'Going Live with Fast Casual Nation and Shake Shack:' Inside 'Project Catalyst' and what comes next
by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com
We are not talking about transformation in theory. We are talking about what it looks like inside a brand that is actively doing the work.
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Tord Olav Dønnum on the future of autonomous foodservice
by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media
Tord Olav Dønnum discusses how robotics, automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping foodservice operations and how autonomous kitchens can help operators improve profitability while preserving the human side of hospitality.
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The Power of One: Your role as a Founder
by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners
To successfully escape the "Stuck Zone" and scale a business, a Founder must transition from a hustle-driven operator to an intentional CEO by making three critical decisions that align the entire organization around a unified vision.
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Wonder-owned Grubhub launches ChatGPT ordering integration
by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com
In an effort to capture customers using AI platforms for daily digital discovery, Grubhub has launched an integration with OpenAI's ChatGPT, allowing users to…
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Wonder, Dave’s Hot Chicken Real Estate VPs reveal growth strategies
by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com
Real estate strategy is central to growth for restaurant brands, and Wonder and Dave's Hot Chicken are taking different approaches to scale. In a podcast recorded at ICSC Las Vegas, executives from both companies discussed how shifting consumer behavior, off-premise dining and changing market dynamics are shaping site selection.
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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.
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The 1:1 Personalization Playbook: Using AI to send every guest their own offer
In this session, Hang CEO Matt Smolin, whose platform powers millions of AI-personalized offers a month for restaurant brands, will walk through the playbook to start personalizing your own offers right away.
2026 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers
Welcome to the 2026 edition of the Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers. Each year, this report serves as a pulse check for the industry, celebrating the brands and leaders who aren’t just keeping pace with the market—they are redefining it.
