Fast Casual recently announced the winners of its annual Top Movers & Shakers award. According to the publication, in 2025 they recognized 100 brands and 25 leaders, who are propelling the fast casual industry forward.
We are very excited to be partnering with 30 of these outstanding brands and six esteemed top executives who won awards!
The article notes, the brands selected for the Top 100 list earned recognition for a range of attributes including profitability, innovation, menu creation, technology use, sustainability efforts, streamlining operations and futureproofing their businesses.
At PAR Punchh, we are always amazed by the various ways that our customers use our solutions and services, each of them displaying innovation, agility, and creativity to amplify their brand presence. We’re happy to highlight how some of our brands, who were recognized this year, are leveraging their data-rich loyalty programs to elevate the customer experience across all of today’s digital and physical guest touch points to build relationships and expand their businesses.
- Farmer Boys continues to lean into its farm-fresh values while scaling smartly through technology. With its “Very Important Farmer” (VIF) loyalty app, upgraded website, and robust guest feedback program, the brand has been able to stay true to its roots while delivering modern convenience and hospitality. The addition of box meal catering and new tech integrations further support its record-breaking growth year.
- Fazoli’s, known for its craveable Italian fare and endless breadsticks, refreshed its loyalty program and mobile experience in 2024 and saw double-digit guest growth. With catering now making up 20% of its sales and new AI ordering on the horizon, the brand is turning classic comfort into a digital-first experience that attracts younger diners and supports continued expansion.
- MAD Greens made serious moves in 2024 by enhancing both operations and guest loyalty. Its MAD Rewards program drove record sign-ups and now accounts for 25% of total sales. As the brand looks toward franchise growth and nontraditional expansion in 2025, its focus on customer engagement, operational efficiency, and menu innovation is setting the pace.
- Torchy’s Tacos brought the heat last year—not just with bold flavors, but also with big brand moves. The Austin-based chain became the Official Taco & Queso of the Kansas City Chiefs, revamped its loyalty program, and implemented AI phone ordering. With a focus on deepening guest connections and local field marketing in 2025, Torchy’s is all-in on delivering next-level experiences.
- Fuzzy’s Taco Shop is turning up the volume on growth and digital engagement. With plans to open 40 new locations and key leadership hires in place, the brand is investing in targeted digital marketing and loyalty-driven campaigns to fuel future success. Their renewed focus on rewards through the app is helping strengthen guest relationships as they scale.
We can testify that all of them fully deserve the honors because we have been watching them adopt bold and new approaches to grow their businesses. They have been developing new and exciting menu items, adopting cutting-edge technologies to deliver a seamless and personalized customer experience, and building a community of loyal customers and brand advocates
As we celebrate their achievements, we invite you to delve into the inspiring stories behind each brand’s success. Learn how leading restaurants harness data-driven loyalty initiatives to drive game-changing influence in a dynamic, fast-paced industry like fast casual dining.