Fast Casual News

Fat Brands, the parent of Fatburger, Johnny Rockets and several other fast-casual brands, has agreed to merge with its majority shareholder, Fog Cutter Capital Group (FCCG)

Fat Brands to merge with majority shareholder Fog Cutter Capital Group

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Merger frees up parent of Fatburger to more easily grow through acquisitions

Fat Brands, the parent of Fatburger, Johnny Rockets and several other fast-casual brands, has agreed to merge with its majority shareholder, Fog Cutter Capital Group (FCCG). The merger will remove the need for FCCG to hold an over-80-percent share of Fat Brands stock for the restaurant company to utilize its $100M of net opening loss carry-forwards (NOLs). The move also increases Fat Brands’ financial flexibility and will better-position it for future acquisitions, according to an announcement.

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Boston Market expanded a variety of holiday meal options: Whole Roasted Turkey, Spiral-Sliced Ham and Rotisserie Prime Rib

Boston Market expands holiday meal options, including Whole Roasted Turkey, Prime Rib, Spiral-Sliced Ham

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Fast-casual rotisserie chain looks to boost holiday-time business

Boston Market expanded a variety of meal options for the 2020 holiday season. Whole Roasted Turkey, Spiral-Sliced Ham and Rotisserie Prime Rib make up the Heat & Serve meals collection. These come with sides, appetizers and pies, serving four to 12 people at about $10 per person. The 300-unit fast-casual restaurant chain also expanded catering, in-restaurant a-la-carte and home-delivery options, as well.

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Fast-casual Smashburger launched a new, limited time Pulled Pork Tailgater Burger. The sandwich features a savory, slow-smoked pulled pork with caramelized onions

Smashburger rolls out limited-time Pulled Pork Tailgater Burger with $2 beer special

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Better-burger chain’s Tailgater uses game-day themes, appeal

Fast-casual Smashburger launched a new, limited time Pulled Pork Tailgater Burger. The sandwich features a savory, slow-smoked pulled pork with caramelized onions, Swiss cheese and Certified Angus Beef inside a pretzel bun with spicy mustard. At participating locations and where permissible, the better-burger chain is also offering a beer special for $2 to customers over the age of 21 and with the purchase of food.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill is testing smoked brisket at several locations in Cincinnati, Ohio and in Sacramento, California...the 64-unit test

Chipotle Mexican Grill tests Smoked Brisket in select US markets

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Limited-time protein to be validated via stage-gate process in Cincinnati, Sacramento

Chipotle Mexican Grill is testing smoked brisket at several locations in Cincinnati, Ohio and in Sacramento, Calif. The 64-unit test will feature the latest potential protein addition to the Chipotle menu. These stores will test a smoked beef brisket, seasoned with a spice blend, that will be seared at restaurant grills, and prepared with a Mexican-pepper sauce, according to an announcement.

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Starting Monday, November 30, Panera will offer coffee subscriptions as part of a gift package

Panera Bread promotes MyPanera+ Coffee Subscription as holiday gift-giving solution

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Bakery-cafe chain to offer gift subscriptions starting November 30

Panera Bread launched a new Cyber Monday promotion to put the spotlight on its MyPanera+ Coffee Subscription program. Starting Monday, November 30, Panera will offer coffee subscriptions as part of a gift package. Through the gift coffee subscription, customers will be able to purchase and send MyPanera+ to people on their holiday shopping list at a discount.

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Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division has taken a significant stake in Zaxby’s. The strategic investment should propel its growth

Goldman Sachs affiliate takes significant stake in Zaxby’s

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Investment should propel growth at 900-unit chicken chain

Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division, a Goldman Sachs affiliate, has taken a significant stake in Zaxby’s. The strategic investment should propel the growth of the fast-casual chicken chain and provide growth in sales channels that may not have been previously accessible. The deal should be completed by the end of the year.

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