7 Game-Changing Trends That Will Define Fast Casual & QSR in 2025

Explore 7 key trends shaping fast casual and QSR in 2025—from kitchen tech to loyalty 3.0—and learn how top brands are using data to drive smarter operations.

Speaker Spotlight: Troy Hooper, Pepper Lunch CEO

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

Troy Hooper, CEO of Pepper Lunch, shares a look at his career, his achievements and industry trends ahead of his appearance at Fast Casual Executive Summit…

Randy's Donuts expanding in Mexico, UAE

June 13, 2025

Southern California-based Randy's Donuts is expanding its international presence with franchise partnerships in Mexico and the United Arab Emirates.

L&L Hawaiian co-founder publishes franchising guidebook

June 13, 2025

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue co-Founder Eddie Flores Jr. is offering insights and practical advice for aspiring and current franchise owners in his book…

Palmer Digital Group's battery operated kiosk helps retail stores advertise

Mandy Detwiler, editor of QRweb and Pizza Marketplace, chats with Chuck Lewis, vice president of Palmer Digital Group about the brand's battery-operated indoor…

Presented by Palmer Digital Group

Savory invests in Asian street food concept

June 12, 2025

Savory Fund, which has helped scale restaurant brands including Swig and Mo' Bettahs, is hoping to do the same for Hawkers, an Asian street food concept…

Fuzzy’s piloting full-service model

June 12, 2025

Fuzzy's Taco Shop is offering a full-service dining experience with Monday's opening of a Fuzzy's Tacos and Margs, in Sugar Land, Texas, at 1912 Wescott Ave.

How Bonchon is conquering small-town America

On this episode of Fast Casual Nation host Cherryh Cansler chats wtih Bonchon CEO Suzie Tsai about how Korean fried chicken is taking over Middle America with…

proXES Inc. showcases universal mixers, offers supplies to the restaurant industry

proXES Inc. showcased its universal mixers at the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. proXES Inc. offers a wide variety of kitchen equipment and…

Presented by ProXES, Inc.

Starbucks testing AI-powered virtual assistants

June 11, 2025

Starbucks has introduced Green Dot Assist, a generative AI-powered virtual assistant designed to support the coffee giant's baristas in coffeehouses globally.

Demand for Mediterranean flavors driving Shawarma Press expansion

June 10, 2025

Shawarma Press is expanding its brick-and-mortar franchise locations and digital kitchen concepts across the U.S. as Mediterranean cuisine continues its rise…

White paper analyzes 1 vendor approach for restaurant openings

June 10, 2025

Opening a restaurant requires getting many elements in order, especially on the equipment side. This can create a lot of challenges for restaurants trying to…

Do you have the guts to grow your restaurant?

Bob Andersen, President of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, reveals frameworks to build leadership and management systems into a culture to scale big!

5 reasons to use a single equipment supplier for new restaurant openings

Opening a new restaurant can be a chaotic process, but using a single equipment supplier can offer much-needed stability.

Presented by TundraFMP

Jeff's Bagel Run founder says training key to franchisee success

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

In this episode of the Restaurant Operator Podcast, Mandy Detwiler, editor of Pizza Marketplace and QSRweb, chats with Jeff's Bagel Run founder Jeff Perera.

Presented by Jeff's Bagel Run

Axiomtek unveils updated kiosks, digital signage players

Axiomtek showcasesthe company’s latest modular kiosks and digital signage players.

Presented by Axiomtek

Jinya Ramen Bar expanding footprint in Colorado

June 10, 2025

Ramen culture is expanding in Colorado with a Jinya Ramen Bar location set to open next week in Colorado Springs at 402 South Nevada Ave., marking the state's…

Bobby's Burgers names Patrick Cunningham CDO

June 10, 2025

Bobby's Burgers by Bobby Flay has appointed Patrick Cunningham as chief development officer, a hire aimed at accelerating the brand's national expansion…

How Big Chicken Is Using Guest Feedback to Fuel Franchise Growth

Big Chicken uses Ovation to identify system-wide issues and improve the guest experience across its growing franchise network. By catching trends like missing…

Presented by Ovation Up, Inc.

Paris Baguette promotes Nick Scaccio to CDO

June 9, 2025

Paris Baguette, a French-inspired bakery cafe franchise, has promoted Nick Scaccio to chief development officer. Scaccio, who previously served as the brand's…