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Fast_Casual

Leadership

Why Hopdoddy CEO Jeff Chandler thinks it's a good time for better-burger brands

 By Lisa Jennings on Feb. 03, 2026

The fast-casual chain is planning to accelerate growth after growing traffic during a difficult 2025.

Operations

Torchy's Tacos set to close 7 restaurants next month

 By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 27, 2026

The move follows another six closures late last year as the fast-casual chain evaluates performance across the portfolio. But growth is also planned, officials say.

Financing

Jersey Mike's CEO Charlie Morrison doesn't want to ruin a good thing

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 20, 2026

The Bottom Line: The fast-food sandwich chain’s chief executive acknowledges that consumers are paying close attention to any changes the company makes under its new owners.

Emerging Brands

Parent company of Chopt and Dos Toros acquires Protein Bar & Kitchen

By Patricia Cobe on Jan. 15, 2026

Founders Table Restaurant Group will expand its fast-casual portfolio with the addition of the 19-unit health-focused concept.

Financing

Why are some restaurant chains struggling in Texas?

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 14, 2026

The Bottom Line: Portillo’s and Salad and Go both struggled in their bids to go big in Texas. They’re not the first restaurant chains to be enamored with the state and its growth only to stumble later.

Financing

Why Peter Cancro is the best person to take Jersey Mike's to Europe

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 13, 2026

The sandwich chain’s founder and current chairman, who sold the company last year, will develop 400 locations in the U.K. and Ireland in its first major international development agreement outside North America.

Financing

Rob Lynch has big plans for Shake Shack

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 12, 2026

The fast-casual burger chain has changed its strategy under Lynch to be a more everyday occasion. Here’s how, and why, the company’s CEO believes that is the right strategy.

Financing

The problem with salads

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 09, 2026

The Bottom Line: Salad and Go and Sweetgreen are two different restaurant chains. But their respective challenges speak to the same problem: There is only so much demand for salad.

Food

Sweetfin taps fine-dining chef Daniel Patterson in a move to go beyond poké

By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 08, 2026

The fast-casual concept is adding elevated bowls with warm proteins like roasted chicken, tri-tip and cooked salmon for the first time in a bid to appeal to those who might veto raw fish.

Technology

Sweetgreen completes sale of Spyce robotics business to Wonder

By Joe Guszkowski on Jan. 02, 2026

The $186.4 million deal will free the fast-casual salad chain to focus on growth and operations while allowing Wonder to pursue plans to automate its kitchens.

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