FastCasual reveals 10 most-read stories of 2023

The holidays are upon us and 2023 is almost over, which means it's time for us to reveal the year's most-read stories. From restaurant openings and the loss of an industry leader to changes in ownership and award-winning brands, 2023's most popular stories are below.

10.Fiesta sold to Authentic Restaurant Brands
Authentic Restaurant Brands, a portfolio company of New York-based principal investment firm Garnett Station Partners, completed its acquisition in October 2023, of Fiesta Restaurant Group, the parent company of Florida-based Pollo Tropical, which has nearly 150 locations.

"Our distinct vision for Pollo Tropical is to amplify the fundamental aspects of the brand that customers love and expand its capabilities to deliver high-quality, affordable food in a casual setting," Alex Macedo, chairman of Authentic Restaurant Brands, said in a press release. "ARB's extensive knowledge of regional restaurant markets and expertise in growing local brands will be crucial in developing and cultivating Pollo Tropical as a leading restaurant concept."
Read the full story here.

9. Mothers know best: How Heritage Eats founders became 'taco purists'
Although technically published in December 2022, this feature story about Mothers' Tacos co-founder Ben Koenig garnered a lot of clicks well into 2023. He and his wife, Ali, opened their restaurant in honor of their mothers.

"Growing up it was my mother who did all of the cooking and who inspired me to get into this line of work," Koenig told FastCasual. "The same can be said of Ali, my wife, whose mother is from Mexico City. You can say, in a way, this restaurant is a nod to them."

The Napa, California-based couple, who also own Heritage Eats, the Napa Valley Lobster Co. and launched a food truck during the pandemic, created the concept on a trip to Mexico City over plates of taco al pastor — slices of meat, topped with pineapple, diced onions, cilantro and spicy salsa served over handmade tortillas.
Read the full story here.

8. 3 restaurant tech trends with staying power in 2023
Executives from Chipotle, Jersey Mike's, Big Chicken, Modern Market, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Focus Brands and Garden Catering revealed the technologies they deemed worthy of investment.

Once viewed as "trendy, innovative or cutting-edge," fast casual executives are using technology to manage a variety of tasks, including:

1. Controlling ordering and loyalty programs.

2. Increasing the speed of service to improve the customer experience.

3. Engaging, training and managing workers.
   Read the full story here.

7. 8 Restaurant tech trends you can't ignore in 2023
Qu CMO Jenifer Kern highlights eight trends that restaurant operators need to embrace in a rapidly progressing digital world where efficiency is no longer an easy equation.
Read about all eight here and see if her predictions, published in March 2023, panned out.

6. Dave's Hot Chicken named FastCasual's Top 100 Mover & Shaker

The Dave's Hot Chicken team is shown receiving the top award at FastCasual's Top 100 Movers & Shakers gala. Photo: Networld Media Group.

Dave's Hot Chicken took top honors on May 19, 2023, at the Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers awards gala, proving the 5-year-old brand is here to stay.

The gala was held in Chicago at the LondonHouse, where Jim Bittick, president and COO, accepted the award.

Dave's Hot Chicken, which started as a parking lot pop-up in Hollywood, celebrated its 100th opening in 2022 and has commitments to open 742 stores — 75 to come by year's end.
Read about all the brands that made the 2023 list.

5. Women in the Lead 2023: Honoring 21 of fast casual's top female leaders
In celebration of International Women's Day, FastCasual interviewed 21 leaders of the fast casual industry.
Read the full story here.

4. Dine Brands acquiring Fuzzy's Tacos for $80M
Dine Brands Global Inc., the franchisor of Applebee's Grill + Bar and IHOP restaurants, announced in December 2022 that it was buying Fuzzy's Taco Shop from NRD Capital Management for $80 million.

"This transaction is a textbook example of how NRD identifies and grows brands, which can result in successful outcomes for all stakeholders, including company management, company employees, franchisees and investors of NRD Capital," Aziz Hashim, NRD managing partner, said in a company press release. "NRD is incredibly proud of the work it has done alongside the talented Fuzzy's Taco Shop team to drive growth and propel value creation."
Read the full story here.

3. Slim Chickens opens 2nd Maryland location
Readers were interested in Arkansas-based Slim Chickens' opening of its second location in Maryland, in the city of California.

"We are so excited to open a new location in Maryland bringing even more opportunities for chicken lovers to enjoy our southern comfort food paired with a variety of homemade dipping sauces," Jackie Lobdell, vice president of franchise development at Slim Chickens, said in a company press release. "Established operating groups like D&D Slims that are dedicated and eager to share Slims' flavorful food and welcoming environment are the type of investors we are seeking to connect with."
Read the full story here.

2. Smoke's Poutinerie founder dead at age 50

Smoke's Poutinerie Founder and Chief Entertainment Officer Ryan Smolkin keynotes the 2019 Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit in Louisville. Photo: Networld Media Group.

Earlier this year, the fast casual industry mourned the loss of Smoke's Poutinerie founder and Chief Entertainment Officer Ryan Smolkin, 50. He died Oct. 29, after suffering unexpected complications from a recent surgery, according to a company press release.

Smolkin, who formerly owned one of Canada's top branding and design companies with a roster of industry-leading clients including Nike, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Sims Snowboards, Molson Breweries, Corus Entertainment and YTV, founded Smoke's Poutinerie in 2009.
Read the full story here.

1. Mr Pickle's makes Arizona debut

Published in January 2023, the story of Mr. Pickle's Sandwich Shop opening its first Arizona-based location was FastCasual's most-read story of 2023.

"Since 1995, Mr. Pickle's has been a premier sandwich shop specializing in innovative and craveworthy sandwiches, salads and catering," CEO Mike Nelson said in a company press release."During its first three decades, thanks to its community culture, incredible recipes, and all its fans, the brand grew from one to 56 locations across northern California. We look forward to building this brand that now calls Arizona home, as well as helping grow it nationwide in the years to come."

In addition to carrying its full menu and adding recipes that fit the market, Mr. Pickle's will continue its relationships with vendors as it grows,

In addition to carrying its full menu and adding recipes that fit the market, Mr. Pickle's will continue its relationships with vendors as it grows, notably Frito-Lay, Dirty Chip, Pepsi, Foster Farms, Max's Artisan Breads, Best Foods and Hidden Valley. Photo: Mr Pickle's

notably Frito-Lay, Dirty Chip, Pepsi, Foster Farms, Max's Artisan Breads, Best Foods and Hidden Valley. It also partners with DoorDash and invested in Paytronix Systems Inc. to offer a digital guest experience platform.

"We partner with as many artisan bakers, regional farms and ranches that we can when sourcing our products, making every item unique to us," said Nelson, who bought the brand in 2020 and has spent the past year bringing its into the digital age. "You will not see six-inch and foot-long sizing from us, more specialty breads than uniform options."

With Nelson's purchase of the brand, he moved its national headquarters from California to Arizona in 2022, opening an office at 9332 Raintree in Scottsdale. Its franchisee support center is located in California.

In addition to launching the Scottsdale headquarters and opening the first Arizona location, Nelson — a veteran of the restaurant business with over 30 years of experience as an owner and operator of Wingstop, Subway Restaurants and Carl's Jr. franchises nationwide — will open a handful of Mr. Pickle's locations across the Valley over the next 18 months, including a second location in Scottsdale as well as restaurants in Chandler, Laveen, Surprise and Queen Creek. The brand also continues expansion in California, with up to 20 locations over the next seven years.