POPULARITY
Dave's Hot Chicken takes home their second Fast Casual Top 100 award in three years! Join hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler as they sit down with Jim Bitticks, President & COO of Dave's Hot Chicken, to discuss the brand's explosive growth from 4 to 312+ locations in just five years. Discover how they built 3.6 million TikTok followers through authentic user-generated content, innovated with viral products like top-loaded shakes and cauliflower tenders, and maintained startup agility while scaling rapidly. From their organic social media strategy to their legendary marketing team led by industry veterans, learn the secrets behind one of fast-casual's hottest success stories.~This episode is sponsored by: Gusto → https://gusto.pxf.io/PBN ~#1 rated HR platform for payroll, benefits, and moreWith Gusto's easy-to-use platform, you can empower your people and push your business forward. See why over 400,000 businesses choose Gusto.DavesHotChicken #FastCasualTop100 #RestaurantMastermindsGet Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
Join Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler as they explore fast casual's global expansion with brands like Teriyaki Madness and Mason's Famous Lobster making international debuts. Discover how beverage innovation—from craft mocktails to full bars—is reshaping the segment while fast casual continues to outperform both QSR and casual dining in same-store sales. The hosts analyze Chili's strategic positioning against QSR, discuss the $20+ hourly wages transforming restaurant labor markets, and preview FastCasual.com's 10th anniversary Top 100 gala plus blockchain payment solutions that could eliminate processing fees for operators.FastCasualNation #RestaurantInnovation #FoodserviceTrendsGet Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
In this engaging Fast Casual Nation episode, hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler interview Josh Spiegelman of Roam Artisan Burgers about transforming the better burger segment. Discover how this six-location Bay Area concept balances premium sourcing (100% grass-fed beef, free-range turkey) with accessible pricing while innovating through Web3 loyalty, thoughtful store design, and sustainability initiatives. Spiegelman reveals how Roam attracts Gen Z through transparency, creates memorable in-store experiences despite digital growth, and develops creative partnerships—including an upcoming champagne and fried chicken sliders event—demonstrating how smaller fast casual brands can successfully differentiate in a competitive market.BetterBurgerBusiness #FastCasualInnovation #SustainableRestaurantsGet Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
In this eye-opening episode of Fast Casual Nation, hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler sit down with Mark Lohmann, CEO of the rapidly growing chicken concept Birdcall. Discover how this 15-unit brand is disrupting the competitive chicken sandwich space with its award-winning food, proprietary "Poncho" technology system, and strategic growth approach. Lohmann shares valuable insights on balancing big-brand experience with startup agility, achieving $2.5M AUVs while maintaining hospitality excellence, and their recent expansion into iconic venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Whether you're a restaurant operator, franchise investor, or industry enthusiast, this conversation reveals the recipe behind Birdcall's success and their vision for smart growth in the fast casual landscape.FastCasualInnovation #ChickenSandwichWars #RestaurantTechGet Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
Fast Casual Nation hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler interview Cassidy Jones, founder of Atlanta's LOL Burger Bar, who reveals how she's disrupting the better burger segment with creative menu items like acronym-named burgers and over-the-top "freak shakes." With two locations already operating and plans for a food truck, Jones shares her ambitious franchising strategy, social media marketing approach including celebrity collaborations, and advice for entrepreneurs while demonstrating how her female leadership provides an advantage in the male-dominated restaurant industry.FastCasualInnovation #BurgerBusiness #RestaurantEntrepreneurshipGet Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
In this episode of Fast Casual Nation, hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler interview Hady Kfoury, CEO of fast-growing Middle Eastern concept NAYA. Kfoury shares how his Lebanese-inspired brand has grown to 31 locations with plans for 200 by 2030. The conversation covers NAYA's Chipotle-inspired assembly line model, strategic positioning in the Northeast, digital ordering evolution, and innovative approaches to attract Gen Z consumers while balancing ethnic authenticity with mainstream appeal.FastCasualNation #MediterraneanCuisine #RestaurantInnovationGet Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
