Top Fast Casual News

Newk’s Eatery to Open in Magee, Mississippi

For a franchisee, there’s nothing better than opening a location in your hometown – unless it’s with your son as a partner. That’s what Magee, Miss. native Skip Russell of R&R Restaurants of Magee, Inc. will accomplish with his son, Kyle Russell, with the opening of the newest Newk’s Eatery on Monday, Dec. 4. Russell, […]

Crumbl Undergoes Major Rebrand

Crumbl, the Utah-based gourmet cookie franchise founded in 2017 by Jason McGowan and Sawyer Hemsley, announces a brand refresh. The new take on the iconic pink cookie company marks six years of growth from a local cookie shop to a franchise with over 950 locations across the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada.  In a strategic […]

Mo’ Bettahs to Open Second Las Vegas-Based Restaurant

For fans of authentic Hawaiian island barbeque, Las Vegas is about to be twice as nice. On Friday, Dec. 1, Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food will open the doors at its second Las Vegas location.  Mo’ Bettahs will be serving up an authentic Hawaiian experience at 4390 West Cactus Avenue in the southwest Las Vegas valley, near […]

Golden Chick Opens Two New Stores in Texas

Texas-based Golden Chick has added two new additions to its rapidly expanding portfolio this week with two openings in Fort Worth and Houston. The chicken concept, known for its crisp, golden chicken offerings and freshly baked yeast rolls, is making good on its promises of historic growth as 2023 comes to a close. The two new restaurant […]

Slim Chickens Opens New Store in Maricopa, Arizona

Slim Chickens announced its new restaurant opening at 41740 W Maricopa-Casa Grande Hwy, Maricopa, AZ 85138. Spearheaded by reputable multi-unit operating group, AZ Slims Restaurants, this is their first Slim Chickens location. The better-chicken brand has opened more than 250 locations across the United States and the United Kingdom. The brand is known and loved […]

Noodles & Company Recaps Achievements in 2023

Noodles & Company, the national fast-casual chain known for its globally inspired noodle bowls, best-in-class service, and values-centric culture, entered new franchise markets and achieved high accolades in 2023 with honors from top publications including Forbes and Denver Business Journal. Noodles’ franchise growth and award achievements demonstrate how the franchise continues to be an enticing opportunity for […]

Duck Donuts Launches its First Jelly Donut

Duck Donuts, known for serving Warm, Delicious and Made-to-Order donuts, announced the launch of a highly anticipated topping – classic jelly. This joyous season, deck any donut with the all new, limited-time raspberry jelly topping or enjoy it in the seasonal featured Holiday Assortment. “We are delighted to officially offer jelly, the highly requested and […]

Honeygrow Opens in Alexandria, Virginia

honeygrow, a Philadelphia-based fast-casual restaurant known for wholesome, simple, and made-to-order stir-frys, salads, and honeybars, opened on Monday, November 27, 2023, in the Mount Vernon Plaza located at 7698 Richmond Highway in Alexandria, VA. The restaurant will feed hungry shoppers at national retailers like Old Navy, TJ Maxx, DSW, or Five Below, as well as […]

Focus Brands Builds Nontraditional Footprint

Focus Brands, the parent company of Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, McAlister’s Deli, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and Schlotzsky’s, is capitalizing on franchise growth in the nontraditional sector, now boasting more than 2,000 nontraditional units across the country. Building on this momentum are two newly signed agreements in the Las Vegas market. “Focus Brands has always […]

Krak Boba Announces Coffee and Hot Drinks Menu

Krak Boba, the go-to destination for an array of delightful bubble tea beverages, announces the launch of its much-anticipated coffee and hot drinks menu. With creative and unique offerings, Krak Boba’s new menu additions aim to elevate the beverage experience, and further expand the already beloved range of drinks as the perfect complement to their […]

Slim Chickens Announces Holiday Mac & Cheese Bowls

Earlier this year, Slim Chickens gave in to consumer demand, making its cheesy, creamy, 100% all natural chicken-tender-topped Mac Bowls a permanent menu item rather than a limited time offer. Now, the Tender Mac Bowl and Buffalo Tender Mac Bowl are entering the spotlight as the perfect holiday season comfort meals.  “Slim Chickens’ Mac Bowls […]

Teriyaki Madness to Open in Hamden, Connecticut

This December, Teriyaki Madness, the Seattle-style Teriyaki Shop franchise with locations all over the country, is officially bringing its beloved menu to the people of Connecticut. Schanke and Poynton are set to open the newest Teriyaki Madness shop at 2100 Dixwell Ave. Hamden, CT 06514 on December 15th.  Schanke and Poynton’s Teriyaki Shop will offer […]

Dirty Dough Announces Holiday Cookie Flavors

Dirty Dough has an incredible array of delicious, new, multi-layered stuff holiday cookies rolling out weekly across the nation for the entire month of December. Peppermint Fudge Brownie: Rich fudgy chocolate dough mixed with semi-sweet chocolate chips and stuffed with gooey fudge. Topped with white icing and crushed candy cane. Berry Merry Bliss: A chewy oatmeal cookie […]

gusto! Introduces Seasonal Holiday Menu, with Focus on To-Go

Atlanta-born brand gusto! announced the launch of its seasonal holiday menu with several take-home items including the Pecan Rosemary Chicken Salad, Apple Crisp Caramel Cookie and Spiced Apple Cider. The holiday menu will be available starting Dec. 5 at all 12 gusto! locations across the metro Atlanta area. “We’re taking a different approach this year…we […]

Which Wich Debuts New Menu with 50-Plus Sandwich Options

Which Wich Superior Sandwiches introduced its new menu – dubbed “Bag to the Future” – featuring over 50 sandwich options and an array of 50+ unique toppings, offering customers the ability to create their own one-of-a-kind sandwich creation. The brand is going back to its “custom sandwich shop” roots with sandwiches ranging from top-quality deli […]

Pepper Lunch Announces Deal with Tractor Beverage Company

Pepper Lunch, the innovative fast-casual dining concept with a global presence of over 500 locations across 15 countries, is taking its menu to new heights through a strategic collaboration with Tractor Beverage Company, the first and only Certified Organic, Non-GMO beverage company dedicated to food service. The partnership, announced today, supports Pepper Lunch’s continued focus on […]

James Vitrano and Derek Gonzalez Join Forces to Launch ‘Frozaritas’

James Vitrano, former CEO of Fat Tuesday, one of the world’s first and largest retailers of frozen specialty alcoholic beverages, and Derek Gonzalez, GOAT Hospitality Group’s founder and CEO, team up to expand a groundbreaking new beverage concept, Frozaritas. As Co-CEO Vitrano, alongside Gonzalez, is responsible for expanding and leading Frozaritas, as well as driving […]