News & Media From Cherryh Cansler

The future is collaborative: 17 female restaurant leaders reveal power moves

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Guided by the colors of progress, 17 industry trailblazers reveal how they are trading the grind for a new era of radical community.

read now

Bankruptcy may not be the end for Pinky Cole

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Pinky Cole has built an empire on grit. She's faced the worst before, and she's come out on the other side. As she navigates this latest chapter, the question…

read now

5 strategic plays behind Cava's $1B year

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Cava Co-founder and CEO Brett Schulman didn't just report numbers during the company's Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings call on Tuesday; he reported a…

read now

Pinky Cole stripping down Slutty Vegan’s business realities on ‘Real Housewives’

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

By bringing the fast casual world to one of reality TV's biggest stages, Slutty Vegan founder Pinky Cole is betting on the idea that authenticity — not just…

read now

Got marketing chops? Prove it: The 2nd Annual Top 30 Movers & Shakers Nominations are live

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Calling all restaurant marketing visionaries!

read now

Can Dave’s Hot Chicken leaders conjure magic from Mike's Red Tacos?

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Mike's Red Tacos, a beef birria concept born just four years ago, has deals in place to open more than 200 locations. While the rapid expansion is turning…

read now

Wingstop's Q4 earnings: The good, the bad, the X-Factor

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

While 2025 saw the brand’s first same-store sales decline in over two decades, leadership is betting on a transformational operational shift and a new loyalty…

read now

Pizza vs. Chicken: The ultimate industry 'vibe check' at RFIS

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Executives in the pizza and chicken restaurant fields will answer questions about feedback in a 'Family Feud'-style game at the Restaurant Franchising and…

read now

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…

read now

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.

read now

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…

read now

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…

read now

Panera testing points-based loyalty program to boost customization, value

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The shift comes in response to direct feedback from MyPanera members seeking more clarity on how they earn rewards.

read now

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 …

read now

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!

read now

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…

read now

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

read now

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.

read now

2025 in review: FastCasual’s 10 most-read stories

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Top stories centered on major brand pivots, such as Golden Corral rebranding its fast casual concept, and the return of seasonal events like Starbucks' Red Cup…

read now

How Onigilly scaled from founder-led concept to a 20-unit franchise pipeline

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Founder and CEO Koji Kanematsu said the brand's corporate locations are expected to generate approximately $2 million in revenue this year.

read now