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Fast Casual

Emerging Brands

Chipotle officially kills Farmesa as potential second concept

 By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 25, 2024

Farmesa's healthful bowl menu was tested but CEO Brian Niccol said the company is focused on growing Chipotle into an iconic brand.

Operations

Cava is ready to bring its bowls to the Midwest

 By Heather Lalley on Apr. 25, 2024

The Mediterranean fast casual will debut Friday in Chicago, and the chain’s co-founder said it plans to open “a bunch” of restaurants to the Windy City and its suburbs.

Food

BurgerFi launches the Better Burger Lab as an innovation pipeline

By Patricia Cobe on Apr. 24, 2024

The remodeled NYC location gives guests a chance to sample and provide feedback on new menu items before they roll out systemwide.

Operations

Chipotle raises menu prices in California up to 7%

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 24, 2024

California's AB1228 pushed the fast-casual chain's wage up 20% and menu price hikes will cover the cost. But with first-quarter traffic up more than 5%, Chipotle officials are not worried.

Operations

Qdoba and Chipotle to pay millions to settle alleged labor violations in Washington state

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 22, 2024

Qdoba agreed to pay $3.8 million to settle a pay transparency lawsuit. Chipotle agreed to pay more than $3 million in a case related to alleged scheduling and paid leave violations in Seattle.

Operations

Chipotle's first international franchised location officially opens in Kuwait

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 22, 2024

Franchisee Alshaya Group plans to open four Chipotle units in the Middle East this year.

Operations

Flynn Group and Jet's Pizza to add drone delivery from select units

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 19, 2024

Locations of Flynn's Panera Bread units in Seattle, and some Jet's restaurants in Detroit plan to offer drone delivery using the Zipline system.

Emerging Brands

P.F. Chang's opens a fast-casual Asian bowl concept

By Peter Romeo on Apr. 16, 2024

A Pagoda by P.F. Chang's is operating in a suburban New York shopping mall. It's the chain's third crack at a fast-casual spinoff.

Food

Einstein Bros. Bagels taps maple for new breakfast sandwich

By Patricia Cobe on Apr. 15, 2024

The fast-casual bagel chain's Maplehouse Egg Sandwich launches Wednesday for a limited run.

Leadership

The 2024 Pacesetter Award goes to: Cava

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 14, 2024

The newly public fast-casual chain Cava has carved out a sweet spot with a fresh and healthful Mediterranean menu with broad appeal. The brand was honored at the Restaurant Leadership Conference in Phoenix on Sunday.

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