Fast_Casual

Sweetgreen co-founder faces backlash after comments linking COVID to poor diet

By Heather Lalley on Sep. 01, 2021

In a now-deleted LinkedIn post, Jonathan Neman, whose salad chain filed to go public in June, linked the pandemic to obesity and called for a ban on “food that is making us sick.”

Leadership

Joella’s Hot Chicken adds Inspire vet Tye Pollak as COO

By Heather Lalley on Aug. 31, 2021

The former Inspire Brands operations executive will oversee operations at the 19-unit fast-casual chain.

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Operations

Potbelly goes back to the drawing board

By Heather Lalley on Aug. 31, 2021

The fast-casual sandwich chain is rolling out a new menu little more than two years after its last menu revamp. It is also scrapping a new store design that didn’t achieve its goals.

Leadership

Wingstop promotes former CFO Skipworth to COO and president

By Heather Lalley on Aug. 29, 2021

Alex Kaleida will move into the chief financial officer post at the fast-casual chicken wing chain.

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Operations

Why fast casuals are investing in nontraditional locations

By Patricia Cobe on Aug. 26, 2021

Restaurant concepts are breaking out of the brick-and-mortar mold, seizing growth opportunities at colleges, stadiums, c-stores and similar venues.

Operations

Which are tomorrow’s hot restaurant concepts?

By Peter Romeo on Aug. 24, 2021

The hottest growth concepts feature inexpensive and focused menus and a lot of salads, bowls and bubble tea.

Food

Chipotle is testing a new plant-based chorizo

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 19, 2021

The chain is testing the protein at some restaurants in Denver and Indianapolis. It is made with pea protein.

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Operations

Inside the surprise Panera Brands deal

By Heather Lalley on Aug. 05, 2021

Niren Chaudhary, CEO of the newly formed fast-casual supergroup of Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels, discusses why the trio banded together and what to expect.

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Financing