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 strategy that prioritizes authentic content creation, micro-influencer relationships and adaptation to the rising impact of AI on search visibility.

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.

Piada Italian Street Food eyes national expansion with capital raise

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The 62-unit brand is pursuing a strategic capital raise to fuel a massive national scale-up. The goal? Transforming from a regional powerhouse into a national leader with a target of more than 1,000 U.S. locations.

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream scoops up strong Q1 figures

Handel's Homemade Ice Cream reported a strong start to the year, driven by market entries and franchise development.

How The Red Chickz brought true Nashville soul to the West Coast

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Podcast host Mandy Detwiler talks to Shawn Lalehzarian, co-founder of the West Coast Nashville hot chicken brand The Red Chickz about the brand's aesthetic, creative menu and outstanding operations.

HungerRush

HungerRush brings every part of your restaurant together — orders, guests, data — in one platform built for fast casual and quick-serve multi-location brands ready to grow.

Rethinking Peak Performance in the Digital Restaurant Era

Traditional performance metrics such as ticket time and drive-thru speed measure efficiency but fail to capture the full guest experience. Many organizations detect problems only after they begin affecting customer loyalty. Leading restaurant brands are adopting a new approach: Unified Experience Management® (UXM).

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.