Fast Casual

Fast Casual, Franchising, Growth, News

Sisters Help Power Island Fin Poké Co.’s Franchise Expansion

Women’s History Month celebrates female leadership, and at Island Fin Poké Co., two young sisters are at the helm of the brand’s national growth.   What began as a single family-run shop has grown into a rapidly expanding fast-casual franchise. As Island Fin scales, Taylor and Zoe Setterington are playing a pivotal role in shaping its […]

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Breakfast, Fast Casual, Fast Food, Menu Innovations, News, Story

Why Comfort is the New Currency at Breakfast

At one point, breakfast menus leaned heavily into inspirational eating with lighter, healthier options meant to help guests start the day on the right note. That era of avocado toast stacked high for Instagram appears to be fading, says George McLaughlin, cofounder and CEO of fast-casual breakfast and brunch chain Vicious Biscuit. “There’s been this […]

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Fast Casual, Franchising, Growth, News, pizza

Happy Joe’s Comes to Oro Valley, Arizona

Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream is bringing its signature brand of fun to The Grand Canyon State for the first time, celebrating the opening of its Tucson-area location with a signature pizza-cutting ceremony that puts the brand’s playful spirit front and center. Located at 11695 N. Oracle Rd., Happy Joe’s opens its doors with a […]

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Fast Casual, Franchising, Growth, News, Sandwiches

McAlister’s Boasts 265-Unit Growth Pipeline

GoTo Foods, home to seven iconic brands including Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba?, McAlister’s Deli, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and Schlotzsky’s Deli, is accelerating McAlister’s Deli’s U.S. expansion. Based on franchise agreements signed in 2025, franchisees committed to develop 58 new restaurants. In total, signed franchise agreements now commit franchisees to develop 265 McAlister’s Deli restaurants nationwide […]

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Fast Casual, News

Two Sisters Help Lead Island Fin Poké Co.’s Growth

Women’s History Month celebrates female leadership, and at Island Fin Poké Co., two young sisters are at the helm of the brand’s national growth.   What began as a single family-run shop has grown into a rapidly expanding fast-casual franchise. As Island Fin scales, Taylor and Zoe Setterington are playing a pivotal role in shaping its […]

The post Two Sisters Help Lead Island Fin Poké Co.’s Growth appeared first on QSR Magazine.

Fast Casual, Franchising, Growth, News, pizza

Mountain Mike’s Pizza Opens in Edmond, Oklahoma

Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a leading family-style pizza chain for over 45 years, known for its legendary crispy, curly pepperonis, massive 20-inch Mountain-sized pizzas and dough made fresh daily, is continuing its growth in Oklahoma with the opening of its Edmond location. Marking the brand’s second location in the Sooner State, the restaurant is owned and operated by Edmond locals and husband-and-wife duo Jesse and Mona […]

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Fast Casual, Growth, News, Sandwiches

Fatback Opens in Chicago with Sandwiches, Rotisserie Chicken, and Butcher Market

Chef Charlie McKenna, in collaboration with Chicago’s The Fifty/50 Group, have officially opened Fatback. Located at 176 West Wacker Drive, the concept introduces a “desk-to-dinner” destination that merges the precision of fine dining kitchens with the approachability of a neighborhood butcher shop. The shop will operate Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., serving as […]

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Burgers, Fast Casual, Franchising, Growth, News

Wayback Burgers Opens in Stratford, Connecticut

Wayback Burgers, America’s favorite hometown burger joint and one of the nation’s fastest-growing burger franchises, today announced the official opening of its newest location at 2850 Main Street in Stratford, CT on Monday, March 9. The new restaurant brings 40 new jobs to the area, contributing to the local economy and expanding the brand’s presence […]

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Fast Casual, Marketing & Promotions, News, pizza

Pie Five Celebrates Pi Day with Weeklong BOGO Promotion

Pie Five is leaning into the math-themed holiday with a weeklong promotion designed to drive traffic and loyalty engagement across its nationwide footprint. From March 9–15, Pie Five is celebrating Pi Week with a buy-one-get-one offer on personal pizzas for Circle of Crust loyalty members, with the lower-priced pizza automatically discounted at checkout. On National […]

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Consumer Trends, Fast Casual, Fast Food, Finance, Franchising, News, Story

QSR Franchising Industry Slated for Cautious Growth in 2026

Given the backdrop of ongoing cost and traffic challenges, the International Franchise Association projected a conservative 0.5 growth rate for the QSR sector in 2026, according to its latest Franchising Outlook Report. That would take the number of QSR franchise establishments to roughly 281,000 units employing 5.2 million people. And aligned with 2026’s tempered pace, […]

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