Restaurant Business

JUNE 25, 2025

Fast-casual Panera Bread has been going through significant change over the past two years, with multiple board and leadership changes. News leadership Fast_Casual Lisa Jennings is a veteran restaurant industry reporter and editor who covers the fast-casual sector, independent restaurants and emerging chain concepts. Sign up here.

Leadership 225

Leadership Fast Casual 2025 Casual 225

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 27, 2025

This edition of Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine's Research Roundup features the present and future of AI use in F&B, The Splintered Path to Purchase, the Datassential 500 Awards, and where chefs are earning six figures. What's Fueling QSR and Fast Casual Visits? Every aspect receives a score of 81 or higher.

Loyalty Program 371

Loyalty Program 2025 Customer Experience Customer Service 371

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 3, 2025

Restaurant industry challenges are pushing operators to be more creative and efficient with many opting for more multifunctional spaces – especially in a fast-casual setting. At Maria Empanada, a fast-casual Latin concept the team is working on right now, the to-go boxes are artfully displayed, blending function and branding seamlessly.

Fast Casual 251

Fast Casual 2025 Design Customer Experience 251

Restaurant Business

JUNE 27, 2025

In fact, the beverage program was a bit of a fluke. News Emerging Brands franchising Lisa Jennings is a veteran restaurant industry reporter and editor who covers the fast-casual sector, independent restaurants and emerging chain concepts. The 15 types of bagels are made in-house throughout the day.

Fast Casual 173

Fast Casual Franchise Franchising Leadership 173

Restaurant Business

JUNE 24, 2025

Investments also include tech companies, such as order aggregation platform Chowly, automated beverage concept Botrista, and lease management software company Leasecake. Probably not The Bottom Line: The fast-casual Mexican chain remains a shockingly good value and its first-quarter sales slowdown was not out of the ordinary.

Leadership 230

Leadership Food Fast Casual 2025 230

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine asked restaurant industry experts for their views on what trends and challenges owners and operators can expect to see in 2025. So much data is generated at every point within a restaurant, whether fast casual or fine dining. For the first part, click here and for the second part, click here.

2025 419

2025 Loyalty Program Social Media Fast Casual 419

Restaurant Business

JULY 8, 2025

It could have been worse: Fast-casual pizza chain sales declined 5%. deals this week as fast-food pizza chains work to reverse stubbornly weak sales. deals this week as fast-food pizza chains work to reverse stubbornly weak sales. deals this week as fast-food pizza chains work to reverse stubbornly weak sales. It’s not just those three.

Leadership 224

Leadership Point of Sale Fast Casual Email Marketing 224

Restaurant Business

JUNE 11, 2025

But perhaps the brand’s most radical transformation was on the beverage side, where it has added modern sips like boba as well as craft cocktails, including frozen margaritas and mojitos. We do see beverages and on-the-go beverages as a big growth opportunity for both of the brands,” O’Reilly said.

Fast Casual 184

Fast Casual Front of House Back of House Leadership 184

Restaurant Business

JUNE 18, 2025

The New Jersey-based fast-casual chain has been acquired by private-equity firm Thompson Street Capital Partners, the company announced Wednesday. News acquisitions franchising Lisa Jennings is a veteran restaurant industry reporter and editor who covers the fast-casual sector, independent restaurants and emerging chain concepts.

Fast Casual 174

Fast Casual Leadership Franchise Franchising 174

Restaurant Business

JUNE 17, 2025

Salad is rising as the next drive-thru concept The fast-casual Greenlane is plotting growth across Florida with investor and NFL star Rob Gronkowski working the drive-thru window. But Tampa-based Greenlane is among a growing number of fast-casual concepts making freshly prepared salads a drive-thru option. By Lisa Jennings on Jun.

Fast Casual 161

Fast Casual Leadership Mobile Ordering Casual 161

Restaurant Business

JUNE 13, 2025

Private-equity firm Savory Fund made a major investment in casual-dining chain Hawkers Asian Street Food. Starbucks’ latest gambit to improve operations? Giving store managers ownership over testing early-stage ideas and sharing the results systemwide. Members help make our journalism possible.

Operations 224

Operations Leadership 2025 Fast Casual 224

Restaurant Business

JUNE 6, 2025

But it wasn’t quite so bad for fast-casual concepts , which outpaced other categories with 9% growth in 2024, according to Technomic. Fast-casual chicken chains, including Dave’s Hot Chicken, saw double-digit sales growth, while fast-casual pizza continued to falter. Segment leader Chipotle Mexican Grill rose to No.

