Built to Breakthrough: The power of one vision

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

The Power of One Vision provides restaurant Founders with a strategic framework to transition from "stuck in the middle" to scalable growth by shifting their…

Cheba Hut sparks 2nd Wyoming location

April 27, 2026

Marijuana-themed sandwich chain Cheba Hut has opened its second location in Wyoming.

Killer Burger growing Texas footprint

April 27, 2026

Killer Burger, a Portland-based chain known for unconventional toppings, will open its first Houston location, continuing a rapid expansion across the Lone…

More than a post: Turning influencers into content engines for your restaurant

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

At the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit, marketing experts discussed the evolution of influencer marketing from a secondary tactic into a core…

Taco John’s hires Ian Poole as VP of development to fuel growth

April 24, 2026

Taco John's has named industry veteran Ian Poole vice president of development. Poole will focus on franchisee support, onboarding, real estate and…

Moe’s jumps on snacking trend to drive late-night traffic

April 24, 2026

Moe's Southwest Grill has introduced the Burrito Dipper, its first snack-sized menu item, as part of a broader push into late-night service.

No clicks given: How to get AI to recommend your restaurant

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The shift has brought us to a new frontier: GEO (Generative Engine Optimization). If SEO was about being found by a search engine, GEO is about being…

Nick the Greek opens second Reno location, plans to reach 100 units by mid-2026

April 23, 2026

Nick the Greek has opened its second location in Reno, 10310 N. McCarran Blvd., as part of an expansion plan to reach 100 restaurant openings by mid-2026. The…

Scooter’s brews Southeast growth with Boddie-Noell partnership

April 23, 2026

Scooter's Coffee has signed a multi-store development agreement with Boddie-Noell Enterprises to expand its Southeast presence.

How 1 fast casual founder aims to build AI bridge between wearables, wellness

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

SUMMITS launched a new AI platform that bridges the gap between what wearable data tells people to eat and what ends up on their plates.

Chicken Salad Chick posts record Q1 2026 growth

April 22, 2026

Chicken Salad Chick reported solid record results for the first quarter of 2026, thanks to franchise development and market expansion.

Dog Haus unleashes operator-driven franchise model

April 22, 2026

Dog Haus is overhauling its franchise model to give front-line operators a larger role in ownership, leadership and decision-making.

Scaling the heat: How Houston TX Hot Chicken is building a breakout chicken brand

by Fast Casual

Houston TX Hot Chicken maintains its growth by keeping it focused on one core moment: the customer's reaction after taking their first bite of its Nashville…

Presented by Houston TX Hot Chicken

Smoothie King to shift menu, store design

April 21, 2026

Smoothie King has announced a brand evolution plan to support and accelerate long-term growth. The Dallas-based fast-casual chain, which has over 1,10…

Kayla Edidin named COO of Red Door Brands

April 21, 2026

Kayla Edidin has been named chief operating officer of Red Door Brands, a franchise company that owns and operates brands including McAlister's Deli, Little…

One Stop Nutrition taps SynergySuite, CBS NorthStar for AI-driven growth

April 20, 2026

One Stop Nutrition, a health and wellness brand founded in 1996, has selected SynergySuite and CBS NorthStar to modernize its technology stack across its…

7 strategies for creating high-performing culture, building a winning team

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Building a high-performing culture isn't an accident — it's an intentional leadership strategy that prioritizes purpose, trust and empowerment to transform a…

4 places where your catering program is leaking revenue

by Kelly Grogan — Founder, CRUMBS

When you treat every catering order as a relationship worth tending to, the revenue follows. When you treat it as a transaction to fulfill and move on from…

Pokeworks bowls up record Q1, expands pipeline and menu

April 20, 2026

Irvine, California-based Pokeworks reported its strongest first-quarter performance since its 2015 launch, resulting from openings, development deals and menu…

WaBa Grill eyes $1M AUV, unveils 2026 plans

April 20, 2026

WaBa Grill is on track to exceed $1 million in average unit volumes and reported 10% same-store sales growth early this year, according to a company press…