Fast Casual Nation hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler interview Buena Papa founders James and Joanna Windon about their innovative loaded fries concept. The Colombian-inspired brand serves premium hand-cut fries topped with global flavors like their signature Mexicano. From humble beginnings in a Raleigh food hall to a $400,000 Shark Tank deal with Robert Herjavec, Buena Papa has overcome challenges like teaching customers fries can be a full meal. Their Chipotle-style service model, distinctive packaging, and freshly-prepared potatoes have helped them build a universal appeal that's now expanding through franchising.FastCasualNation #LoadedFries #RestaurantInnovationGet Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
In this episode of Fast Casual Nation, hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler interview Jane McPherson, SVP of Marketing at Penn Station East Coast Subs. McPherson discusses the brand's impressive growth to 320 locations across 14 states, their strategic approach to technology adoption, and commitment to quality through their signature cheesesteaks and fresh-cut fries. She shares insights on their purposeful geographic expansion, selective tech implementation including new digital wallets, controlled third-party delivery partnerships, and award-winning franchise training program that has earned recognition as a top franchise for women in business.~This episode is sponsored by: Gusto → https://gusto.pxf.io/PBN#1 rated HR platform for payroll, benefits, and moreWith Gusto's easy-to-use platform, you can empower your people and push your business forward. See why over 400,000 businesses choose Gusto.#FastCasualNation #PennStationSubs #RestaurantLeadershipFastCasualNation #PennStationSubs #RestaurantLeadershipGet Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
Fast Casual expert Cherryh Cansler joins Restaurant Masterminds to reveal how Gen Z is revolutionizing the restaurant industry in 2025. From the rise of GLP-1 medications affecting menu development to the death of traditional loyalty programs, this episode dives deep into the forces reshaping fast casual dining. Discover why technology integration is becoming make-or-break for brands, how TikTok is driving food trends, and why the next generation of consumers demands total transparency from restaurants. Plus, learn about the emerging trend of experiential rewards replacing traditional discounts and why your brand's tech stack might be holding you back.FastCasual2025 #RestaurantIndustry #FoodTrendsAre you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. ➡ Visit www.savor.fmFollow on X: Savor_fm
In this MB episode, Zack dives into a vast array of topics with the Queen of Fast Casual (also the Editor of Fast Casual Magazine), Cherryh Cansler. We discuss technology within F&B, trends with sweets/treats, the rise (and fall) of different food trends and all about the events Fast Casual puts on each year.
In the latest episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg “The Restaurant Guy” and Jimmy Frischling “ The Finance Guy” were on the road at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit in Nashville. Schatzberg and Frischling chat with Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., Josh Goodman, Founder & CEO, of PourMyBeer, Cherryh Cansler, Editor of FastCasual.com and VP of Events at Networld Media Group, and Josh Halpern, CEO at Big Chicken, about the summit and latest innovations in technology being highlighted at RFIS. Dickey, stops by and talks about being back in person at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit, being a presenter at the summit and how data is driving the restaurant industry. She talks about the importance of being able to pull data, clean it, and present it back in a way that is simple and actionable. She says, “If you can do that with your data, then you're not drowning in that data lake, you could really use that data to drive the business forward.” She shares that Dickey's built and launched its own proprietary data analytics platform 10 years ago. Dickey shares that because of their in-house technology, the restaurant's management is able to run their own POS, loyalty initiatives and scale the business, which now has 550 locations. PourMyBeer, Founder & CEO, Josh Goodman, stops by for his second time on the podcast. He chats with Frischling and Schatzberg about how the other attendees and operators are reacting to the self-serve revolution that PourMyBeer is leading. Goodman talks about partnering with Coca-Cola. He says that by implementing the technology developed by PourMyBeer within the European market, at places like amusement parks, Coca-Cola has seen gains between 140% to 180% in both increased revenue and traction. Goodman shares that whether the company is collaborating with a Mom & Pop shop or at the enterprise level, technology is paramount. He says, “Your technology has to evolve.” He adds, “That's really where we've been focusing our energies, is getting our technology aligned with the various point of sale systems through direct integrations with them, because it all comes down to checks and balances.”Cansler checks in to chat about moderating the summit's session, ‘Getting into the Self-Service Game'. She talks about how operators are eager to enter the self-service space but have questions regarding things such as, how to determine which system is best for their business, what set-up costs look like and ROI. She says, “We're going to let each panelist tell their story about why they've entered self-service, how they're using it, whether it is a kiosk, or a beverage wall, how much it costs, ROI. Everybody wants it, but is it cost