Fast Casual 146

Fast Casual Leadership 2025 2024 146

Restaurant Business

JUNE 24, 2025

Probably not The Bottom Line: The fast-casual Mexican chain remains a shockingly good value and its first-quarter sales slowdown was not out of the ordinary. Among fast-casual chains, the slowdown was more pronounced. As a side note, Chipotle’s value on those scores decline with additions like beverages or guacamole.

Fast Casual 144

Fast Casual Leadership Point of Sale Social Media 144

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 29, 2021

Instead of belaboring the issue, Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine went to the experts for some solutions. “We are seeing sign-on bonuses at fast food and fast casual locations, something never seen before in the industry. “Wages across the country are definitely up for the industry, in virtually every location.

Fast Casual 553

Fast Casual Hiring Online Ordering Front of House 553

Restaurant Business

JUNE 11, 2025

News marketing delivery technology Joe Guszkowski is a senior editor with Restaurant Business covering technology and casual-dining chains. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here. Get today’s need-to-know restaurant industry intelligence.

Advertising 226

Advertising Fast Casual Social Media Leadership 226

Restaurant Business

JUNE 12, 2025

News technology delivery finance Joe Guszkowski is a senior editor with Restaurant Business covering technology and casual-dining chains. Premium Emerging Brands Pepper Lunch carves a niche in the Panda Express-dominated world of Asian fast casual The Japan-born franchise brand has 540 units globally, but only nine in the U.S.

Delivery 187

Delivery Leadership 2025 Advertising 187

Restaurant Business

JUNE 23, 2025

Chains including Shake Shack, Paris Baguette, Nick the Greek and MilkShake Factory have recently rolled out shakes, sweets and beverages that riff on the classic Middle Eastern treat of chocolate, pistachio and the crisp shreds of phyllo dough known as kataifi. Nick the Greeks Pistachio Cream “Dubai Chocolate” Froyo. Sign up here.

Bar 161

Bar Fast Casual Leadership Back of House 161

Restaurant Business

JUNE 11, 2025

After fast-casual chain &Pizza heard from customers that its prices were too high , it lowered them late last month and simplified its menu structure to highlight affordable options. Wendy’s launched a 100 Days of Savings summerlong promotion, serving up a variety of deals through its app. It’s a unique spin on Southern comfort.

Fast Casual 173

Fast Casual Cash Management Retail Leadership 173

Restaurant Business

JUNE 23, 2025

technology News Tech Check Joe Guszkowski is a senior editor with Restaurant Business covering technology and casual-dining chains. But it’s claims like those that restaurants should be wary of while shopping for technology. View All Articles by This Author Want breaking news at your fingertips?

Hiring 173

Hiring Mobile Ordering Advertising Leadership 173

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 21, 2022

Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine asked experts for their thoughts on trends and challenges that will affect the restaurant industry in 2023. – Chris Adams, VP of Strategy, Oracle Food and Beverage. "As For part two, click here.

2023 419

2023 Loyalty Program Fast Casual Customer Experience 419

Restaurant Business

JUNE 5, 2025

The experience is available with a spirit-free beverage pairing, and the restaurant’s website notes that the chef is “over five years sober.” News independents chefs Lisa Jennings is a veteran restaurant industry reporter and editor who covers the fast-casual sector, independent restaurants and emerging chain concepts. Sign up here.

Fast Casual 146

Fast Casual Leadership 2025 Loyalty Program 146

Restaurant Business

JUNE 6, 2025

The eight-unit fast-casual concept Off The Hook Restaurants is beefing up its executive team as it plans growth in Louisiana. She also led a turnaround at Jamba as vice president of operations, and spent 14 years with Starbucks, rising to director of business operations. Blaze is now based in Atlanta. Have consumers moved on?

Fast Casual 146

Fast Casual Leadership Franchise Franchising 146

Modern Restaurant Management

JULY 27, 2022

Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine asked restaurant industry insiders to give us their insights into how the industry has been doing so far this year and where they feel it's going. ” – Chef Manuel Rodriguez, Corporate Director of Food & Beverage with Innisfree Hotels.

2022 450

2022 Customer Service Fast Casual Food Safety 450

Restaurant Business

JULY 9, 2025

Premium Emerging Brands Olive & Finch lets diners dictate how they want to experience the brand This growing premium fast casual out of Denver is expanding with an all-day menu priced no higher than $20. But that doesn’t mean that it hasn’t changed with consumer demand.

