Modern Restaurant Management

APRIL 9, 2025

After successfully opening a second location in Kernersville, NC, and planning for a third one, the fast-casual gourmet slider brand has started franchising and plans to grow strategically in the Southeast region. The franchise industry continues to evolve, and I believe a few key trends are shaping the future.

Loyalty Program 251

Loyalty Program Franchising Franchise Fast Casual 251

Restaurant Business

JULY 9, 2025

From elevated comfort food to trending global flavors, operators are using Philly in inventive ways that bring signature flavor and premium texture to the menu. 09, 2025 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Kraft Heinz Versatile, consistent, and built for culinary creativity, Philadelphia Cream Cheese is The Original that chefs trust to do it all.

Leadership 254

Leadership Back of House 2025 Food Supply 254

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 15, 2025

For Cody Pepper, CEO of Fast Fresh Brands, iit led him on a mission to make healthy eating accessible to everyone. This experience ignited a fire in him, leading him to leave a successful career in nonprofit and consulting to helm Fast Fresh, parent company of Bee Healthy Cafe and Nature's Table.

Fast Casual 221

Fast Casual Food Franchising Franchise 221

Modern Restaurant Management

FEBRUARY 19, 2025

based architecture and design firm / /3877, newly-available real estate offers prime locations and cheaper rent for fast casual restaurants such as taco shops and upscale burger joints. Even with the closure of some chain restaurants, fast food and convenience will always be a prevalent part of the industry landscape.

Fast Casual 221

Fast Casual Customer Experience Design Casual 221

Restaurant Business

JULY 25, 2025

Meanwhile, dine-in visits have increased in fast-casual and fast-food restaurants, while takeout and drive-in orders are down. Menu innovation can be a motivating factor in luring diners away from breakfast at home—where nearly half of consumers eat the morning meal—and into restaurants. Sign up here.

Mobile Ordering 203

Mobile Ordering Fast Casual Leadership Consumer Goods 203

Restaurant Business

JUNE 27, 2025

The pandemic was in full swing, and we got really busy, like 300-400 DMs whenever we dropped a menu,” he said. There are a few sweet treats on the menu, and there’s a whole coffee program. The families became fast friends. Jeff had nailed bagel making by then, and started selling his bagels online, using social media. “The

Fast Casual 172

Fast Casual Franchising Franchise Leadership 172

Restaurant Business

JULY 16, 2025

Photos courtesy of Lime Fresh Mexican Grill With nine locations in Florida, fast-casual Lime Fresh Mexican Grill is David to Taco Bell’s Goliath. Photos courtesy of Lime Fresh Mexican Grill With nine locations in Florida, fast-casual Lime Fresh Mexican Grill is David to Taco Bell’s Goliath. By Patricia Cobe on Jul.

Menu 159

Menu Fast Casual Leadership Email Marketing 159

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. percent menu-price inflation rate. At the same time, U.S. chain sales grew just 3.1

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Loyalty Program 2025 Customer Experience Customer Service 371

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 144

Fast Casual Leadership 2025 2024 144

Restaurant Business

JUNE 17, 2025

Continue to Site >>> Menu Forget coffee. 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. The way Greenlane prices its menu has evolved since the first unit opened in 2023.

Fast Casual 159

Fast Casual Leadership Mobile Ordering Casual 159

Restaurant Business

JUNE 11, 2025

The of-the-moment menu updates are part of sweeping rebrands at the two chains under owner Ascent Hospitality Management. With the new identity set, Ascent then turned to the chain’s menu. Alongside the new menu, the chain has developed a new restaurant design that will serve as a blueprint for future openings.

Fast Casual 182

Fast Casual Front of House Back of House Leadership 182

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 3, 2025

For a deeper dive into brand messaging, strategy, and authenticity, creating unified guest experiences, and the orchestration of physical and experiential touchpoints, Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine reached out to The Plaid Penguin’s Founder and Sir Idea Man Joe Haubenhofer. The work doesn’t stop with launch though.

Social Media 251

Social Media Customer Experience Email Marketing Loyalty Program 251

Restaurant Business

JULY 8, 2025

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 could have been worse: Fast-casual pizza chain sales declined 5%.

Leadership 221

Leadership Point of Sale Fast Casual Email Marketing 221

Restaurant Business

JUNE 17, 2025

Continue to Site >>> Menu C-stores are stealing fast-food tactics. Not quite yet An easy way to bring bold Korean flavors to modern menus From BBQ to beverages, menus are seeing a lot of action Food C-stores are stealing fast-food tactics. Sounds like the hallmarks of any solid fast-food restaurant.

Food 275

Food Fast Casual Leadership Loyalty Program 275

Modern Restaurant Management

FEBRUARY 27, 2025

To learn more about the plans for the growing brand, Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine spoke with Araque and Gonzalez. The brand is scalable because the menu is easy to execute and everyone loves fries. Plus, the tourism and social media scene in Miami helps new brands grow fast. Why you wanted to franchise.

Franchise 221

Franchise Franchising Social Media Influencer 221

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 30, 2025

This edition of Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine's Research Roundup features delivery data, tariff troubles, summer dining trends, and Beer Serves America. Fast Food and QSR Value The United States Fast Food & Quick Service Restaurant Market size was valued at US$ 248.8 Perkins American Food Co.

