Fazoli’s Opens First Travel Plaza Unit, More to Come
Fazoli’s has debuted its first unit in a travel plaza, marking an additional venue for the popular premium Italian quick-service restaurant chain. Franchisee Par Mar Stores, a division of Par Mar Oil Co., has agreed to open two more Fazoli’s at other travel plazas in West Virginia and Ohio within the next two years. The […]
Asiana Grill Yoshinoya Launches in May
Yoshinoya America, Inc. announces the launch of Asiana Grill Yoshinoya, where customers experience a blast of exotic Asian flavors put together the way they like it. The new restaurant concept of fast-casual dining centers on the customer, who combines a rich selection of menu styles, sauces, proteins, and sides to create the perfect blend of Asian flavors. The Asiana Grill […]
With Brand Revamp Complete, Daphne’s Turns to Franchising
After a year and a half of rebranding efforts and menu tweaks, the executive team leading Daphne’s California Greek is ready to franchise across the country. The 56-unit fast-casual concept, formally known as Daphne’s Greek Café, should succeed nationally because it satisfies consumers’ cravings for modern fast-casual brands and health-inspired food, says CEO Bill Trefethen. […]
Muscle Maker Grill to Double Franchise Units
Rod Silva, founder of Muscle Maker Grill, a chain of fast-casual eateries that serves “great food with your health in mind,” announces plans to grow the franchise system from 50 units to 100 units. The projected growth is attributed to an increasing number of current franchisees purchasing additional restaurants, and the chain’s efforts to expand […]
Pizza Fusion is Heading to Sin City
Pizza Fusion, a socially responsible restaurant chain, announced it will open a new restaurant in the Las Vegas area this spring. The new 1,800-square-foot Pizza Fusion will be located at 10345 South Eastern Avenue in Henderson, Nevada, in the Eastern Commons Shopping Center next to Trader Joe’s. Pizza Fusion offers dine-in, take out, delivery, and […]
Zaxby’s Lands On Prominent List for Customer Satisfaction
Recognized for the first time, Zaxby’s has been ranked No. 7 in the Top 10 Excellent Large Fast-Food Chains with 500 or more U.S. units in the recently published Quick-Track study conducted by Sandelman & Associates in 2011. Ranked alongside chains like Starbucks and Panera Bread, 51 percent of Zaxby’s guests rated their overall experience […]
How Do You Roll? Find Out At Its 10th Location
The custom sushi shop How Do You Roll? opened its 10th location today in Marina del Rey, California. The first of its kind, the fast-casual restaurant leads the sushi rebellion and has no plans to slow down. “We’re proud that we’ve achieved this milestone and can’t wait to continue,” says Yuen Yung, chief executive. “Our […]
Moe’s Franchisees Bring Mooyah to West Hartford, CT
Over the summer, Hartford, Connecticut, residents were introduced to the state’s first MOOYAH, an upbeat better burger joint that’s been sweeping the nation off its feet with its craft burgers, fries, and shakes. In early March, Hartford County will have a second MOOYAH restaurant, located in West Hartford, that includes some of MOOYAH’s recent design […]
Daily Kitchen Dishes Up Eco-Conscious Fare in Vegas
Delicious is officially in season at Daily Kitchen & Wellness Bar, the newest fast-casual concept from The LEV Restaurant Group in Las Vegas. Situated off the Strip in the Gardens Plaza in Summerlin, Daily Kitchen & Wellness Bar is dishing up seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with its eclectic menu that offers […]
Chipotle Plans Biggest Growth Yet in 2012
Chipotle Mexican Grill executives sounded an optimistic note for the coming year during the company's fourth-quarter earnings call, despite an anticipated double-digit rise in costs for the company's naturally cultivated commodities. Montgomery Moran, co-CEO of Chipotle, said the company expects to open 155–165 new Chipotle locations in 2012. "While this is more restaurants than we've […]
Wendy’s: It’s Time to Compete with Fast Casuals
Wendy's president and CEO Emil J. Brolick unveiled in the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call yesterday a new recipe to "take the brand where we need it to be,” and said reviving the iconic brand will require competing with upstart fast-casual brands. While Wendy’s North American company-operated same-store sales increased 5.1 percent in the fourth quarter, […]
Gluten-Free Asian Concept, Asian Box, Debuts in Palo Alto
Guests will soon know the answer to the question “What’s in Your Box?” when San Francisco’s FK Restaurants & Hospitality debuts its innovative Asian Box concept in Palo Alto, California, in February 2012. Inspired by Asian street food carts, Asian Box will showcase traditional cooking methods and recipes made with fresh and local ingredients. Under […]
The Gyro Co. Founder Talks Start-Up’s Success
In an Allentown, Pennsylvania, shopping center, The Gyro Company is surrounded by fast-casual giants, including Five Guys, Panera Bread, and Firehouse Subs. But the little Greek concept isn’t taking the competition lying down. The 51-seat, 2,100-square-foot Gyro Company features a funky attitude with giant cartoon images of Zeus and Athena painted on its walls, as […]
Zaxby’s Overhauls Design, Rolls Out ‘Farmhouse’ Look
Zaxby’s unveiled its newest store design, an overhaul of the exterior and refresh of the interior that will debut in two corporate-owned locations in February. Zach McLeroy, cofounder and CEO of Athens, Georgia–based Zaxby’s, says this is the third time the company has changed its design as it strives to set itself apart from other […]
Merzi Ready to Take Indian Food to the Masses
Merzi, the Washington, D.C.–based fast casual that has been compared to an Indian version of Chipotle, has been so successful that founder Qaiser Kazmi says it is finally prepared to open unit No. 2—and many, many more. “We think by the end of this year we should have another three or four units opening, and […]
A Wonderful LYFE: Concept Beating Projections 2 Months In
Two months after LYFE Kitchen opened the doors to its first unit in Palo Alto, California, an executive at the fast-casual concept says it is “exceeding our projections by a significant amount.” Mike Donahue, chief communications officer for LYFE Kitchen, says the healthy-eating concept has “resonated” with customers since its November opening. “This is one […]
New VA Bojangles’ Reflects Brand’s Fast-Casual Push
PWFoods LLC is satisfying Farmville, Virginia, residents' craving for Bojangles' "Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits" with the opening of its newest location at 1501 S. Main Street on December 12. Situated across the street from the Longwood Village Shopping Center, the new Bojangles’ features drive-thru and in-store dining with breakfast served all day, including made-from-scratch proprietary […]
Canada’s Mucho Burrito to Duke It Out with Chipotle in U.S.
A Canada-based Mexican chain that hopes to compete with the likes of Chipotle and Qdoba is making inroads into the U.S., starting with the Seattle area. Mucho Burrito was founded in 2006 in Mississauga, Ontario, and has since grown to about 40 locations in Canada. To expand into the U.S. for the first time, the […]
Columbus and Toledo are About to Get Some Hot Heads
Hot Head Burritos announced the signing of a 30-store development agreement for the Columbus and Toledo, Ohio, areas. This will expand the restaurant chain from its current 21 locations to more than 50 locations across Ohio, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. “We couldn’t be more excited about this expansion,” says Hot Head Burritos cofounder Ray Wiley. “We […]
Tour Chipotle Founder’s Newest Concept
QSR recently got an exclusive media tour of ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen, the Asian fast-casual, created by Chipotle founder Steve Ells. "Like" QSR on Facebook to access behind-the-scenes photos from the tour! The one-unit concept is located in Washington, D.C's, busy Dupont Circle area, where foot traffic is heavy and appetites are adventurous. ShopHouse is inspired […]