Fast Casual

Financing

NaanStop wins early-growth investment from Full Course development fund

By Lisa Jennings on Oct. 28, 2022

This $20 million fund is designed to help grow female- and minority-owned independent concepts.

Operations

Sweetgreen opens first digital-only pickup location

By Lisa Jennings on Oct. 27, 2022

This unit in Washington, D.C., has no dine-in seating and no front makeline.

Operations

Wingstop earnings get a boost from lower chicken costs

By Lisa Jennings on Oct. 26, 2022

Domestic same-store sales were up 6.9%, mostly on increased transactions, and the fast-casual chain sees room for growth with new sandwiches and expansion of delivery.

Financing

Lower-income guests are dining at Chipotle less often

By Lisa Jennings on Oct. 25, 2022

But higher-income diners remain undeterred by price increases and third-quarter results remain strong.

Technology

Panda Express lends rooftops to 5G expansion

By Lisa Jennings on Oct. 24, 2022

5G provider Kroo plans to expand its cellular network by leveraging commercial real estate.

Food

Famed Mexico City chef creates an ant burger for Shake Shack’s 3-course $75 dinner

By Patricia Cobe on Oct. 24, 2022

Fast-casual Shake Shack partnered with Enrique Olvera of award-winning Pujol restaurant for the menu, which is being served in New York and LA for two nights only.

Topics

Smashburger settlement spotlights lingering impact of problematic Triple Double Burger campaign

By Lisa Jennings on Oct. 20, 2022

Marketing hype or false advertising? The impact of this 2017 marketing campaign drags on.

Premium

Emerging Brands

Why Aloha Poke believes it can win the ‘wide open’ poke bowl market

By Joe Guszkowski on Oct. 20, 2022

Sales at the Chicago-based chain are up double-digits this year, fueling big expansion plans.

Food

Noodles & Company rolls out plant-based Panko Chicken option

By Lisa Jennings on Oct. 18, 2022

The Impossible Foods product is also featured in two new dishes following a successful market test earlier this year.

Leadership

Maria Hollandsworth named COO of El Pollo Loco

By Lisa Jennings on Oct. 17, 2022

Hollandsworth was previously the regional vice president of operations for Dunkin’ and also spent about 20 years at Jack in the Box.

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