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Fast_Casual

Operations

Franchising takes wing for Starbird

 By Heather Lalley on Mar. 11, 2022

The 12-unit, tech-focused fast casual said it has proven out its concept and is ready to bring on franchisees as early as next month.

Leadership

El Pollo Loco names Laurance Roberts CEO

 By Heather Lalley on Mar. 10, 2022

Roberts has served as interim CEO and CFO since last fall, following the departure of Bernard Acoca, who left to take the top post at Zaxby’s.

Financing

Portillo’s wants to be a ‘price laggard’

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 10, 2022

The fast-casual Italian beef chain, which went public in October, said it looks to take traffic while other brands are taking price. But that doesn’t mean it’s not raising prices at all.

Emerging Brands

How Original ChopShop is growing like a big chain while it’s still small

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 07, 2022

The 17-unit fast-casual adopted practices from bigger brands early on which have helped it navigate through the pandemic with strong sales.

Operations

Sweetgreen really wants you to get back to the office

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 04, 2022

The fast-casual salad chain revealed it has about 500 Outpost office drop-off locations, but it’s hoping to grow that business to boost its sales.

Financing

For Sweetgreen, margins remain a big hurdle

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 03, 2022

The fast-casual, in its first earnings report as a public company, said it expects its first-quarter restaurant-level margins to be between 10% and 11% despite growing sales.

Financing

A small quesadilla chain gets an investment from Mooyah’s owner

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 01, 2022

Investor Anand Gala and his Gala Capital Partners have taken a minority stake in seven-unit fast-casual concept Dillas Quesadillas to help it become a franchisor.

Operations

Pressed finds success with novel sales channels

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 01, 2022

The cold-pressed juice chain is partnering with independent coffee shops to sell its products and has seen strong sales results.

Operations

Chipotle opens a big corporate office in Columbus

By Heather Lalley on Feb. 28, 2022

The new restaurant support center, which took two years to build, will house 400 employees across a range of departments and will help the fast casual achieve its lofty growth goals, it said.

Leadership

Velvet Taco hires industry vet as CFO

By Heather Lalley on Feb. 28, 2022

Lee Evans joins the fast casual after holding financial posts at Rock Bottom, Raising Cane’s and more.

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