growth despite pandemic

January 8, 2021

In a year that was a struggle for most restaurant brands, Smoothie King managed to grow, opening 263 stores globally, including 71 in the United States…

Flame Broiler debuts online ordering, redesigns serving ware

January 7, 2021

Korean fast casual Flame Broiler now offers customers online ordering and has been busy redesigning both serving bowls and updating its kimchi offering.

Capriotti's, Wing Zone execs give us the why behind the merger

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

January 5, 2021

Las Vegas-based Capriotti's Sandwich Shop has acquired Wing Zone, a fast casual brand based in Atlanta.

CFS Brands acquires AyrKing

January 4, 2021

Oklahoma City-based CFS Brands has completed the acquisition of AyrKing, a food preparation equipment company. Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Louisville…

Pepsi generating $100M in sales for Black-owned restaurants

January 4, 2021

In hopes of raising at least $100 million in sales for Black-owned restaurants over the next five years, PepsiCo has launched Dig In, a multi-year platform…

Investing in change keeps Taziki's in business

December 30, 2020

After an exceedingly difficult year for restaurants across the country, Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe is poised for growth thanks to investments in tech…

Slim Chickens inks deals for 150 locations in 2020

December 30, 2020

Slim Chickens, which now has 116 locations, spent 2020 inking multi-unit franchise agreements to eventually add 150 units to its portfolio.

Robotic coffee service machine replaces baristas

December 30, 2020

Patrons at Crown Coffee, a coffee bar in downtown Singapore, can now place orders and be served by an autonomous robot barista named Ella, according to a press…

Chipotle not requiring employee COVID-19 vaccinations

December 28, 2020

Although Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol was strongly encouraging employees to be get COVID-19 vaccinations, it won't be a requirement.

FastCasual now accepting nominations for Excellence in Food Safety award

December 23, 2020

As part of the 2021 FastCasual Top 100 Movers & Shakers list, FastCasual and Steritech, a provider of food safety assessments, will honor one brand with…

Rubio's exiting from bankruptcy

December 23, 2020

Rubio's Coastal Grill will exit from Chapter 11 by year's with its debt reduced by more than $35 million, now that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District…

Ziggi's franchise fulfills Colorado native's longtime dream

December 22, 2020

Taffy Nichols, of Erie, Colorado is fulfilling her longtime dream to run her own franchise.

Saladworks acquires Garbanzo

December 22, 2020

WOWorks, parent company of Saladworks, has acquired Centennial, Colorado-based Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh as well as Frutta Bowls, a fast casual concept…

Middleby acquires China-based United Foodservice Equipment Group

December 22, 2020

The Middleby Corp. has acquired Zhuhai Guangdong China based United Foodservice Equipment Group, a design, manufacture and supply of counter top commercial…

Consumers splurging on catered meals this holiday season

December 21, 2020

The 2020 holiday season may not offer the same gatherings, parties and hoopla of years' past, but diners are making sure it is still filled with amazing food…

Toast donating $35M to restaurant recovery

December 17, 2020

Toast POS, a restaurant management platform, is donating $35 million worth of free services and funding as part of a winter restaurant relief plan to support…

Luckin Coffee paying $180M to settle fraud allegations

December 16, 2020

China-based Luckin Coffee, which was once a major Starbucks competitor and a pioneer in self-service coffee, must pay a $180 million penalty after the U.S.

BurgerFi's IPO is a done deal

December 16, 2020

Opes Acquisition Corp.'s stockholders voted this week to approve the $100 million purchase of BurgerFi International, which was first announced in June.

Old Chicago's parent company opening 175 virtual locations

December 16, 2020

Nashville, Tennessee-based SPB Hospitality has launched its first virtual concept, Twisted Tenders, across 175 locations in 33 states, and a news release said…

By Chloe blames pandemic for bankruptcy filing

December 15, 2020

By Chloe, a plant-based chain with 14 locations in the U.S., has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in hopes of staying afloat amid COVID-19, according…