Texas Restaurant Association’s Emily Williams Knight on the power of shared insight

In this episode, Kathleen Wood and Emily Knight discuss why Founders benefit from being part of strong communities, whether through state restaurant…

Founderology Growth Summit honoring inaugural 'Visionary Restaurant Founders'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, 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 …

How Dave’s Hot Chicken went from a parking lot to a $1 billion sale

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Dave's Hot Chicken began in a parking lot. It recently sold for $1 billion. The leaders behind the brand will speak at the Founderology Growth Summit on Feb. …

Dave's Hot Chicken hires Joshua Liggins as VP of franchise development

January 12, 2026

Dave's Hot Chicken announced Monday the appointment of Joshua Liggins as vice president of franchise development, a move intended to accelerate the brand's…

1 question every Founder should ask (Most never do)

In our latest Founderology podcast episode, Ellis Winstanley and I discuss his Founder’s journey, from being an 18-year-old who refused to accept he couldn't…

Inside the Founder shift: What 2025 sparked and why 2026 is ready to ignite

In our final Founderology podcast episode of the year, Cherryh and I sat down to reflect on the moments that mattered, the shifts that shaped us and the…

Topsail Steamer founder sharing tips, advice at Founderology Growth Summit

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

The Founderology Growth Summit session, “Beyond the Tank: What Appearing on Shark Tank Taught Me About Business, Branding & Bold Moves,” features Danielle…

From Shark Tank to Goldbelly: The strategic expansion of Topsail Steamer

As the visionary behind Topsail Steamer, Danielle stepped into entrepreneurship with a clear purpose: connection creates meaning and growth. Her leadership…

Founder shares how he went from tacos to tech

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, ATM Marketplace & Food Truck Operator

Come hear El Arroyo founder Ellis Winstanley how he moved to tech at the Founderology Growth Summit.

From café to national movement: Clean Eatz Founders on scaling wellness without losing heart

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Clean Eatz is a franchise co-founded by Don and Evonne Varady that solves the time vs. health dilemma by offering convenient, macro-balanced meals, from…

Built to be investor grade: Do you know the value of your restaurant?

In this episode of Founderology, Wayne Vacek, managing director of Founders Advisors, breaks down the one metric every Founder must track to drive growth, the…

Founderology Growth Summit: The breakthrough experience Founders must attend

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Built for Founders. Powered by Founders.

Power Couple Pinky Cole, Derrick Hayes to ignite Founderology Growth Summit

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

While most restaurant founders are focused on building a single successful brand, Pinky Cole and Derrick Haye have a grander goal: to build an empire, not just…

5 ways to turn your gift card program into a 6-figure revenue stream

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

May 7, 2025

Ralph Lewis, owner of Okeechobee Steakhouse, reported selling over $180,000 in gift cards in just six hours across two smaller locations after using the…

Kathleen Wood, Networld Media Group launching revamped Founderology Growth Summit

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Registration is open for this Founders-only event.

How to build a leadership team for scalability

Can you distinguish between managers and leaders?