Naf Naf Grill, investor group buy minority share

March 18, 2021

Chicago-based Naf Naf Grill and an investor group have acquired the entire minority ownership in the company previously held by affiliates of Roark Capital.

Luckin Coffee announces restructuring plan

March 18, 2021

China based Luckin Coffee Inc., a pioneer in self-service coffee machines in addition to being a coffee shop chain, has entered into a restructuring support…

Dillas Quesadillas launching operating partner program

March 17, 2021

Dillas Quesadillas, a North Texas-based restaurant featuring cooked-to-order quesadillas, has launched an operating partner program to help it enter new…

Olo tops $450M IPO

March 17, 2021

Olo Inc., a food-ordering software company, has raised $450 million in an initial public offering of its Class A common stock.

Torchy's testing ghost kitchen in Ohio

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

March 17, 2021

Torchy's Tacos has chosen Columbus, Ohio, as the home of its first ghost kitchen, opening this spring in partnership with CloudKitchens, a real estate company…

Taffer's Tavern adds food lockers for contactless carryout

March 16, 2021

Taffer's Tavern, a restaurant founded by Jon Taffer, the star of Paramount Network's "Bar Rescue," is providing contactless carry-out service via food lockers.

Juice It Up opens 2nd Santa Ana location

March 15, 2021

Juice It Up has opened its second Santa Ana, California, location. Featuring a new store design and owned by husband-and-wife duo, Burcin and Aycan Ekener, the…

Saladworks' owner acquires The Simple Greek by Marcus Lemonis

March 12, 2021

WOWorks, the parent company of Saladworks, has added a big name to its portfolio. The Simple Greek — a Mediterranean franchise founded in 2015, in Youngstown…

Buffalo Wild Wings, BetMGM launch sports betting experience

March 12, 2021

Sports fans now have access to a sports betting experience when via the BetMGM app available inside Buffalo Wild Wings sports bars in Colorado, New Jersey…

CORE using prepaid cards to disburse funding

March 12, 2021

In hopes of helping restaurant employees struggling to survive the coronavirus pandemic, the nonprofit, Children of Restaurant Employees, has been collecting…

Bad February weather proves stormy for restaurant transaction activity

March 11, 2021

Severe weather in many areas of the U.S. in February didn't do much to resuscitate restaurant customer transactions at major chains which were already…

Congress approves $1.9T stimulus bill

March 10, 2021

Congress on Wednesday approved President Biden's $1.9 trillion stimulus package by a vote of 220-211 to provide pandemic aid, one of the largest federal aid…

Cardlytics acquires Dosh

March 9, 2021

Cardlytics, a digital advertising platform, has acquired Dosh, a cash-back offers platform. Previously announced on March 1, the acquisition will combine the…

FastCasual reveals 2021's '20 Brands to Watch'

March 9, 2021

Being the new kid on the restaurant block is always scary, but few would argue that moving in during a global pandemic would be terrifying. After all, there…

Jinya Holdings slated for major growth in 2021

March 8, 2021

After a year of restaurants trying to eek out a living, Burbank, California-based Jinya Holdings Inc. has proven that its brands are well positioned for growth…

Wayback Burgers posts record sales during pandemic

March 8, 2021

Wayback Burgers posted solid growth in 2020 despite a global pandemic and is achieving record-setting numbers for 2021, according to company release.

FastCasual collecting operator insight for 2021 Dining Survey

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

March 5, 2021

FastCasual.com has teamed up with Dosh to find out how restaurants are faring in 2021 vs. 2020, and we want to hear from as many readers as possible. The poll…

Main Squeeze Juice Co. opening in Missouri

March 5, 2021

Main Squeeze Juice Co. is opening four locations in St. Louis, Missouri, this year as part of its national expansion efforts, according to a press release.

Freddy's sold to Thompson Street Capital Partners

March 4, 2021

Thompson Street Capital Partners, a private equity firm in St. Louis, has acquired Kansas-based Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. Terms of the…

Shake Shack testing plastic-free straws, cutlery

March 3, 2021

In an effort to reduce its carbon footprint, Shake Shack is testing cutlery and straws made from AirCarbon, which has no synthetic plastics, PLA or synthetic…