Leadership 144

Leadership Food Supply Loyalty Program Fast Casual 144

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 15, 2020

This edition of Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine's Research Roundup features the dismal March restaurant sales, security, loyalty, trends and teen consumer behaviors. Alcoholic beverages, in particular, can have an enormous impact on guest checks, especially for bar and grill and more upscale restaurants.

2020 491

2020 Point of Sale Fast Casual Online Ordering 491

Modern Restaurant Management

AUGUST 17, 2020

This edition of Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine's Research Roundup features consumers' dining desires, the power of personalization and the untapped opportunity in localized marketing. Fatigued by cooking at home, consumers are anxious to dine at their favorite restaurants according to a new Oracle Food and Beverage study.

2020 493

2020 Mobile Ordering Loyalty Program Food Safety 493

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 2, 2024

Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine asked restaurant industry experts for their views on what trends and challenges owners and operators can expect to see in 2024. As the return to office continues, we anticipate employers will jump on the latest food trends when deciding what to serve to create “office FOMO.”

2024 493

2024 Food Safety Fast Casual Insurance 493

Restaurant Business

JUNE 5, 2025

On Thursday, the casual-dining chain promoted Lyle Tick, its president and chief concept officer, to the top job. News casual_dining Joe Guszkowski is a senior editor with Restaurant Business covering technology and casual-dining chains. By Joe Guszkowski on Jun. Sign up here. Get today’s need-to-know restaurant industry intelligence.

Leadership 159

Leadership Fast Casual 2025 Franchise 159

Restaurant Business

JUNE 17, 2025

News Tech Check technology delivery Joe Guszkowski is a senior editor with Restaurant Business covering technology and casual-dining chains. Because if DoorDash keeps going at this rate, it may just become inevitable. View All Articles by This Author Want breaking news at your fingertips?

Leadership 184

Leadership Advertising Reservations 2025 184

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 13, 2020

As the Coronavirus crisis continues, Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine asked industry insiders what best practices restaurants should have in place for social distancing, as per CDC guidelines. What are some ways restaurant owners and operators can be safe and welcome guests while maintaining social distance?

Front of House 499

Front of House Back of House Restaurant Law Food Safety 499

Modern Restaurant Management

NOVEMBER 8, 2022

Born and raised in France, Laroche is vice president of marketing with Symrise North America a global manufacturer of flavors for the food and beverage industry. Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine caught up with Laroche to learn more about why he wrote this book, the state of restaurant culture and more.

Food 450

Food Book Travel Leadership 450

Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 26, 2024

. “Immediately after the event the team meets to gather feedback and create a recap,” Kurt Pahlitzsch, Vice President of Casual Dining at Doherty Enterprises, franchisee of Chevys, told Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine. One thing they need a lot of is ice.

Social Media 294

Social Media Food Supply Events Entertainment 294

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 31, 2025

This edition of Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine's Research Roundup features news of dramatic Valentine's Day shift, best food scenes, and the evolution of c-store foodservice. Fast-casual visits overall were down 3.8 ” A Year of Challenges U.S. In December, QSR restaurants overall saw visits decline 2.9

Marketing 221

Marketing Loyalty Program 2024 2025 221

Modern Restaurant Management

FEBRUARY 27, 2020

This edition of Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine's Research Roundup features the National Restaurant Association's State of the Indusrty Report, food industry pressures, foodservice opportunities, influencer marketing, foot traffic analysis and the dining-out dollar. 2020 State of the Restaurant Industry.

2020 481

2020 Influencer Point of Sale Food Safety 481

EATER

OCTOBER 28, 2022

Popular opinion tends to be that Vancouver shines brightest as a culinary destination thanks to its abundance of spectacular produce, and chefs from around the world who bring their techniques, traditions, and flavors to the city’s (admittedly casual) tables. Surprisingly that’s exactly what has happened, with cozy boltholes such as St.

Fine Dining 261

Fine Dining Casual Back of House Social Media 261

Modern Restaurant Management

FEBRUARY 18, 2020

Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine asked restaurant industry movers and shakers: "What do you feel is going to cause disruption in the restaurant industry over the next decade?” In the short term, it’s QSR that will experience labor improvement, then fast-casual. Restaurants will become increasingly casual.

Mobile Ordering 539

Mobile Ordering Front of House Customer Service Customer Experience 539

7 Shifts

AUGUST 7, 2024

The cost of food and beverages is a bit of a moving target. Food and beverages make up half of your prime costs (along with labor). Calculate your food cost percentage Determine what your food cost percentage target is by dividing your total food and beverage costs by your total revenue. divided by 0.30 = $9.16

Food 370

Food Seasonal Menu Inventory Pricing 370