Pie Five Pizza Co., a subsidiary of Pizza Inn Holdings, announced that it has awarded franchise rights to two veteran restaurant groups that will introduce the rapidly growing brand to three new states.  Big Cheese, LLC, owned by Jim Stevens, is contracted to open seven restaurants in Wichita, Kansas, and Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Simmonds Restaurant Management […]

EVOS is opening its newest location in Carrollwood in Tampa, Florida. The fast-casual restaurant offers simple, natural American favorites with an earth-friendly attitude and “greater good” conscience. EVOS grand-opening festivities begin on Tuesday, July 16, with a charity event dedicated to the neighborhood Bob Sierra Family YMCA. The restaurant will open its doors from 5 to […]

Hosted in New York City for the second year in a row, the 2013 International Franchise Expo (IFE) marks the biggest in the event’s 22-year history. From June 20 to 22, nearly 20,000 visitors from more than 90 countries explored 413 franchise exhibitors at the Javits Center – from well-established name brands to emerging, fast-growing […]

In the fast-evolving quick-serve world, most brands are routinely forced to decide whether to stick with the status quo or throw caution to the wind with new development. Boston Market recently chose the latter option when the fast-casual concept decided to step out of its chicken comfort zone and add ribs to the menuboard. “We […]

Two years ago, fast-casual Asian concept Teriyaki Madness set a goal to open 25 units by 2014. But nearly a year ahead of schedule, the brand has already “blown that forecast out of the water,” says cofounder and CEO Rod Arreola. Thanks to an explosion of grow over the last three months—including franchise agreements for […]

Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, a fast-casual, build-your-own pizza brand, announced that two elite-level multiunit franchise groups have signed agreements to develop eight stores in Detroit and Grand Rapids, Michigan; seven stores in Columbus, Ohio; six stores in Indianapolis; and 10 stores in the East Bay and South Bay regions of Northern California. These most recent franchise […]

For people who are tired of contrived, cookie-cutter chains that serve tasteless, soulless, average food, Chronic Tacos is the fast-casual concept that offers the taste of Mexican cuisine in a fun, laid back atmosphere.   Chronic Tacos was founded in 2001 by Randy Wyner and Dan Biello. The pair had an idea that fast, fresh, […]

Big Smoke Burger, Toronto’s dominant better-burger brand, is penetrating the U.S. markets, having already signed multiunit deals for major metro areas such as New York City, Chicago, Detroit, and Denver. Cameron Tune of JCT Management Company, LLC, the franchisee for the Denver/Boulder metro areas, recently signed a five-unit deal in which he plans to open […]

McAlister’s Deli is pleased to announce the grand reopening celebration for their newest restaurant location in Carmel, Indiana. The celebration will take place on Monday, June 17, from 4 to 9 p.m.    Radio stations WFMS-FM (95.5) and WZPL-FM (99.5) will host live radio remotes covering the event. Promotion teams for the stations will be […]

Anthony Carron, Noah Ellis, Steven Fretz, and Jamie Tiampo announced plans to open Top Round Roast Beef in Los Angeles at the intersection of La Brea Avenue and Olympic Boulevard, in the former home of the legendary Pop’s Burgers, most recently occupied by Bee’s Donuts.   Starting June 17, Top Round will serve fresh and regionally […]

Burger 21, a new better-burger founded by the owners of The Melting Pot Restaurants, announced it has signed a franchise agreement to open a restaurant in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, early next year.  This deal marks the brand’s first location in Pennsylvania and the 25th restaurant open or in development. “Burger 21’s expansion into Pennsylvania is […]

On Monday, June 10, Pie Five Pizza Co. is opening the doors to its tenth corporate-owned location in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and its eleventh store for the entire chain, with its newest restaurant at 2151 N. Collins St., Suite 105, in Arlington, Texas. The first 25 guests in line before 11:00 a.m. at the […]

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc., a leader in the fast-casual segment of the restaurant industry operating under the Einstein Bros. Bagels, Noah's New York Bagels, and Manhattan Bagel brands, announced the appointment of Glenn Lunde to the position of chief concept officer, effective immediately. Mr. Lunde has over 20 years of experience in developing and […]

Quick-casual barbecue chain, Bar-B-Cutie, announces that its newest store at 2037 North Mt. Juliet Road in downtown Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, has opened. Bar-B-Cutie in Mt. Juliet opened on May 1, 2013, to begin offering the community a Nashville tradition.   This location boasts a few special touches. You’ll sit in “family grown” tables and chairs […]

Burger 21, a new better-burger franchise founded by the owners of The Melting Pot Restaurants, announced it plans to develop a minimum of five new restaurants within the Research Triangle area of Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Burger 21 has seven restaurants open and 21 franchised locations in development along the East Coast. “Burger 21 offers a […]

Elevation Burger, a 100 percent organic beef burger chain, recently signed two new franchising deals in the cities of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, and Houston. With 39 stores in operation, the company is expanding worldwide with the help of franchise development partner Fransmart, who has developed territories across the U.S. and the Middle East.   Wyomissing franchisees […]

Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza announced that an affiliate of Levy Family Partners has signed an agreement to develop 15 franchise stores in Chicago and 10 franchise stores in Miami. Levy Family Partners was established by entrepreneur Larry Levy, founder and chairman of Levy Restaurants, as the holding company for his family’s investments in restaurants, hotels, real […]

Villa Enterprises Management Ltd. Inc., a global multiconcept restaurant franchisor, announced the reopening of two Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen locations along the Florida Turnpike. As part of the Florida Turnpike’s multimillion dollar system-wide service plaza reconstruction project, renovated concepts opened recently at the Fort Drum and Turkey Lake service plazas.   “Millions of people travel […]

Boneheads Grilled Fish and Piri Piri Chicken, an Atlanta-based fast-casual restaurant concept, announces its partnership with Trevelino/Keller as its public relations and marketing agency of choice. Trevelino/Keller offers Boneheads years of experience in the restaurant and franchise industries, with a successful track record launching and revitalizing brands. Through this partnership, Boneheads plans to strengthen its […]

Newk’s Eatery, a fresh-casual restaurant concept offering a variety of made-to-order choices, recently signed agreements for six new locations in the latest phase of the company’s accelerated expansion. The first of these new restaurants will open in July. “2013 has already proven to be a profitable year for Newk’s Eatery, and it shows no sign […]

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill, a Colorado-based fast-casual restaurant concept featuring healthy Mediterranean cuisine, announced the grand opening of its first Orange County, California, franchise location on Wednesday, May 29. The new restaurant is the Mediterranean concept’s 22nd location and the fifth franchise store to open thus far. It is owned and operated by Garbanzo franchisee Banzo […]

Fazoli’s is rolling out a new fast-casual concept focusing on modern Italian fare, CEO Carl Howard announced at the 2013 National Restaurant Association (NRA) Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show. While Fazoli’s serves up tradition Italian dishes like pastas, pizzas, and submarinos, the new modern Italian concept will resemble Chipotle in its service and menu models. The point […]