effective?” Cansler talks about the overall success of RFIS, adding that over 350 guests are attending this year. Cansler adds, “It's our biggest year yet, even before COVID”. She says that the talk of the summit has been all about innovation, from ‘what's new', to ‘what's going on', to ‘what does the future hold'. Regarding the future, Cansler gives a sneak peek into details for the upcoming Fast Casual Executive Summit, happening this October, in Indianapolis.Big Chicken, CEO, Josh Halpern, talks about his summit session, ‘Executive Perspectives: Inspiration for Today's Restaurant Leaders'. He shares his insights on the importance of working together to mitigate each other's pain points. He says, “We learned there's five pain points; driving traffic, driving check size, being innovative, having well engaged staff and a capable supply chain”. He adds, “So if we work together to mitigate those pain points as an entire community, to make sure the guest has a great experience, franchisees are profitable and suppliers have what they need, beautiful things could happen fast.” To hear more from all of the guests that stopped by Hospitality Hangout at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit, tune into this episode of Hospitality Hangout on Spotify.
In the latest episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg “The Restaurant Guy” and Jimmy Frischling “ The Finance Guy” were on the road at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit in Nashville. Schatzberg and Frischling chat with Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., Josh Goodman, Founder & CEO, of PourMyBeer, Cherryh Cansler, Editor of FastCasual.com and VP of Events at Networld Media Group, and Josh Halpern, CEO at Big Chicken, about the summit and latest innovations in technology being highlighted at RFIS. Dickey, stops by and talks about being back in person at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit, being a presenter at the summit and how data is driving the restaurant industry. She talks about the importance of being able to pull data, clean it, and present it back in a way that is simple and actionable. She says, “If you can do that with your data, then you're not drowning in that data lake, you could really use that data to drive the business forward.” She shares that Dickey's built and launched its own proprietary data analytics platform 10 years ago. Dickey shares that because of their in-house technology, the restaurant's management is able to run their own POS, loyalty initiatives and scale the business, which now has 550 locations. PourMyBeer, Founder & CEO, Josh Goodman, stops by for his second time on the podcast. He chats with Frischling and Schatzberg about how the other attendees and operators are reacting to the self-serve revolution that PourMyBeer is leading. Goodman talks about partnering with Coca-Cola. He says that by implementing the technology developed by PourMyBeer within the European market, at places like amusement parks, Coca-Cola has seen gains between 140% to 180% in both increased revenue and traction. Goodman shares that whether the company is collaborating with a Mom & Pop shop or at the enterprise level, technology is paramount. He says, “Your technology has to evolve.” He adds, “That's really where we've been focusing our energies, is getting our technology aligned with the various point of sale systems through direct integrations with them, because it all comes down to checks and balances.”Cansler checks in to chat about moderating the summit's session, ‘Getting into the Self-Service Game'. She talks about how operators are eager to enter the self-service space but have questions regarding things such as, how to determine which system is best for their business, what set-up costs look like and ROI. She says, “We're going to let each panelist tell their story about why they've entered self-service, how they're using it, whether it is a kiosk, or a beverage wall, how much it costs, ROI. Everybody wants it, but is it cost effective?” Cansler talks about the overall success of RFIS, adding that over 350 guests are attending this year. Cansler adds, “It's our biggest year yet, even before COVID”. She says that the talk of the summit has been all about innovation, from ‘what's new', to ‘what's going on', to ‘what does the future hold'. Regarding the future, Cansler gives a sneak peek into details for the upcoming Fast Casual Executive Summit, happening this October, in Indianapolis.Big Chicken, CEO, Josh Halpern, talks about his summit session, ‘Executive Perspectives: Inspiration for Today's Restaurant Leaders'. He shares his insights on the importance of working together to mitigate each other's pain points. He says, “We learned there's five pain points; driving traffic, driving check size, being innovative, having well engaged staff and a capable supply chain”. He adds, “So if we work together to mitigate those pain points as an entire community, to make sure the guest has a great experience, franchisees are profitable and suppliers have what they need, beautiful things could happen fast.” To hear more from all of the guests that stopped by Hospitality Hangout at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit, tune into this episode of Hospitality Hangout on Spotify.This syndicated content is brought to you by Branded Strategic Hospitality.
