Fast-casual unit growth driving increased traffic while restaurant industry sales flat: NPD
Fast casuals are the only segment in the restaurant industry that are growing traffic, says a report from NPD. The Chicago-based research firm has seen traffic grow 6 percent annually over the most recent five years. According to the NPD Fall 2017 ReCount restaurant census. The growth leaders among fast-casual chains included Chipotle, Panera, Panda Express, and Raising Cane's. Fast casuals have appealed to households with incomes of $100K or more.
Fast-casual Honeygrow expands in MidAtlantic Region
Fast casual restaurants in the Washington, D.C. area continue to grow, as Philadelphia-based Honeygrow expands further in the MidAtlantic region. Honeygrow, which focuses on new and different stir-fry combinations, has 32 locations open across 10 states, currently—with 18 of those stores now open in the MidAtlantic. Stores in D.C. area include Chinatown, Reston, Pentagon City, and Rockville.
Popeyes adds Uber Eats restaurant delivery to five markets
Under a partnership with Uber Eats, Popeyes will add delivery to its restaurants in the cities of Chicago, Miami, New York, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. Using the Uber Eats mobile app and UberEats.com, guests can order menu items to be delivered to their homes or offices.