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Fast_Casual

Food

Under new ownership, Big Chicken refreshes its menu

 By Lisa Jennings on Jul. 16, 2025

After joining the Craveworthy Brands portfolio this year, the Shaquille O'Neal-created fast casual rolled out a revamped menu, with new Shaq Snacks and sandwiches designed to make a basketball player's hands look small.

Financing

Why fireplaces are vital for La Madeleine

 By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 16, 2025

A Deeper Dive: John Dillon, CEO of the Dallas-based fast-casual chain, joins the restaurant finance podcast to talk about the company’s growing focus on hospitality.

Financing

The story behind the fast-growing restaurant chain Mo'Bettahs

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 02, 2025

A Deeper Dive: Rob Ertmann, CEO of the Hawaiian-style fast-casual chain, joins the restaurant finance podcast to talk about growth strategies, barriers, tariffs and traffic.

Financing

Value pressure comes to the fast-casual sector

By Jonathan Maze and Lisa Jennings on Jun. 27, 2025

The Week in Restaurants: This week’s episode of the restaurant news discussion podcast features a look at fast-casual prices, deportation's impact on restaurant sales, and McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme.

Operations

Sweetgreen wants to shake its reputation for expensive salad

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 27, 2025

The fast-casual chain is working on its value perception in a way that spotlights menu innovation and avoids discounts. Is the chain given enough credit for its more-affordable offerings?

Leadership

Panera Bread brings in a transformation strategist to aid its turnaround

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 25, 2025

Nikka Copeland has been named senior vice president of a newly created office of transformation & strategy at the fast-casual bakery-cafe chain.

Emerging Brands

Forget coffee. Salad is rising as the next drive-thru concept

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 17, 2025

The fast-casual Greenlane is plotting growth across Florida with investor and NFL star Rob Gronkowski working the drive-thru window.

Financing

How Velvet Taco's unique menu gives it permission to go where others can't

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 11, 2025

A Deeper Dive: Clay Dover, CEO of the fast-casual taco chain, joins the restaurant finance podcast to talk about the brand’s unique menu and its growth plans.

Operations

Fast casual was the happy place in 2024

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 02, 2025

Sales in the segment far exceeded industry trends, boosted by growth brands like Chipotle, Wingstop, Raising Cane's and Jersey Mike's Subs. But some brands were left behind.

Food

For fast-casual Rooted, healthy eating lies in streamlining both the menu and packaging

By Patricia Cobe on May 29, 2025

Behind the Menu: Culinary entrepreneur Lily Rivkin keeps her ingredient list below 50 to curate simple, build-your-own meal boxes with unique flavor profiles.

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