Paul Damico leaves Naf Naf Grill to oversee Global Franchise Group

April 13, 2020

Paul Damico has left Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill to take on the CEO role at Global Franchise Group, a brand management company and franchisor of Great…

El Pollo Loco rescinds annual outlook on 1.5% Q1 sales drop

April 9, 2020

The 480-unit mostly Western U.S. chain, El Pollo Loco, reported that its Q1 sales fell 1.5% for the period that ended March 25. Still, before the pandemic…

Frontline QSR, pizza workers walk out over COVID-19 fears

April 9, 2020

Today in California, workers at 30 different QSRs will stage a walk-out in an effort to force management at those stores to provide more safety protection…

McDonald's top execs to cut salaries as March sales drop 22%

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

McDonald's executives are slashing salaries amid a sharp drop in same-store sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nathan's Famous does a tech makeover, sees impressive test results

April 7, 2020

Nathan's Famous, Inc. has more than 100 years of tradition behind it, but that hasn't stopped the brand from overhauling its technology from top to bottom. The…

To AI or not to AI: Researcher says proceed with caution

Research just published by a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute professor indicates that AI may not always serve restaurant brands well, depending on their…

Restaurateurs respond to Senate's passage of stimulus package

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Leaders of Firehouse Subs, Boloco and the National Restaurant Association weigh in on if the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act goes far enough…

Is your restaurant speaking the COVID-19-era customer's language?

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

The seismic shift that COVID-19 has put on everything about restaurant "life as usual" demands an equally substantial shift in marketing and communication…

Smashburger, AMC Theatres execs among leaders weighing in on COVID-19, shrinking kitchens

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Leaders from AMC Theaters, Wing Zone, Smashburger, Four Foods Group and Middleby discuss how they are changing their kitchen designs to stay profitable, while…

7shifts debuts 7tasks to track tasks, boost accountability

March 10, 2020

Restaurant software platform 7shifts is launching a platform called 7tasks that lets restaurant managers create and delegate task lists for workers that also…

Subway names former Carrabba president as operating, insights chief

March 10, 2020

Subway Chief Operating and Insights Officer Mike Kappitt (photo provided).  Subway restaurants has named former Carrabba's Italian Grill President…

HMSHost taps former Jamba, Starbucks exec as COO

March 2, 2020

HMSHost, a restaurateur known for operating in airports and motorways, has appointed industry veteran Joe Thornton as EVP and COO. He will oversee HMSHost…

Mystery shopper company launches franchise brand standards + compliance division

February 26, 2020

Toledo-based mystery shopper company IntelliShop said today it has created a brand standards and compliance division to tackle three franchise/chain brand…

RFIS 2020 Sponsor Preview: Decision Logic

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

When experienced restaurant operators joined forces with expert technologists to form a comprehensive back-office platform, Decision Logic came to the industry.

Franchisors enjoy more protection under final joint-employee ruling

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 25, 2020

Suing parent companies whose franchisees are involved in labor law violations just got harder. The National Labor Relations Board Tuesday reversed the Obama…

Why dark kitchens can be bright business moves for QSRs

by Syd Bishop — Content Specialist, QSR Automations

Dark kitchens — a.k.a. virtual, ghost or cloud kitchens — are becoming the new little darling of the restaurant industry. Here are some guidelines on how to…

WorkJam buys staffing platform Forge

February 19, 2020

Digital workplace solutions provider WorkJam is acquiring Forge, an on-demand staffing platform, according to a press release. The move will help WorkJam…

Challenges Facing Restaurants in 2020

Restaurants are up against more than ever. While margins are as thin as always, labor, food, regulations and competition continue to rise. But restaurants also…

Presented by SynergySuite

Buy or Build: A Guide to Avoiding Frankenware

By covering the differences between companies who build through acquisition vs as a holistic product, readers will learn the pros and cons of each, how to spot…

Presented by SynergySuite

WeWork launches workspace for restaurants

February 13, 2020

WeWork Food Labs — designed for food-focused entrepreneurs and companies that need a collaborative and flexible workspace — is now open in New York City. The…