Restaurant Business

JUNE 13, 2025

The fast-food franchisor is asking a federal court to sign off on its decision to terminate Paradigm Investment Group’s franchise agreement. Private-equity firm Savory Fund made a major investment in casual-dining chain Hawkers Asian Street Food. million last year, that’s more than double the next closest chain.

Operations 227

Operations Leadership 2025 Fast Casual 227

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. By Heather Lalley on Jun.

Fast Casual 147

Fast Casual Leadership 2025 2024 147

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.

Fast Casual 162

Fast Casual Leadership Mobile Ordering Casual 162

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.

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Fast Casual Leadership Franchising Franchise 176

Restaurant Business

JUNE 11, 2025

A rendering of Perkins Griddle & Go fast-casual concept. Simultaneously, the company also created a fast-casual version of Perkins called Griddle & Go, another nod to younger, on-the-go customers. News food drink Joe Guszkowski is a senior editor with Restaurant Business covering technology and casual-dining chains.

Fast Casual 185

Fast Casual Front of House Back of House Leadership 185

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. leadership News executive change Want breaking news at your fingertips? By Restaurant Business Staff on Jun. Blaze is now based in Atlanta. Members help make our journalism possible. Sign up here.

Fast Casual 147

Fast Casual Leadership Franchising Franchise 147

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 228

Advertising Fast Casual Social Media Leadership 228

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. None of this isn’t to say that there aren’t potential issues with the fast-casual chain.

Fast Casual 144

Fast Casual Leadership Point of Sale Social Media 144

Restaurant Business

JUNE 11, 2025

The convenience-retailing giant on Wednesday announced a Craveables Value Menu, pitting it in head-to-head competition with fast-food chains also looking to win consumers over with low prices. Photo: Shutterstock 7-Eleven is ready to do battle in the summer value wars.

Fast Casual 175

Fast Casual Cash Management Retail Leadership 175

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 16, 2025

In today’s fast-paced dining world, guest satisfaction goes beyond just great food—it’s about delivering a seamless experience. Communication as a Foundation for Service Efficiency Fast and effective service is rarely accidental. A well-informed team can anticipate issues before they affect the guest.

Front of House 251

Front of House Communication Back of House Fast Casual 251

Restaurant Business

JUNE 24, 2025

The growth capital firm behind the food-and-games brands Puttshack, F1 Arcade and Flight Club has added more restaurant industry firepower to its leadership team. brings unmatched expertise and a proven track record of leadership across some of the most well-known brands in the restaurant industry,” said Focht, in a statement.

Leadership 157

Leadership Food Fast Casual 2025 157

Modern Restaurant Management

OCTOBER 10, 2024

Consider a large Mexican fast-casual chain that implemented a tuition coverage program for employees pursuing degrees in fields like agriculture, culinary arts, and hospitality. In the restaurant industry, an education program should emphasize the development of durable skills such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving.

Education 221

Education Loyalty Program Leadership Customer Service 221

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 189

Delivery Leadership 2025 Advertising 189

Restaurant Business

JUNE 23, 2025

For fast-food restaurants, where every second counts, this could be a particularly valuable tool, especially as more transactions come through digital channels. technology News Tech Check Joe Guszkowski is a senior editor with Restaurant Business covering technology and casual-dining chains.

Hiring 175

Hiring Mobile Ordering Advertising Leadership 175

Restaurant Business

JUNE 23, 2025

And fast-food customers Chef Jonathon Sawyer discusses his Chicago restaurant, Kindling, and his latest TV appearance Are we reaching peak chicken tender saturation on menus? Since the menu at this fast-casual chain is rooted in Mediterranean flavors, this dessert is not a big culinary stretch. Photo courtesy of Nick the Greek.

Bar 162

Bar Fast Casual Leadership Back of House 162

Restaurant Business

JUNE 5, 2025

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. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Fast Casual 147

Fast Casual Leadership 2025 Loyalty Program 147

Restaurant Business

JUNE 5, 2025

On Thursday, the casual-dining chain promoted Lyle Tick, its president and chief concept officer, to the top job. I am proud of the progress we have made to date for the business and as a leadership team,” Tick said in a statement Thursday. “I By Joe Guszkowski on Jun. By Joe Guszkowski on Jun. Sign up here.

Leadership 162

Leadership Fast Casual 2025 Franchising 162

7 Shifts

NOVEMBER 14, 2024

Fine dining establishments may require staff to have in-depth knowledge of each dish, including wine pairings and ingredient sourcing, while a fast-casual restaurant may focus on quick service and consistent food prep. Let’s say you run a fast-casual restaurant.

Training 195

Training Kitchen Safety Food Safety Customer Service 195

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. Trending Leadership Chris Turner named CEO of Taco Bell owner Yum Brands Operations The real James Beard Award stars? Because if DoorDash keeps going at this rate, it may just become inevitable.

Leadership 185

Leadership Advertising 2025 Reservations 185

Qu

JUNE 16, 2025

Kiosks Are Coming for Fast Casual Here’s a stat that might surprise you: 62% of brands are using or rolling out kiosks in 2025. While QSRs lead at 80%, fast casual is catching up quickly. The takeaway: “Kiosks are coming to fast casual. Done wrong, kiosks create bottlenecks instead of efficiency.

Fast Casual 52

Fast Casual 2025 Casual Loyalty Program 52

Modern Restaurant Management

NOVEMBER 8, 2022

Since the pandemic, many chefs created fast-casual concepts and we see more and more tasting and prix-fix menus. From all the other conversations, I highlight, in the same chapter, many advice about leadership. I learned many lessons while writing this book, about leadership, about food, and about me as an individual.

