How Velvet Taco CEO Chris Schultz scales a cult brand without losing its soul
by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media
During his keynote at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Texas, Chris Schultz will discuss restaurant growth, brand culture, leadership, international expansion and why protecting a fast-casual brand's identity matters more than opening the next location.
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Wonder, Zipline to launch Texas food drone delivery program
by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media
Wonder and Zipline have partnered to bring drone food delivery to Texas.
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From 1M followers to 1.7M: How The Taco Spot used social media to fuel national franchise expansion
Raul Martinez, director of Marketing & Business Development, reveals how the brand turned organic content into a 400-unit pipeline.
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Chicken chains rule the roost with summer LTOs
Big Dave's Cheesesteaks, Houston TX Hot Chicken, Huey Magoo's and Wingstop are leaning into menu trends, including value meals and sweet and hot flavors.
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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.
From kitchens to tech hubs: Inside fast casual’s digital revolution
In the latest episode of the Restaurant Operator Podcast, Cherryh Cansler, publisher of FastCasual.com, sits down with Luke Wilwerding, Vice President of North America Sales at Elo Touch Solutions, to unpack the highly anticipated FastCasual Top 100 Movers & Shakers list.
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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.
