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Operations

Panera opens a pick-up-only store

 By Heather Lalley on Jun. 10, 2022

The first Panera To Go, which opened on Chicago’s North Side last month, has no dining room. Two more digital-only locations are planned to open this year, the bakery-café chain said.

Operations

Sweetgreen plans to open an order-ahead drive-thru dubbed the ‘Sweetlane’

 By Heather Lalley on Mar. 24, 2022

The drive-thrus resemble Chipotle Mexican Grill’s successful Chipotlanes and are part of Sweetgreen’s broader suburban strategy.

Operations

Portillo’s dining room-less restaurant is a big hit

By Heather Lalley on Feb. 25, 2022

The fast-casual Italian beef and hot dog chain’s CEO said the newest prototype just might be “something very, very special.”

Operations

Are fast casuals going through a mid-life crisis?

By Heather Lalley on Feb. 04, 2022

They’re adding drive-thrus, taking away dining rooms, letting customers order at the table and more; blurring the lines between their segment, quick service, and even casual dining.

Operations

Wingstop opens a cash-less, seat-less restaurant

By Heather Lalley on Feb. 03, 2022

The wing chain’s new “restaurant of the future” will allow the brand to test equipment and layouts to maximize its off-premise business.

Operations

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

By Heather Lalley on Jan. 25, 2022

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

By Heather Lalley on Jan. 21, 2022

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.

Operations

The year in restaurant design trends

By Heather Lalley on Dec. 21, 2021

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.

Operations

Diners can’t enter this new Chipotle location

By Heather Lalley on Dec. 16, 2021

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.

Operations

East Coast Wings tinkers with a fast-casual model

By Heather Lalley on Dec. 06, 2021

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.

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