Top Fast Casual News

For a third consecutive year, EVOS, a fast-casual restaurant company with an earth-friendly attitude, will offer free organic milkshakes to customers at each of its locations in celebration of Earth Day, April 22. Made from simple, wholesome ingredients like USDA-certified, organic milk and served in biodegradable cups made from plant-based ingredients, the shakes reinforce EVOS’ ongoing […]

  Sodexo, Inc. announced today that it signed a master retail license agreement with the award-winning Indian concept, Café Spice, to bring traditional Indian cuisine with a South Asian flair to Sodexo operations across country. The concept made its nontraditional debut in the university segment this fall at Sodexo-managed Babson College in Massachusetts and at […]

Moe’s Southwest Grill today introduced a new Spicy Trio available for a limited time.  Moe’s new Spicy Queso and Jalapeno Sour Cream are the featured ingredients of the Spicy Burrito, Quesadilla, and Rice Bowl. The contrasting sensation of the cool sour cream with the fiery jalapeno adds a bold twist to the new menu item.  […]

  Exit41 signed three new restaurant clients for its social ordering solution, which includes integrated online, mobile, Facebook and phone-in ordering applications for takeout, delivery and catering. With Exit41's social ordering solution, consumers can place food orders from the restaurant's Facebook page and share and "Like" their favorite menu items within their social network, enabling […]

Saladworks is offering franchisor support in a big way: three members of the executive leadership team, including the concept’s founder and CEO, are visiting new franchisees in their markets as part of the site selection process. Twice a month, John Scardapane, Saladworks founder and CEO; Paul Steck, president; and Jena Henderson, vice president of brand […]

Qdoba Mexican Grill introduced Qdoba’s Mini Street Tacos to its more than 500 restaurants nationwide. Available only for a limited time beginning March 7, Qdoba’s Mini Street Tacos offer guests a fresh, flavorful spin on traditional Mexican street fare. Qdoba’s Mini Street Tacos come with three small, soft corn tortillas filled with the guest’s choice […]

Jason’s Deli, which feeds more than 50 million people annually in 28 states, won the Best Restaurant Chain survey by Parents magazine. The survey measures where families can get the most nutritious foods for the best price while also having the least stressful experience. The results of the 10 Best Restaurant Chains survey appear in the […]

The triple threat of Schlotzsky’s Bacon Smoke Cheezy Three-zy sandwiches were such a big hit during their debut, the company is bringing them back for an encore performance. The Chicken & Bacon Smoke Cheezy, Turkey & Bacon Smoke Cheezy, and Ribeye Steak & Bacon Smoke Cheezy will be around through May 29. The Chicken & […]

MonkeyMedia Software, a provider of Web-based software, strategy, and education services for multiunit restaurant operators, announced that S.M.A.R.T. Restaurant Group will deploy MonkeyCatering to 11 franchised Which Wich units to enable increased operational control over the company’s catering business. The “2010 Which Wich Franchisee of the Year,” S.M.A.R.T. Restaurant Group delivers on Which Wich’s reputation […]

Oporto. It’s Australian for burger, and it’s definitely not beef. Direct from the world famous Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia, comes Oporto, a fast-casual restaurant concept with a focus on fresh-grilled, flavorful chicken burgers. On February 25, Oporto will open its first U.S. location at 8220 Haven Ave, at the corner of Foothill and Haven in […]

Don Shula, the winningest coach in National Football League history, announced a new fast-casual burger concept called Shula Burger. The concept will include gourmet burgers as well as a build-your-own-burger menu. The restaurant will also feature salads, chicken sandwiches, and veggie burgers. "We have been working on Shula Burger for two years," Shula says. "We think that this […]

Representatives for celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s new television show are looking for the newest healthy food equipment at this year’s NAFEM Show in Orlando, Florida. Among the equipment that struck their interest was SpinFresh, a salad-spinner-style oil machine that creates healthier fried foods for restaurants. “They just came up to us literally as the lights […]

Jeniel LLC is satisfying Darlington, South Carolina’s craving for Bojangles’ “Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits” with the opening of its newest location at 1524 South Main Street in Darlington. This marks Jeniel LLC's 10th location to open in the Carolinas region.  “We are thrilled to open a new Bojangles’ restaurant in Darlington and serve residents with […]

