Coolgreens VP talks about brand's growth beyond its Central US borders in 2019

Oklahoma-based Coolgreen's occupies the "hot seat" as today's featured interview subject, via its VP of Operations Todd Madlener, while Networld Media Group VP…

How transparency, technology help B.Good control supply chain

Joe Cloud, the director of Supply Chain at B.Good, weighs in on the importance of transparency.

Plant-based foodservice shipments skyrocketed in 2018

January 23, 2019

Need proof plant-based proteins are definitely a restaurant 'thing' these days? Here's some from NPD Group which said the cases of plant-based protein from…

bellagreen attains plastic footprint reduction goal

January 18, 2019

Last year bellagreen pledged to reduce its plastic footprint by 50 percent come March 2020. The Texas-based fast casual has achieved its goal 14 months early…

Taking a chopped salad QSR on the road: Chop Stop CEO talks brand expansion

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Can a meat-and-potatoes guy’s chopped salad QSR survive outside of Southern California? Podcast spotlight interviewee Mark Kulkis is convinced of that fact as…

Just Salad appoints chief sustainability officer

January 11, 2019

New York City-based Just Salad has appointed Janani Lee as its first chief sustainability officer. "Hiring a chief sustainability officer is a huge milestone…

20 Fast Casual Brands to Watch in 2019

In the first edition of this report, FastCasual reveals 20 of the year’s most newsworthy fast casual concepts and discusses why they not only have the…

Just Salad taps Gotham Greens as romaine supplier

November 30, 2018

Just Salad is partnering with Gotham Greens for its supply of greenhouse-grown romaine.

Moe's Southwest Grill taps design contestants to create taco to-go packaging

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Two designers take on the challenge of creating a taco take-out meal kit for Moe's that can prevent in-transit messes.

How brands can avoid cannibalization in driving growth

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

How to drive growth is top of mind for brands but in the quest to grow brands can often ignite a cannibalism strategy, something no partner or franchisor…

What to know if your brand wants to dump styrofoam

Christina Donahue, president of Dining Alliance, offers up tips and advice to fast casuals interested in tossing styrofoam for more eco-friendly containers and…

Smart companies know: It pays to join the vegan revolution

Tracy Reiman, executive vice president, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, says restaurants should ask themselves this question: Will they join the…

CoreLife, Asian Box, Flatbread Grill talk sustaining sustainability, despite obstacles

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Three brands take on the challenges and rewards of one very hot restaurant topic: sustainable operations.

Survey: Restaurant diners will pay more for sustainable packaging

October 15, 2018

More than half of restaurant customers (55 percent) are willing to pay more for fast food products packaged in sustainable materials, with 35 percent stating…

Why fast casuals should ditch plastic straws

Non-biodegradable plastic is everywhere and that's a big problem that has the restaurant sector abuzz with how to transition out of their disposable plastics.

New England restaurants have access to onsite farm-to-table service

September 12, 2018

Restaurants in New England can now have their own farms thanks to Freight Farms' on-site vertical farming service — Grown, a news release said.

Achieving chain transparency, farm-to-table in fast casual

by Katy Jones — VP of Marketing, FoodLogiQ

Not only are consumers thrilled to have same-day harvests on their plates, they are increasingly drawn to brands that demonstrate sustainability and supply…

Proper Food to open NYC location

September 7, 2018

Proper Food, founded in 2013 in San Francisco, will open its first New York City location later this month, according to a press release. 

Luna Grill adds executive chef

August 27, 2018

Luna Grill has hired Ron Oliver, a cookbook author and former chef at Marine Room in La Jolla, California, as executive chef, according to a press release. 

Smoothie King celebrates 1000th store

August 24, 2018

Smoothie King opened its 1,000th store  Thursday, in Richardson, Texas, according to a press release.