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Fast_Casual

Food

Chipotle picks up its menu innovation pace with a new chicken recipe

 By Heather Lalley on Nov. 02, 2021

The fast casual is testing chili-spiced Pollo Asado alongside its traditional chicken offering at 95 restaurants in Cincinnati and Sacramento.

Financing

Fat Brands to buy Fazoli’s for $130M

 By Jonathan Maze on Nov. 02, 2021

The owner of Johnny Rockets has agreed to its third major acquisition this year after deals for Twin Peaks and Global Franchise Group.

Operations

Inside Fat Brands' acquisition of Fazoli’s

By Heather Lalley on Nov. 02, 2021

The Italian fast-casual chain, with its private equity owner, decided to look for a buyer in April before striking a deal with the owner of Johnny Rockets this week, its CEO said.

Workforce

Noodles & Company sees retention boost after adding employee benefits

By Heather Lalley on Oct. 28, 2021

The fast-casual chain released its first impact report Thursday, noting that both management turnover and hourly employee turnover have decreased.

Financing

Construction delays slow new restaurant openings for Noodles & Company

By Heather Lalley on Oct. 28, 2021

The slowdown comes as the fast casual posted record average unit volumes and 16.3% same-store sales growth for its third quarter.

Financing

Vaccine mandates are causing ‘significant challenges’ for Sweetgreen

By Heather Lalley on Oct. 27, 2021

The fast casual, which submitted its go-public plans this week, said it is having trouble getting workers to submit proof of vaccination, which could lead to layoffs, staffing shortages and potential restaurant closures.

Marketing

Chipotle launches a truly ‘virtual’ restaurant via Roblox

By Heather Lalley on Oct. 26, 2021

The fast casual is giving away $1 million in free burritos on the gaming platform and is giving out branded Halloween costumes for players’ avatars.

Financing

Sweetgreen files its IPO

By Heather Lalley on Oct. 25, 2021

The 140-unit fast-casual salad chain, which has been hard hit by the pandemic, becomes the fifth restaurant brand to go public this year.

Workforce

Chipotle is playing the staffing shuffle with its on-site vs. digital makelines

By Heather Lalley on Oct. 22, 2021

Workers are being shifted from the digital kitchen to the front line in short-staffed stores, forcing the fast casual to “throttle” digital orders during peak times.

Food

The hummus wave is becoming a tsunami

By Patricia Cobe on Oct. 22, 2021

A dip that originated in the Middle East has gone mainstream on fast-casual and school-lunch menus. Now new variations are coming out of those roots.

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