News
The Melt heats up growth with franchising strategy
1+ day, 12+ hour ago (162+ words) San Francisco-based The Melt is seeking experienced multi-unit restaurant operators to help expand its presence in California and Arizona, where it owns and operates 20 locations. "We took a very thoughtful approach to franchising The Melt," Greg Vojnovic, the company's head…...
Birdcall to open at Coors Field
2+ day, 49+ min ago (171+ words) Birdcallwill open its newest restaurant at Coors Field in Denver when the Colorado Rockies host the Philadelphia Phillies for their April 3 home opener. The fast-casual chicken restaurant and its exterior "Birdcall Deck" will be located on the newly renovated mezzanine…...
FastCasual opens nominations for 2026 'Perfect Pitch"
2+ day, 10+ hour ago (338+ words) Nominations close June 8. Fast casual brands looking for a national spotlight and a six-figure investment opportunity have until June 8 to enter the industry's premier startup competition. The Fast Casual Executive Summit has officially opened nominations for The Perfect Pitch, a…...
Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken makes Honduras debut
3+ day, 22+ hour ago (151+ words) Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken makes Honduras debut'fastcasual.com Big Chicken, the fast-casual brand founded by former NBA player and entrepreneur Shaquille O'Neal, has opened two restaurants in Honduras, marking its expansion into Central America. The units opened in March at…...
Shake Shack breaks into Top 50 US restaurants by consumer spending
6+ day, 21+ hour ago (301+ words) Shake Shack has entered the top 50 U.S. restaurant brands as measured by total consumer spending, according to Circana's 2026 Definitive U.S. Restaurant Ranking Report. The report, which tracks consumer spending trends and brand performance throughout 2025, reveals a resilient industry where Americans spent an…...
NAYA to open 17 restaurants in 2026
6+ day, 21+ hour ago (161+ words) Lebanese fast-casual brand NAYAplans to open 17 new locations this year. The New York City-based chain already launched two units during 2026 in Kendall Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Jersey City, New Jersey, bringing its total to 43. Second-quarter openings are on track for…...
Vicious Biscuit revamps cocktail menu after guest feedback
1+ week, 49+ min ago (170+ words) Fast-casual brunch chain Vicious Biscuitupdated its cocktail menu in response to guest feedback and internal testing that showed higher demand for brunch-specific drinks. The chain, headquartered in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, also expanded its mimosa selection, offering cranberry, apple and…...
Miso Robotics’ Flippy Fry Station robot surpasses 5M baskets
1+ week, 1+ day ago (193+ words) Miso Robotics' AI-powered Flippy Fry Station robot has surpassed 5 million fried baskets across live restaurant operations. The milestone follows a recent installation at Insert Coin in Washington state, which brings Flippy's presence to restaurants in seven U.S. states. Pasadena, California-based Miso…...
Wonder pilots Indian cuisine concept
1+ week, 1+ day ago (171+ words) Wonderhas added Indian cuisine brand Dabba to its mealtime platform with a pilot launch at four Philadelphia-area locations. The New York City company introduced Dabba at 600 W. DeKalb Pike in King of Prussia; 17 W. Lancaster Ave., in Ardmore; 2327 Cottman Ave., in Northeast…...
From plates to bytes: Hawaiian Bros uses digital catering to expand
1+ week, 21+ hour ago (517+ words) Hawaiian Bros Island Grill turned to Lunchbox's digital catering platform to meet the growing demand for group orders. The move also allowed the Hawaiian comfort-food brand to expand to a new audience. March 26, 2026 by Amy Sorter " Writer and Editor, Networld…...