Authentic experiences: How your brand can reach Gen Z for success and customer loyalty

by Daniel Brown — Editor, Networld Media Group

The APC Gen Z study found that Gen Z has five top demands from businesses and brands: 1. Authenticity. 2. PhysiDigital. 3. Experiential. 4. Custom. 5.

How Vicious Biscuit plans to conquer brunch

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

South Carolina-based Vicious Biscuit is taking its "Body by Biscuit" messaging and its $2.5 million AUVs cross-country with franchising opportunities.

Rethinking restaurant customer engagement, loyalty strategies

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

A panel talk on loyalty programs at the recent Fast Casual Executive Summit featured Bob Andersen, president of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill; Jon Asher…

WOWorks, Craveworthy Brands, Cousins Maine Lobster execs talk menu optimization, strategy

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Adam Terranova, senior director of growth for WOWorks, Jeremy Theisen, chief growth and development officer at Craveworthy Brands and Annie Tselikis, director…

Garage-born Crimson Coward hitting 200 locations by 2027

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

By year's end, the brand will have nine stores spanning California, Michigan, Texas and Virginia and is looking for franchise partners to take the brand across…

Capriotti’s, Wing Zone, Swamp Dawg, Goodcents execs talk growth with lean teams

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Restaurant labor shortages have become a pervasive issue, affecting both corporate and store-level operations. Three restaurant executives discussed labor…

Will the joint-employer ruling destroy restaurant franchising?

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

"The rule upends employment policy, adopting a far-fetched definition of 'employer' based on 'indirect or potential influence' of an employee and then fails to…

Qdoba exec to speak about restaurant evolution at one-day QSR event

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Kyle Moses, Senior Director, Operations Services & Training & Development for Qdoba, will speak at #QSRNext on Nov. 8. The half-day event is designed for the…

#QSRNext Keynote: Unlocking the secrets of menu innovation with Frisch's CEO

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

James Walker, CEO of Frisch's, will give the keynote address on menu innovation at the #QSRNext half-day event for restaurant executives on Nov. 8 at 10 a.m.

Haven Hot Chicken wins The Perfect Pitch at the Fast Casual Executive Summit 2023

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Haven Hot Chicken won The Perfect Pitch concept competition at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Louisville, Kentucky on Oct. 9.

How diversity became Shake Shack's key ingredient

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, Connect Media

Shake Shack set big goals for diversity. At the Fast Casual Executive Summit, Idris Stover, director of diversity, equity inclusion and engagement, discussed…

Scooter's Coffee exec: 'The whole point of innovation is growth'

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Nathan Lester, senior director, drive-thru innovations for Scooter’s Coffee, spoke about pairing innovation and growth during the keynote address kicking off…

Smoothie King outpacing industry growth via menu innovation, franchisee communication

Smoothie King CEO Wan Kim details how the brand is outpacing industry growth projections.

How White Castle, Clutch Coffee fixing drive-thru issues

by Daniel Brown — Editor, Networld Media Group

With emerging technologies, including AI, changing the look and feel of the drive-thru experience, operators are future-proofing their operations

AI won't replace restaurant employees, it will make CX better

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, Connect Media

A panel at the Interactive Customer Experience Summit in Charlotte from Sept. 11 to 13 tackled AI head on and how its real benefit is to improve the customer…

Should restaurants enter the Metaverse?

by cooper, Bradley Cooper — Editor, Connect Media

What is the metaverse good for? A panel at the Interactive Customer Experience Summit debated this topic.

Why Veggie Grill CEO thinks downsizing will fuel growth

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Veggie Grill's plan for growth includes exploring franchising, menu enhancements and technology upgrades.

How to cut costs with delivery

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, Connect Media

Third party delivery got big during COVID-19 but can also cost restaurants a lot. How can restaurants save money?

How Dave's Hot Chicken wins with authenticity

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, Connect Media

Dave's Hot Chicken went from a parking lot pop-up to a fast casual juggernaut. The opening keynote at the Interactive Customer Experience Summit in Charlotte…

The evolution of Mazzio's Italian Eatery: Expanded menu, footprint makes brand a standout

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Mazzio's Italian Eatery is a 108-unit pizza brand based out of Oklahoma. For the past several years, the brand has been overhauling its existing restaurants…