Chicken Salad Chick pivots to 'Quick Chick' operations model

April 16, 2020

Chicken Salad Chick has quickly adapted operations to adhere to mandates across the nation suspending restaurant dine-in services by introducing online…

Lyft pilots delivery service for food, health supplies amid COVID-19 outbreak

April 16, 2020

Lyft is getting into the food and supply delivery business. Its latest pilot program — Essential Deliveries — allows drivers at the ride-sharing service to…

Potbelly hires former Panera exec as CFO

April 14, 2020

Potbelly Corporation has hired Steven W. Cirulis as SVP, CFO and chief strategy officer. Cirulis, who has been with Potbelly since December 2019 in a strategic…

Paul Damico leaves Naf Naf Grill to oversee Global Franchise Group

April 13, 2020

Paul Damico has left Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill to take on the CEO role at Global Franchise Group, a brand management company and franchisor of Great…

Stacey Kane joins King Street as CMO

April 9, 2020

King Street Consultants has tapped Stacey Kane as CMO for its "fractional C-Suite" consulting firm. With more than 25 years of restaurant and franchise…

El Pollo Loco rescinds annual outlook on 1.5% Q1 sales drop

April 9, 2020

The 480-unit mostly Western U.S. chain, El Pollo Loco, reported that its Q1 sales fell 1.5% for the period that ended March 25. Still, before the pandemic…

Starbucks on mission to close gender pay gap

March 31, 2020

Starbucks created and launched an infographic Monday showing that it was committed to 100 percent gender pay equity.

Former Wahlburgers CEO joins supply chain company

March 24, 2020

Rick Vanzura, former CEO of Wahlburgers, is now leading Freight Farms, a provider of containerized vertical farming with a network of more than 30…

Brown Bag Seafood paying employees for 'lost hours'

March 17, 2020

Brown Bag Seafood, a seven-unit chain based in Chicago, is ensuring that all of its employees take home paychecks over during the two-week shutdown of Illinois…

7shifts debuts 7tasks to track tasks, boost accountability

March 10, 2020

Restaurant software platform 7shifts is launching a platform called 7tasks that lets restaurant managers create and delegate task lists for workers that also…

Willy's Mexicana Grill launches take-home taco box

March 10, 2020

Willy's Mexicana Grill has a new way to make dining at home convenient for family and friends. The 31-unit chain has created a Taco Box, which costs $34.95 and…

Captian D's hires former PF Chang's exec

March 9, 2020

Captain D's has hired Brad Clark as chief supply chain officer to lead the purchasing, food safety and quality assurance team, supporting the company's ongoing…

The Halal Guys going for groceries

March 4, 2020

The Halal Guys, based in NYC, is hitting the grocery shelves through a partnership with CAA-GBG. The brand management platform will help the nearly 100-unit…

HMSHost taps former Jamba, Starbucks exec as COO

March 2, 2020

HMSHost, a restaurateur known for operating in airports and motorways, has appointed industry veteran Joe Thornton as EVP and COO. He will oversee HMSHost…

Barberitos delivers mobile app upgrade

March 2, 2020

Barberitos, a fast casual restaurant featuring southwestern-style burritos, has launched its updated mobile app, which includes a new design for the location…

Farmer Boys changing name to Farmer Girls?

February 25, 2020

Farmer Boys, a Southern California-based fast casual concept known for its burgers, is celebrating Women's History Month throughout March by changing its name…

Franchisors enjoy more protection under final joint-employee ruling

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 25, 2020

Suing parent companies whose franchisees are involved in labor law violations just got harder. The National Labor Relations Board Tuesday reversed the Obama…

Cosi files for bankruptcy protection — again

February 25, 2020

Cosi Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and closed 30 stores. It's the second bankruptcy filing since 2016 for the Boston-based fast casual…

WorkJam buys staffing platform Forge

February 19, 2020

Digital workplace solutions provider WorkJam is acquiring Forge, an on-demand staffing platform, according to a press release. The move will help WorkJam…

I Heart Mac & Cheese launches mobile app

February 18, 2020

I Heart Mac & Cheese, a fast casual concept specializing in customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese bowls and grilled cheese sandwiches, has…