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Fast_Casual

Financing

In closing its pizza brand, Chipotle ends a weird era

 By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 06, 2023

The Bottom Line: The burrito chain is closing its remaining Pizzeria Locale locations, finally putting an end to an era in which it tried putting its fast-casual stamp on different menu segments.

Operations

Raising Cane's global flagship restaurant opens in NYC's Times Square

 By Patricia Cobe on Jun. 27, 2023

The “coming soon” sign had been lit up for two-plus years, but the 8,000-square-foot location finally opened Tuesday, with blocks-long lines of fans waiting to get in.

Emerging Brands

Indian food is finally carving a niche among U.S. fast casuals

By Patricia Cobe on Jun. 22, 2023

Several forces are coming together to push Indian mainstream through the fast-casual model after years of fits and starts. But the major players are going slow, following a path of smart growth.

Financing

A labor-saving effort by Clean Juice puts its franchisees in a bind

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 21, 2023

The fast-growing juice chain sold franchises on its idea of house-made, cold-pressed juice. But last year the company shifted to a pre-bottled option. Franchisees say it revealed long-held problems with the brand.

Financing

Will Cava Group be the next Chipotle or the next Noodles & Co.?

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 16, 2023

The Bottom Line: The fast-casual Mediterranean chain is the latest to draw enthusiasm from investors hoping they’ve found a company that could come close to Chipotle’s return.

Operations

Boston restaurateurs build fast-casual future in Los Angeles

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 16, 2023

Tim and Nancy Cushman are known for their higher-end concepts like O Ya and Bianca in Boston. So what are they doing in a West Coast food hall?

Emerging Brands

Peter Piper changes its model to grow outside its core markets

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 13, 2023

Parent company CEC Entertainment recently opened a fast-casual version, Peter Piper Pizzeria, in a bid to differentiate itself from sister chain Chuck E. Cheese.

Operations

Chipotle cuts 25 jobs from corporate support centers

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 06, 2023

A reorganization in May also included adding new roles in an ongoing effort to deliver on aggressive growth goals, the company said.

Operations

IHOP shuts down its fast-casual spinoff, Flip'd

By Joe Guszkowski on Jun. 01, 2023

After about two years and four locations, the pancake chain said it would apply lessons from the grab-and-go concept to other parts of its business.

Financing

An activist investor apparently sets its sights on Shake Shack

By Jonathan Maze on May 15, 2023

The Bottom Line: Engaged Capital, the same activist that took on Del Frisco’s and Jamba, is now targeting the fast-casual burger chain. But what would it do differently?

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