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Fast_Casual

Financing

Portillo’s details ambitious growth goals

 By Heather Lalley on Sep. 28, 2021

In its IPO filing, the 67-unit fast casual known for hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches, said it was “well-positioned for global growth.”

Food

Chipotle creates an LTO mashup of two recently added menu items

 By Heather Lalley on Sep. 27, 2021

The chain’s new Quesabrisket features a cheese quesadilla stuffed with smoked brisket, a protein that debuted systemwide last week.

Emerging Brands

Hot chicken concepts are red hot right now

By Heather Lalley on Sep. 23, 2021

Lots of money has flowed into emerging hot chicken chains in recent weeks as the Gen Z-friendly segment readies for massive growth.

Food

Chipotle launches smoked brisket nationwide

By Heather Lalley on Sep. 21, 2021

The rollout follows a 64-unit test of the new protein late last year. The brisket is smoked, charred on the grill and seasoned with smoky peppers and other spices.

Technology

Pret A Manger is the latest chain to try a monthly subscription program

By Heather Lalley on Sep. 16, 2021

The fast casual is rolling out a coffee subscription at its New York City and Washington D.C. locations, following a successful test in its U.K. units.

Operations

Dog Haus preps for a new double drive-thru store design

By Heather Lalley on Sep. 16, 2021

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

Technology

Freebirds turns to burrito-bowl robots for expansion

By Joe Guszkowski on Sep. 15, 2021

The burrito chain will add multiple new locations through a partnership with Now Cuisine, a maker of automated food kiosks.

Emerging Brands

Ike’s Love & Sandwiches invests in new hot chicken concept

By Heather Lalley on Sep. 12, 2021

Ike’s executives will now take over development, operations and marketing for three-unit fast-casual chain Bangin’ Buns as it grows.

Emerging Brands

Pincho gets a $20M investment from the Savory Fund

By Heather Lalley on Sep. 09, 2021

The money will be used to fuel growth of the Miami-based fast casual, as well as buying out franchisees to convert the eight current restaurants to company-owned stores.

Marketing

Chipotle is rethinking its relationship with digital influencers

By Heather Lalley on Sep. 09, 2021

The fast casual is creating the Chipotle Creator Class, using TikTok to promote the program, with plans to “redefine the traditionally transactional relationship” between a brand and influencers.

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