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Fast Casual

Operations

Panera Bread expands rewards program to grocery CPG

 By Heather Lalley on Jun. 29, 2023

Shoppers who spend $20 on Panera-branded grocery items, including salad dressings and mac & cheese, can get a $5 electronic gift card to use at the fast-casual brand's restaurants.

Operations

Hamra Enterprises acquires 24 Panera Bread units across the South

 By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 28, 2023

The Missouri-based group is also a franchisee of Wendy's, Noodles & Company and, soon, Caribou Coffee. The acquisition brings the group's restaurant count to a total of 195.

Emerging Brands

Indian food is finally carving a niche among U.S. fast casuals

By Patricia Cobe on Jun. 22, 2023

Several forces are coming together to push Indian mainstream through the fast-casual model after years of fits and starts. But the major players are going slow, following a path of smart growth.

Operations

Piada Italian Street Food launches 'Stickscription' program

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 20, 2023

For $6.99 per month, members can get a free Piada Stick and drink each day, with the purchase of an entree.

Operations

Boston restaurateurs build fast-casual future in Los Angeles

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 16, 2023

Tim and Nancy Cushman are known for their higher-end concepts like O Ya and Bianca in Boston. So what are they doing in a West Coast food hall?

Operations

With IPO capital in hand, Cava looks onward to growth

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 15, 2023

The 263-unit Mediterranean chain plans to reach 1,000 locations across the U.S. by 2032 and sees an opportunity to grow sales with new formats, catering and building loyalty.

Operations

Blaze Pizza sues Blaze BBQ for trademark infringement

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 14, 2023

The fast-casual pizza chain is seeking an injunction and monetary damages, saying the Mediterranean concept willfully copied elements of graphics and interior design.

Operations

Cava raises $318M in its IPO

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 14, 2023

On the eve of its debut on the New York Stock Exchange, the fast-casual chain's initial stock price hit $22 per share, well above earlier projections. The price gives the company a $2.5 billion valuation.

Financing

What happened the last time restaurants were this smitten with IPOs

By Peter Romeo on Jun. 13, 2023

Restaurant Rewind: The heyday of initial stock offerings were the 1990s, seen by some as casual dining's coming out party. Here's what we can learn from those days.

Operations

Tacos poised to take over fast casual

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 09, 2023

Fast-casual taco concepts have more-elevated fare, bars and breakfast. And though the landscape in this niche is increasingly crowded, most say there's plenty of room for national growth.

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