2026 State of the Industry: 10 trends redefining the restaurant landscape

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The 2026 restaurant landscape is more data-rich than ever, but it remains a people-first business. By leveraging technology to remove friction, operators can…

6 ways restaurants are making Valentine's Day 'wonderfully weird' in 2026

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Forget flowers and candy; we are doing bro-quets, McNugget Caviar and puppy love.

Successful and struggling: The Founder paradox no one talks about

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

We explore the "founder's paradox" of being both successful and isolated, ultimately arguing that connecting with a community of peers is the essential…

Bridging the restaurant coaching gap: LEAD announces leadership events in KC, Dallas

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

As the publisher of FastCasual.com and a proud Kansas Citian, I've always said that some of the best leadership in the restaurant industry is bred right here…

Empowering restaurants to thrive: How smart technology is transforming the guest experience and the bottom line

by Fast Casual

Amid modern restaurant challenges lies a powerful opportunity – by embracing innovative technology, restaurants can not only survive but truly thrive.

Presented by Oracle

Thriving through uncertainty: the power of resilience in leadership and business

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Resilience is the essential "superpower" for navigating modern uncertainty, serving as a developable skill that enables individuals and organizations to…

Speaker Spotlight: Jeff Perera, co-founder, vice president, Jeff's Bagel Run

Jeff Perera, co-founder and vice president of Jeff's Bagel Run, shares a look at his career, his achievements and industry trends ahead of his appearance at…

The Rewards Wars: Starbucks bets on AI while Panera returns to traditional math

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Panera is moving toward a more traditional, transparent math — replacing "surprises" with a predictable points-per-dollar system. It is about removing the…

The future of hiring in restaurants is more human than we think

by Alexander Florio — Co-Founder, Swob Inc.

For years, restaurant hiring followed a familiar script: post a job, wait for applications, interview whoever showed up, and hope at least one person stayed…

Iron Cactus doesn't sit still; brand keeps evolving

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Iron Cacus stopped frying in seed oil and Founder Gary Manley watched sales soar. The brand has two locations in Texas.

From vision to breakthrough: 5 game-changing lessons from the Founderology Podcast

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

The Founderology: Built to Breakthrough podcast shares actionable insights from visionary entrepreneurs, emphasizing that success comes from bold risk-taking…

Chipotle outgrowing slump thanks to 10-minute visits

by Lila Margalit — Content Writer, Placer.ai

In November, same-store visits turned slightly positive, compared to previous declines, contributing to a stronger increase in total chain-wide traffic.

Why the 'new' food pyramid is choosing opinion over evidence

by Suzy Badaracco — President, Culinary Tides Inc

Suzy Badaracco's imagined dialogue between a registered dietitian and the personification of whole grains reveals how the "inverted" government food pyramid…

Founderology Growth Summit honoring inaugural 'Visionary Restaurant Founders'

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

To celebrate the spirit of innovation, the Founderology Growth Summit, being held Feb. 2-4 in Austin, will host a special ceremony to honor the "Top 5 Movers …

The countdown is on: 10 ways RFIS will change your life

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Think of this as your official invite to the industry family reunion. Matching shirts not required!

“Engagement That Rocks” reveals the amplifier behind culture, retention, guest loyalty

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

"Engagement That Rocks: Enhance Employee Experience and Retain Chart-Topping Talent," the third book in the “Culture That Rocks” trilogy, written by Jim…

Aloha, Innovation: Why L&L’s Eddie Flores Jr is a must-see at RFIS 2026

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Anyone who knows Eddie knows he brings a witty, frank and refreshingly honest perspective to the table. He's going to talk about the "unconventional…

Smoothie King, Tropical Smoothie Cafe join the 'proteinization' of the fast casual industry

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Both beverage brands join Starbucks, Nekter Juice Bar and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in the focus on protein

The 'proteinization' of the fast casual industry: Starbucks, Nekter, Coffee Bean & Tea bulk up winter menus

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

While the "New Year, New Me" resolution season often focuses on restriction, smart brands are leaning into satiety and muscle recovery to drive traffic.

How to amplify your leadership impact by leading with influence

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Leading with influence focuses on building trust, empathy and a shared vision to inspire teams toward higher engagement and growth, moving beyond traditional…