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Heather Lalley

Managing editor

Articles by
Heather Lalley

Page 29
Financing

Chicken prices are causing headaches for Wingstop

The fast casual’s food costs are soaring and it is looking for ways to assert more control over its supply chain.

Food

Chipotle picks up its menu innovation pace with a new chicken recipe

The fast casual is testing chili-spiced Pollo Asado alongside its traditional chicken offering at 95 restaurants in Cincinnati and Sacramento.

Operations

Inside Fat Brands' acquisition of Fazoli’s

The Italian fast-casual chain, with its private equity owner, decided to look for a buyer in April before striking a deal with the owner of Johnny Rockets this week, its CEO said.

Leadership

Dave’s Hot Chicken names Jim Bitticks as president

Bitticks previously spent seven years in operations with Blaze Pizza.

Workforce

Raising Cane’s is raising hourly wages

The fast casual said its average hourly pay will now be $14, a 15% increase for most employees, as it continues a major hiring push.

Workforce

Noodles & Company sees retention boost after adding employee benefits

The fast-casual chain released its first impact report Thursday, noting that both management turnover and hourly employee turnover have decreased.

Financing

Construction delays slow new restaurant openings for Noodles & Company

The slowdown comes as the fast casual posted record average unit volumes and 16.3% same-store sales growth for its third quarter.

Financing

Vaccine mandates are causing ‘significant challenges’ for Sweetgreen

The fast casual, which submitted its go-public plans this week, said it is having trouble getting workers to submit proof of vaccination, which could lead to layoffs, staffing shortages and potential restaurant closures.

Financing

Fast casual Dig gets a $65M investment

The funding round, which includes support from a Danny Meyer-backed fund and others, will help the pandemic-battered 30-unit chain reopen temporarily closed restaurants and double its store count over the next three years.

Marketing

Chipotle launches a truly ‘virtual’ restaurant via Roblox

The fast casual is giving away $1 million in free burritos on the gaming platform and is giving out branded Halloween costumes for players’ avatars.

Financing

Owner of Fuzzy’s Taco Shop is looking to buy more chains

NRD Capital on Tuesday announced the formation of a platform company called Experiential Brands, headed by Fuzzy’s CEO Paul Damico.

Technology

Sweetgreen is pushing for a high-tech future

The fast-casual chain, which filed to go public this week, is focused on boosting digital orders and adding tech enhancements to its restaurants.

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