Which Wich Superior Sandwiches recently unveiled two larger sandwich sizes—10.5 inches and a 14-inch Superwich—to  complement its classic 7-inch sandwich. In addition, Which Wich added a 32-ounce plastic stadium cup to offer guests a larger beverage option.                                                   This is the first time in its seven-year history that the sandwich chain has made significant changes to […]

Four veteran restaurant industry executives have combined resources, experience, and expertise to form K3R Capital Partners LLC, a restaurant investment and management consulting firm targeting chain restaurants.
K3R Capital Partners aims to make controlling-interest equity investments in restaurant chains at pivotal points in their business lifecycle, including turnarounds, divestitures/spin-offs, financial restructurings, and bankruptcy. K3R's specific targets include […]

Olympia, Washington, mayor Doug Mah helped celebrate the recent opening of Washington’s first Panera Bread drive thru, located at 2525 Capital Mall Drive in Olympia, by breaking a giant baguette with Thurston County Chamber members and Panera employees. Mah presented a proclamation announcing Panera Drive-Thru Day and welcoming customers to the new bakery-cafe by passing […]

Moe’s Southwest Grill introduced its "Food Mission," which includes redesigned menu boards that will feature a new food mission wheel “steering” guests to select healthier food choices. These healthy menu options include gluten-free ingredients, vegan-friendly options, and low-calorie meals. Moe's uses more than 20 fresh ingredients, including hormone-free grilled chicken, beef and even organic tofu. […]

The fast-casual segment has been one of the brightest spots for the restaurant industry the last few years, with majors players like Chipotle drawing cash-strapped customers away from casual and fine dining with strong quality but a lower price point. Now one industry veteran wants to ride the success of the fast-casual industry by introducing […]

The number of U.S. restaurants declined by -1 percent, or a loss of 5,551 restaurants, from a year ago, according to a fall 2010 restaurant census conducted by the NPD Group. NPD's Fall 2010 ReCount, which is a census of commercial restaurant locations in the U.S. compiled in the spring and fall each year, showed […]

The New Miami Subs Grill, a Ft. Lauderdale-based fast-casual restaurant chain, was selected as one of the 50 Top Franchises for Veterans by World Franchising Network. The franchise was recognized for its commitment to the recruitment and advancement of veterans within the company and its policy to provide veterans with incentives to acquire a franchise. This is […]

Pei Wei Asian Diner, the fast-casual restaurant concept by P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, announced the winner of its international blogger competition. After a 10-week national search and more than 500 applicants, Alice Shin, 27, was chosen to travel with executive chef Eric Justice and acclaimed chef Mark Miller on an 18-day culinary tour across Thailand, […]

Entrepreneurs Michael and Melissa Newton will celebrate the grand opening of South Bend, Indiana’s new Einstein Bros. Bagels location at 2019 South Bend Ave., north of Campus Shoppes, with a food giveaway on January 22. Einstein Bros. Bagels will present the first 100 people in line with coupons valid for one free Breakfast Sandwich a […]

Beautiful Brands International announced it has signed an agreement with Larry Koehler and Casie Caldwell of Greenz Salads for the first Greenz Salads franchise. The new restaurant will be converted from their corporate store located in Uptown Dallas. “We are honored to facilitate this franchise agreement with Greenz,” says David Rutkauskas, Beautiful Brands founder, president, […]

Top That! Pizza announced the signing of its first development agreement, paving the way for the expansion of the Tulsa, Oklahoma–based concept throughout Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, and North Texas. Beautiful Brands International, Top That! Pizza’s franchising representative, facilitated the deal, which is one of the largest in that company’s more than 20-year franchising history. The […]

Fast-casual restaurant chain Zoës Kitchen announced that Kevin Miles was promoted to chief operating officer, a new position for Zoës. "Kevin has consistently demonstrated his strong leadership skills and ability to get at the heart of what makes operations successful,” says chairman and CEO Greg Dollarhyde. “His commitment and ability to guide and inspire others […]