Speaker Spotlight: Jeff Perera, co-founder, vice president, Jeff's Bagel Run
Jeff Perera, co-founder and vice president of Jeff's Bagel Run, shares a look at his career, his achievements and industry trends ahead of his appearance at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit 2026.
read nowMore Event NewsHow top franchise brands turn culture into direct profitability
by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group
Industry leaders will gather at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit to share actionable strategies for transforming workplace culture and technology into a powerful engine for talent retention and long-term profitability.
read nowMore FeaturesThe future of hiring in restaurants is more human than we think
by Alexander Florio — Co-Founder, Swob Inc.
For years, restaurant hiring followed a familiar script: post a job, wait for applications, interview whoever showed up, and hope at least one person stayed…
read nowMore CommentaryZenzap helps restaurateurs control IP, communication in house
by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group
Zenzap, a communication app for restaurants, can help operators control intellectual properties and notifications.
Labor Forecasting 2.0: Predicting Future Demand and Staffing for Efficient Growth with AI
Labor is your most significant controllable cost—but leveraging labor as a growth driver is more complex than ever. Enter labor forecasting 2.0: an AI-driven approach that helps multi-location units match staffing to real-world demand, while optimizing schedules for labor compliance, operations efficiency, and sales.
watch now25 Fast Casual Brands to Watch in 2026
FastCasual’s sixth annual report, “25 Brands to Watch,” identifies the trailblazers poised to become the next household names. These concepts are not just keeping pace with the industry; they are actively redefining it. Congratulations to the class of 2026!
2025 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers
This year, the exceptional caliber of leadership across the industry led to a slight adjustment in our numbers—we were compelled to recognize 100 brands and 25 executives instead of our usual 75- 25 split. We also added an extra executive, a testament to the fierce competition and outstanding contributions within the fast-casual arena.