In episode 2 of our six-part series on how restaurants are navigating COVID-19, host Bradley Cooper chats with Cherryh Cansler, editor of FastCasual, about how restaurants and foodservice vendors are coming together to help one another as well as their communities by providing free meals and other services.He'll also review this week's news, which includes information on the CARES Act and how one New York acai and smoothie chain is staying alive amid the coronavirus.
Host & QSRweb Editor Shelly Whitehead talks with Fast Casual editor, Cherryh Cansler, about the Fast Casual Top 20 Brands to Watch report. The spotlight interview in this episode focuses on Schlotzsky's President, Kelly Roddy, who shares the brand's new concept 'Austin Eatery' and how they're trying to appeal to Millenials and Gen Z.
Host and QSRweb Editor Shelly Whitehead talks with Fast Casual editor, Cherryh Cansler, about Euromonitor's latest restaurant trend data. Shelly also chats with Urban Bricks founder, Sammy Aldeeb about investing in new concepts, and new restaurant technologies.
Host Will Hernandez, discusses machine learning, with Kount VP of Marketing, Don Bush. Will also chats with Cherryh Cansler, editor of FastCasual, about mobile ordering and the restaurant industry.
Have you heard of FastCasual.com? Its a wealth of knowledge for anyone interested in the multi-faceted restaurant and food sectors. The selection of topics which are covered by Fast Casual was too extensive so we asked Twitter, what they'd like to learn more about. Food Truck Nation was an easy winner, winner, chicken dinner. Jenny had the opportunity to meet with Cherryh Cansler, Managing Editor of FastCasual.com. They talk about the ever growing food truck movement and how it could revolutionize Jenny's smalltown baseball concession stand. Cherryh shares new technologies on the food scene (ie., Fresh Fruit/Veggie Smoothies) and the controversy behind kiosk ordering - think ATM machine meets McDonalds. Time stamps: 1:00 - What does Fast Casual mean? 2:10 - How have food trucks changed the food scene? Even Arby's has a food truck! 3:03 - Making seafood sexy 5:30 - Food trucks and baseball. The perfect match? 6:40 - There are only so many hot dogs you can eat during a baseball season. Are you with me? 7:30 - Food trucks are the new thing for wedding receptions!? 7:51 - Jeremy Wolf 9:04 - The Rock Stars of Social Media 9:40 - New technologies for Fresh Fruit Smoothies 10:55 - Great news! Food ordering kiosks are not putting people out of work 12:08 - How has technology impacted mom and pop businesses? 13:17 - Let's talk about food waste - with smoothie and salad machines increase food waster? Find additional information about today's guest, CherryH Cansler, visit FoodTruckOperator.com FastCasual.com @CherryhFastCas on Twitter