Fast Casual 251

Fast Casual Food Point of Sale Mobile Ordering 251

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 221

Operations Leadership 2025 Fast Casual 221

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. Last year, the bakery-café chain began a comprehensive menu overhaul. By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 25, 2025 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Panera CEO Paul Carbone is promising a three-year turnaround.

Leadership 224

Leadership Fast Casual 2025 Casual 224

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. Data, Data, Data.

2025 419

2025 Loyalty Program Social Media Fast Casual 419

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 172

Hiring Mobile Ordering Advertising Leadership 172

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.

Bar 159

Bar Fast Casual Leadership Back of House 159

Restaurant Business

JUNE 24, 2025

Continue to Site >>> Menu Does Chipotle have a structural problem? 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. 24, 2025 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn The flexibility of the menu remains a key strength for Chipotle.

Fast Casual 144

Fast Casual Leadership Point of Sale Social Media 144

Restaurant Business

JULY 9, 2025

The BBQ Brisket Whopper is the first item to launch from Burger King’s new “Whopper by You” platform—a program that invites guests to help shape the burger giant’s menu. To put the new Whopper on the menu, the Miami-based fast-food burger chain had to bring in the brisket, Carolina gold BBQ sauce and crispy onions. “A

Leadership 144

Leadership Food Supply Loyalty Program Fast Casual 144

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. The burrito chain was founded in 2008 in Wall Township, New Jersey, by Bill Hart and Paul Altero, who created a menu of traditional Mexican fare but with a twist. Sign up here.

Fast Casual 172

Fast Casual Leadership Franchising Franchise 172

Restaurant Business

JULY 21, 2025

The company under former CEO Chidsey, whose job was to guide the company through a sale process, upgraded the menu, improved marketing and reorganized the corporate structure. But store closures have returned this year amid a difficult operating environment for much of the fast-food space. By Jonathan Maze on Jul.

Loyalty Program 239

Loyalty Program Leadership 2025 Fast Casual 239

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

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 172

Fast Casual Cash Management Retail Leadership 172

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 184

Delivery Leadership 2025 Advertising 184

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 144

Fast Casual Leadership Franchising Franchise 144

Restaurant Business

JULY 15, 2025

Chris Tomasso, CEO of First Watch, and Barry McGowan, CEO of Fogo de Chao, are both joining a new board for Hawkers Asian Street Food, the casual-dining chain Savory acquired last month. By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 15, 2025 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Hawkers' board will feature two notable full-service chain executives.

Leadership 172

Leadership Food Fast Casual 2025 172

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 31, 2024

This final edition of Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine's Research Roundup for 2024 features news of operator challenges and priorities, delivery trends, wages and hourly worker considerations. The primary response was menu price increases, with nearly 61 percent of respondents adjusting prices to cope with the new reality.

Franchise 221

Franchise Franchising 2024 Mobile Ordering 221

Restaurant Business

JUNE 24, 2025

Continue to Site >>> Menu Former Red Robin CEO G.J. News Emerging Brands technology 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. View All Articles by This Author Want breaking news at your fingertips?

Leadership 228

Leadership Food Fast Casual 2025 228

Restaurant Business

JUNE 5, 2025

Konro is a Japanese-inspired concept known for a 10- to 14-course tasting menu, served at a chef’s counter with only 10 seats. Bickelhaupt was a guest on the Menu Talk podcast by Restaurant Business last year, and he spoke about his former struggles with sobriety and operating the concept with his wife, who was also sommelier.

Fast Casual 144

Fast Casual Leadership 2025 Loyalty Program 144

Restaurant Business

JULY 25, 2025

McIntyre is a classically trained chef with deep experience in both menu development and operations. Premium Financing The difficult operating environment hits once-untouchable Chipotle The Bottom Line: The fast-casual burrito chain, which thrived during the Great Recession and shrugged off the pandemic, is suddenly on the defensive.

Leadership 144

Leadership Fast Casual Email Marketing Food Supply 144

Lavu

JULY 4, 2025

Servers have to explain to diners that certain foods are off the menu until the ingredients come in. These systems record exactly what is sold each night and can alert staff when certain menu items or ingredients are low. Diners are more likely to get frustrated and write negative reviews or never return.

POS 78

POS 2025 Front of House Back of House 78

Restaurant Business

JULY 15, 2025

or “Are there gluten-free items on the menu?” Concierge then uses data from OpenTable, including menus and reviews, to generate a response. OpenTable says the bot will save customers time and will help restaurants capture more bookings by providing needed information fast. Sign up here.

Leadership 191

Leadership Technology Book Fast Casual 191

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 11, 2025

" As we mark the fifth anniversary, MRM magazine surveyed restaurant insiders about the pandemic’s lasting impact on their businesses and the industry. But it also fast-tracked the adoption of technology and AI, setting small businesses up for smarter, more sustainable growth moving forward. Supporting your staff is crucial.

Loyalty Program 471

Loyalty Program Mobile Ordering Customer Experience Online Ordering 471