design

Operations

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop gets into the drive-thru game

The fast casual said Tuesday it has signed a 50-store deal with a franchisee, all of which are slated to include drive-thrus.

Operations

Back Yard Burgers, after many hurdles, gets ready to grow again

The better-burger brand is about 75% smaller than it was 15 years ago. But it is looking to get back into the new-restaurant business.

The pandemic pushed operators to unveil a flurry of new prototypes in 2021, codifying the changes in consumer behavior brought on by the crisis in updated designs.

Later this month, the fast casual plans to open its first Chipotlane Digital Kitchen with an order-ahead drive-thru and walk-up window but no indoor access for customers.

The 34-unit casual dining concept is finding solid sales with a smaller restaurant and new service model, giving franchisees another option, according to the founder and CEO.

The store offers a high-tech, contactless experience in what Starbucks bills as a comfortable “third place” environment. But does it deliver on both?

Known for its big, bustling on-premise seating, the newly public Italian beef brand said changing consumer demand is forcing it to consider new store designs.

The 70,000-square-foot space houses a huge commissary, R&D kitchen, tasting rooms, a bistro-style dining area for “family meal," offices and more.

The fast-casual burger chain said it will open its first drive-thru in Maple Grove, Minn., instead of Orlando, as originally planned. Shake Shack said it intends to have 10 drive-thrus by the end of 2022.

The fast-casual gourmet hot dog concept said it needed to focus on convenience to accommodate changing customer behavior coming out of the pandemic.

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