Food 450

Food Book Travel Leadership 450

7 Shifts

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

Table of Contents Biggest overall team management challenges Top priorities for restaurant operators Wage Increases Leadership and Training Programs Hiring and retention remain the biggest challenge for restaurants when it comes to team management overall. Here's what we found.

2023 397

2023 Hiring Leadership Fast Casual 397

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 9, 2021

This was painfully evident when a couple of my coworkers and myself went to eat at a fast casual chain and waited over a half hour for food. An idea on the minds of foodservice leadership post-pandemic is the ghost kitchen – a kitchen dedicated to prepping food without maintaining a dining space. Ghost Kitchen Roll Out.

Kitchen Safety 421

Kitchen Safety Food Supply Fast Casual Food Safety 421

7 Shifts

DECEMBER 16, 2022

And a great team can only thrive under outstanding leadership. their leadership sees team management as their greatest responsibility. With that team, they've built a brand of 11 locations serving fresh, fast, and healthy food to the Atlanta metro area. Leadership encourages staff to leave more feedback often.

Leadership 370

Leadership Mobile Ordering Fast Casual Communication 370

Modern Restaurant Management

JULY 30, 2021

Founded in 2006, Just Salad is the fast-casual restaurant industry’s leading proponent of zero-waste practices. The healthy fast casual restaurant is actively seeking Franchisees for nationwide expansion after elevating its design and enhancing the customer experience.

Franchise 508

Franchise Franchising Fast Casual Point of Sale 508

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 28, 2021

Adding to the 20 Noodles & Company locations in the metro Chicago market, the ghost kitchen will help reach a new customer base through its digital channels and give the fast-casual brand a presence in-between local locations. "We're flip'd by IHOP. Grab-and-go salads and wraps, freshly baked goods and more.

Franchise 474

Franchise Franchising Fast Casual Loyalty Program 474

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 3, 2025

We were entering the saturated fast-casual burger space and knew we needed to make an impact. Further, growth can dilute company culture, so strong leadership and employee engagement are both crucial. One example is Harriet’s Hamburgers in Charlotte, NC, top photo. What are the keys to a brand remaining authentic?

Social Media 251

Social Media Customer Experience Email Marketing Loyalty Program 251

Restaurant Business

JUNE 17, 2024

As the fast-casual pizza niche tries to find its post-pandemic path, Blaze Pizza hopes to regain leadership with a new menu and mission.

Fast Casual 167

Fast Casual Casual Leadership Menu 167

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 4, 2019

They want a flexible, fast, customized, and “frictionless” dining experience — one without the “drag” of unnecessary steps or interactions. Want a lightning-fast grab-and-go experience? Well, that puts fast-casual out of the running. Too bad for you, that precludes casual-plus.

Fast Casual 307

Fast Casual Customer Experience Point of Sale Mobile Ordering 307

Modern Restaurant Management

NOVEMBER 2, 2021

” Creating Multi-Brand Platform of Premium Casual Restaurant Concepts. It started with an overhaul of existing branding, packaging and restaurant design for its national franchise stores and then followed with the recruitment of a seasoned senior leadership team. BurgerFi International Inc. ” Popeyes to Grow in Romania.

Franchise 450

Franchise Franchising Leadership Beverage 450

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 1, 2020

Other businesses have seen a surge of consumer interest, including chicken-wing joints (+84 percent), pizzerias (+71 percent) and fast-food restaurants (+55 percent). dine out more often to fulfill basic needs and gravitate toward drive-thru and take-away options associated with QSR and fast casual. In the U.K.

2020 479

2020 Food Safety Fast Casual Guest Recovery 479

Modern Restaurant Management

JUNE 12, 2020

” The leadership team of Restaurant Sherpas uses their decades of experience to operate Teriyaki Madness franchise partners’ shops and provides full support during the process. His previous experience also includes acting as CFO and controller for numerous hospitality and fast casual brands such as Rubio’s, Carl’s Jr.,

Franchise 420

Franchise Franchising Food Safety Kitchen Safety 420

Modern Restaurant Management

FEBRUARY 5, 2024

Being a Loyalty Juggernaut essentially commands category leadership. “That’s the real payoff – blockbuster category leadership and more effective marketing.” The fast food industry saw the largest reduction in spending year over year (five percentage points). percent in 2023.

2024 492

2024 Loyalty Program Food Order 2030 492

Restaurant Business

DECEMBER 6, 2022

SVP Stephanie Traut will take over leadership of operations for the fast-casual salad chain.

Fast Casual 261

Fast Casual 2023 Leadership Casual 261

Modern Restaurant Management

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

Ike’s Love & Sandwiches is ranked #12 on Fast Casual’s Movers and Shakers 2021 list. Ike’s appointed industry veteran Adam Rinella as Vice President of Development to help the booming fast casual brand reach even more markets. Rinella is skilled in bringing restaurant ideas into reality.

Franchise 471

Franchise Franchising Food Fast Casual 471

Modern Restaurant Management

FEBRUARY 18, 2020

In order to compete, restaurant brands need to be equipped with the leadership and capabilities necessary to adapt to the latest tech trends. In the short term, it’s QSR that will experience labor improvement, then fast-casual. Restaurants will become increasingly casual. Suzannah Gerber of Haven Foods.

Mobile Ordering 539

Mobile Ordering Front of House Customer Service Customer Experience 539

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 17, 2020

This investment comes at a pivotal time, as the Indian fast casual has more than 50 franchise and corporate locations in varying stages of development across the United States, including two franchised locations that recently opened in Atlanta and Orange County, California. Paris Baquette's Leadership Changes.

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Franchise Franchising 2020 Fast Casual 340