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Fast_Casual

Food

McAlister's Deli loads potatoes with bold toppings to keep spud fans coming back

 By Patricia Cobe on Sep. 24, 2025

Behind the Menu: Giant Spuds have been a center-of-the-plate signature at the fast casual for over 30 years, with 22 toppings on the menu to choose from and new limited-time offers to explore.

Financing

Smashburger wants customers to come back to its restaurants

 By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 19, 2025

The fast-casual burger chain has undergone a lot of changes in recent years and relied too heavily on third-party delivery. Now, following a strong "Summer of Smash," the Denver-based chain hopes its turnaround has begun.

Leadership

After 30 years, Qdoba catches a wave

By Lisa Jennings on Sep. 15, 2025

Despite being a distant second in the fast-casual Mexican category, Qdoba hopes to step out of Chipotle's shadow with its signature promise of free queso and guac.

Financing

Portillo's finds expansion tougher than it seems

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 12, 2025

The Bottom Line: The fast-casual Italian beef chain has long been something of an oddball with a broad menu and big restaurants. Now its sales are slowing and its expansion strategy is in question.

Financing

Potbelly to be sold to the convenience-store chain RaceTrac for $566M

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 10, 2025

The Chicago-based sandwich chain, which has seen improved sales of late and a soaring share price, will be sold to the Atlanta-based convenience-store retailer at $17 per share.

Financing

Freddy's is reportedly being sold to private-equity firm Rhone Group

By Joe Guszkowski on Aug. 29, 2025

Rhone has a deal to acquire the fast-casual burger chain for $700 million from Thompson Street Capital Partners, according to Reuters.

Technology

'Zipotle:' Chipotle is working with the autonomous delivery company Zipline

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 21, 2025

The fast-casual burrito chain said that it will launch delivery in Dallas with the company, which lowers orders to the ground from autonomous aircraft.

Food

You can call it a 'slop bowl,' but it's not going away

By Lisa Jennings on Aug. 21, 2025

After a rough first half for fast-casual brands, some are questioning whether consumers have had enough of bowls. The answer is no.

Marketing

Chipotle wants to join Gen Z on their higher education journey

By Lisa Jennings on Aug. 19, 2025

The fast-casual chain is launching its first loyalty program specifically for college students. With about 250 restaurants near a campus, it's a way to target marketing around the rhythms of the academic year.

Financing

The tough restaurant environment spreads to fast casual

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 13, 2025

The Bottom Line: Sweetgreen, Wingstop, Chipotle and now Cava have seen sales slow this year, and their stock hit hard in the process. Fast-casual chains are not immune to the current challenges.

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