340 stories · last 30 days by relevance
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers promoted Rick Petralia to executive chef and VP of training and innovation.
Chipotle opened its first location in Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, marking the chain's entry into the Gulf market.
Chicken Salad Chick is expanding its presence in North Carolina.
Chicken Salad Chick is launching two new fall-themed menu items, including a spicy Nashville Hottie chicken salad variant, alongside returning favorites starting August 31.
A Sweetgreen customer spent 25 days eating exclusively at the chain for over $900, and the company is now recruiting 30 more people for a 30-day challenge—signaling a bet on user-generated content to
Mr. Pickle's Sandwich Shop added a pulled pork sandwich called the Pit Boss to its menu across all locations, combining barbecue sauce, coleslaw, and pickle chips on brioche.
Chipotle partnered with 16-year-old creator Salish Matter to develop a custom Kid's Meal order, marking the brand's first creator-designed children's menu item and signaling an effort to reach Gen Alp
Chipotle is running a School Spirit BOGO promotion and a three-week "Chipotle Sundays" dinner offer during back-to-school season, signaling a focus on value-driven promotions to capture student and fa
Baker Katz has secured five leases for Einstein Bros locations totaling over 9,500 square feet, signaling continued expansion momentum in the Houston market.
Beyond Juicery + Eatery's Senior Director of Brand and Product Innovation Elliott Disner, who joined the brand nearly two decades ago, is transitioning to franchise owner and plans to open his first l
SAJJ Mediterranean is expanding its Bay Area presence following a 10% year-to-date sales increase, signaling confidence in the fast-casual Mediterranean segment's local market appeal as the chain prep
Chicken Salad Chick has been ranked as a top emerging restaurant chain while expanding its presence in Kentucky.
Chipotle is running a one-day digital promotion offering free double protein on August 27, 2026, signaling continued reliance on app-driven discounts to drive traffic during peak promotional periods.
Jersey Mike's veterans are joining fast-casual chain Dog Haus, which is targeting 300 locations; the move suggests experienced franchise operators see growth potential in the hot dog segment.
Teriyaki Madness evaluates real estate sites before finalizing franchise deals, a process that signals attention to unit-level economics and site selection as a retention lever.
Angry Chickz launched a new loyalty program and mobile app to drive repeat visits and customer engagement.
A fast-casual chicken chain is expanding into the market with a development agreement for 25 new locations in New York.
Culver's has partnered with Armada to overhaul its supply chain as part of a broader expansion strategy.
Booking and CAVA show divergent financial profiles: Booking operates at a larger revenue scale while CAVA has demonstrated faster growth over recent quarters.
Moe's Southwest Grill is closing additional locations following a franchise bankruptcy, signaling ongoing financial stress in the fast-casual sector.
A cyclospora outbreak has prompted Saladworks to shift its marketing strategy, signaling how foodborne illness concerns can rapidly reshape consumer-facing messaging in the salad category.
Cava is characterized as a rising star in fast-casual dining.
Zao Asian Grill secured a $12.5 million debt facility with investment from Savory Fund, signaling confidence in the brand's expansion potential within the competitive Asian dining segment.
Fast-casual chains are launching pumpkin offerings earlier in the year, signaling intensifying competition to capture fall-season consumer spending.
A founder's fourth restaurant prototype with a drive-thru tests a regional expansion model, but the single-unit focus and pre-launch timing limit immediate relevance to chain operators.
Dillas Quesadillas is running loyalty-program promotions tied to National Queso Day and National Quesadilla Day across its 11 Texas and Louisiana locations.
Culver's plans to open 59 new locations across 20 states this year, signaling continued expansion in its franchise growth strategy.
Smoothie King has added food items to its menu, and the company reports positive results from this expansion.
CAVA CEO on food safety standards — timely reinforcement of compliance rigor as chain scales and operator liability remains top-of-mind.
Craveworthy Brands' Taïm locations in New York were closed due to unpaid taxes, signaling potential cash-flow or compliance challenges for the fast-casual chain.
Independent pop-cuisine concept tests food-hall residency format with chef collaborations — experimental format with no clear relevance to multi-location chain operating models.
Qdoba is running a September promotion called 'Diptember' that showcases its lineup of dips, salsas, and sauces, including a newly launched queso.
Stonefire Grill's CEO attributes the fast-casual chain's growth to hands-on leadership, employee focus, and guest feedback integration—signaling that operator-level involvement in culture and feedback
Sweetgreen is expanding its drive-thru prototype model to Virginia, signaling the chain's broader push to test new formats for off-premise convenience.
Your Pie, a fast-casual pizza pioneer, has shifted its business model post-pandemic, with off-premises orders growing from roughly 10% of sales before 2020 to a higher share today, suggesting the chai
Salad and Go's decline is examined in a case study on overexpansion, signaling that rapid scaling without operational maturity may constrain unit-level economics in fast-casual segments.
Sweetgreen is rolling out its Fall Harvest menu nationwide, featuring returning and new seasonal items including a Maple Glazed Salmon plate and Roasted Bacon Brussels side.
Huey Magoo's is expanding into Pennsylvania through a three-unit franchise deal with local operators, marking the brand's first entry into the state.
The parent company of Salt and Lime has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the third time in 2026.
Wagamama is expanding its India operations through an enlarged joint venture with Charcoal Concepts.
Another Broken Egg Cafe opened six new locations since late May, with a seventh planned for August 31 in Naples, Florida, signaling continued franchisee-driven expansion in the daytime dining segment.
Minnie Bird, a three-unit fast-casual chicken concept founded by Sean Thomas (grandson of Dave Thomas), launched in Chicago two years ago and differentiates through premium chicken, dirty sodas, and c
A Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain plans to open 75 new locations.
Brooklyn Water Bagel has opened its first location on a college campus at Nova Southeastern University.
Chipotle is running back-to-school promotions including a BOGO deal and free entree offers on Sundays, signaling an effort to capture seasonal traffic and drive repeat visits during a traditionally hi
Slim Chickens opened four restaurants across four states in a single week, signaling accelerated franchise expansion in the better-chicken segment.
HB Protein Smoothies appointed Tyler Doolittle to lead real estate and expansion efforts.
la Madeleine introduced a $9.99 weekday breakfast deal featuring Classic French Toast, signaling an effort to drive weekday traffic during a traditionally slower daypart for casual dining.
Chipotle partnered with YouTuber Salish Matter, signaling the chain's investment in reaching Gen Alpha audiences through creator collaborations.
