Tagged Articles

bite-sized buzz for September 25, 2025

A new Yoshinoya location in Compton, Calif., introduces the brand’s first double drive-thru in the U.S. But it’s the location's art that most visibly connects the restaurant to its surroundings. 

KFC Gets Saucy

Saucy isn’t just about the sauces, despite the investment Yum! made in developing flavors like spicy mango chutney and jalapeno pesto ranch. Instead, Saucy is about the experience and the feelings it evokes in guests.

Peer to Peer: Kyle Gordon, CEO and Co-founder, Dillas Quesadillas

Founded in 2013, Dillas (pronounced “dill-uhs”) Quesadillas specializes in quality quesadillas served fast alongside french fries (regular or loaded), chips and other sides.

bite-sized buzz for February 2025

Looking for some last-minute Valentine's Day plans? White Castle offers tableside dining and the MGM Grand seeks to reinvent Netflix + chill. As for where our editors will be? Patiently awaiting a newly franchised cat cafe, of course.

Form + Function: Drive-Thru Coffee Restaurant Design

Americans’ demand for coffee continues to be as robust as a potent espresso. In 2024, the number of U.S. adults who have had coffee in the past day increased by 37% since 2004, according to the National Coffee Association.

KFC Debuts Saucy New Concept

A new chicken tender concept Saucy has opened in Orlando, Fla.

Chipotle Hits 1,000 Chipotlanes Milestone

Nearly 30% of the company's 3,600 restaurant locations now feature a Chipotlane. 

Peer to Peer: Debbie Roxarzade, Founder and CEO, Rachel’s Kitchen

Here, Debbie Roxarzade, founder and CEO, addresses the state of play at Rachel’s Kitchen.

Breaking Down Drive-Thrus

Speed and efficiency are the hallmarks of any foodservice operation, but for drive-thrus, these aspects are crucial.

Ellianos Coffee Signs First Store Deal in Tennessee

Drive-Thrus Driving Restaurant Site-Selection

Drive-thrus have been trending since the pandemic broke out in spring 2020.

Suburban Landscapes

Current Trends in Site Selection 

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue Opens Five Locations

Hawaii-based restaurant franchise L&L Hawaiian Barbecue recently opened five new locations including the brand's first stand-alone unit that features a drive-thru.

Swig’s First Franchise Location Opens in Arkansas

Swig opened its first franchise location in Rogers, Ark., earlier this month.

Golden Corral Debuts New Fast Casual Concept

Homeward Kitchen, a new fast-casual concept from Golden Corral Corporation, will open its doors this December.

Rita’s Finds Sweet Success

Desserts are big business and today, more than ever, consumers are seeking restaurants that specialize in them.

Hart House Opens First Drive-Thru Location

Hart House, the plant-based quick-service restaurant founded by actor and comedian Kevin Hart, opened its third location in Los Angeles, Calif., which features the brand's first-ever drive-thru.

Panera Extends Drive-Thru Service Nationwide

Fast-casual chain Panera Bread will now offer drive-thru service nationwide.

EZBachi Announces Hibachi Drive Thru

The fast-casual Japanese teppanyaki grill announced three new franchise locations and one new corporate-owned unit that will feature the first-ever Hibachi restaurant drive-thru.

Best Practices for Designing Small Kitchens

Here are eight best practices for designing an effective small kitchen

Form + Function: Drive-Thrus

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, QDOBA Mexican Grill would not even consider adding drive-thru service to its establishments.

Tech, Outdoor Dining, Drive-Thru: Pandemic Pivots Now Permanent, NRA Reports

The foodservice industry is forecast to reach $997 billion in sales in 2023, driven in part by higher menu prices, according to the recently released National Restaurant Association’s “2023 State of the Restaurant Industry” report.

Jeremiah’s Debuts New Prototype Design

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice debuted a new 1,500-square-foot store layout that will guide the brand as it identifies ways to achieve a more efficient growth model for its franchise system.

Great Harvest Bakery Opens First Ever Drive-Thru

Great Harvest Bakery Cafe, a franchise and specialty bread concept, has recently opened its first location with a fully-functioning drive-thru.

Captain D’s to Develop 10 Units in Memphis Region

Captain D’s recently opened its newest franchised location in Memphis.

New Brand Home Honors Chick-fil-A’s Humble Beginnings

When Chick-fil-A’s design team set out to create a new brand home for the iconic chicken sandwich chain, it did so with the objective of developing a multifaceted, interactive experience.

Schlotzsky's Opens First Drive-Thru-Only Prototype

Sandwich-focused fast-casual Schlotzsky's opened its first Design 1000 restaurant in Oklahoma City.

Design Market: Off-Premises-Only Prototypes

Restaurant chains are now offering a flood of new prototypes that cater to the off-premises-only diner. 

Famous Dave’s BBQ Opens First Drive-Thru Location

Barbeque franchise Famous Dave’s is opening its first drive-thru model. 

Bad Ass Coffee Unveils New Prototypes, Formats 

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii unveiled new prototypes that emphasize franchisee and customer flexibility, including double drive-thru lanes and streamlined order pickups.