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Fast_Casual

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.”

Financing

Noodles & Company got hit by a COVID one-two punch

 By Heather Lalley on Feb. 24, 2022

The combined impacts of the delta and omicron surges cost the fast casual $8 million in estimated revenue from temporary closures and reduced hours during the fourth quarter.

Operations

Why Dog Haus is excited about the future of ghost kitchens

By Heather Lalley on Feb. 23, 2022

The gourmet hot dog concept was an early entrant in virtual brands and ghost kitchens. More than two years in, the fast casual has figured out some digital tricks but isn’t giving up on dine-in.

Food

Behind the upgraded menu at Flip’d, IHOP’s fast-casual sibling

By Patricia Cobe on Feb. 22, 2022

The bowls, sandwiches, salads and baked goods are designed for grab-and-go, but 60% of the business is dine-in.

Leadership

Tom Ferguson, 57, founder and CEO of Rise Biscuits dies

By Heather Lalley on Feb. 22, 2022

Ferguson started the 17-unit chain in 2012. The company called him “a champion of others, a mentor, and a devoted husband and father.”

Financing

Shake Shack remains in rebuilding mode

By Heather Lalley on Feb. 18, 2022

While other chains have fully recovered from the pandemic, and then some, the New York City-based fast casual keeps getting battered by the pandemic’s waves.

Operations

Why Chicken Salad Chick isn’t flocking to digital

By Heather Lalley on Feb. 17, 2022

Digital sales make up just 15% of the fast casual’s business today, and the chain’s CEO said its diners simply prefer the dining room.

Financing

Shake Shack to raise prices again after omicron takes its toll

By Heather Lalley on Feb. 17, 2022

The fast-casual burger brand said there is too much uncertainty to predict when it might return to pre-pandemic sales trends.

Financing

Wingstop: ‘The worst is behind us’ when it comes to wing prices

By Heather Lalley on Feb. 16, 2022

The fast-growing wing chain saw a 27.5% increase in bone-in wing prices during the fourth quarter, but said the cost finally appears to be on a downward trend.

Operations

How Chipotle got to 3,000 locations

By Heather Lalley on Feb. 15, 2022

It took the fast casual 29 years to reach the milestone, but Chipotle has aggressive growth plans for the future.

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