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Fast Casual

Beverage

How Nekter Juice Bar is breaking away from the pack in a crowded segment

 By Patricia Cobe on Feb. 01, 2024

Co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer Alexis Schultze Parra collaborates with brands outside the food and drink category to grow the audience for juices, smoothie and bowls.

Financing

Savory Fund backs smoothie, acai bowl concept South Block

 By Heather Lalley on Jan. 31, 2024

The majority stake marks the 12th restaurant investment for the Utah-based private-equity firm and the first in its $200 million Savory Fund III portfolio.

Food

Fast-casual Brine pays homage to the Pop-Tart with launch of first dessert

By Patricia Cobe on Jan. 28, 2024

Behind the Menu: Chef-partner Joseph LoNigro highlighted all the best parts of the iconic toaster pastry to create a signature, scratch-made treat that’s easy to execute in a limited kitchen.

Financing

Potbelly keeps its focus on growth through franchising

By Heather Lalley on Jan. 24, 2024

The fast-casual sandwich chain said it has 192 franchised stores currently under development. It also released an updated rewards app.

Food

Celebrity chef Jet Tila adds another signature dish to Pei Wei’s menu

By Patricia Cobe on Jan. 24, 2024

Firecracker Shrimp brings a sweet-spicy flavor profile and new protein to the fast-casual’s pan-Asian lineup.

Emerging Brands

The plant-based trend is weakening, but Kevin Hart's growing concept has a superpower

By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 18, 2024

The four-unit Hart House plans to more than double in size this year, and some of that growth might come from an acquisition.

Operations

How Gregg Majewski plans to change the reputation of virtual restaurant brands

By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 18, 2024

His portfolio company Craveworthy Brands is rolling out a new model to bring virtual brand revenue to its brick-and-mortar family of restaurants.

Leadership

Suzie Tsai announced as Bonchon's U.S. CEO

By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 16, 2024

She appears to have been in the role since October, but now publicly takes the lead on U.S. operations. Former CEO Bryan Shin shifts to international growth.

Emerging Brands

How Steve Ells' new Kernel aims to change the labor equation

By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 11, 2024

Expected to open in February, Kernel will attempt to reinvent the team member experience. Brand president Stephen Goldstein describes how the concept is designed to benefit both the planet and workers.

Financing

Once 'orphaned,' Qdoba's new parent sees much whitespace for growth

By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 11, 2024

John Cywinski hints going public could be in the Mexican fast casual's future if the revitalization strategy comes to fruition as planned.

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