Fusian updates brand identity after 16 years

May 7, 2026

Ohio-based Fusian has introduced a refreshed brand identity, its first update since the sushi fast-casual restaurant opened in 2010. The update reinforces the…

Cartwheel expands ezCater integration to streamline catering deliveries

May 6, 2026

Cartwheel, a delivery management platform, has expanded its partnership with workplace food technology platform ezCater to provide restaurant operators with…

How R&R Brands scaled from a single brand to a multi-brand platform

I sat down with Scott Taylor, Founder and CEO of R&R Brands, a visionary and an industry icon whose fingerprints are on some of the most important…

Why most fast casual Italian concepts fail —And how Piada is beating the odds

Is fast casual Italian finally having its breakthrough moment? In this episode of Fast Casual Nation, hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler sit down with Matt…

Paytronix launches rewards hub giving marketers real-time control

May 6, 2026

Paytronix Systems Inc. has rolled out its a rewards hub to its customer engagement platform, Access Identity, part of the company's Guest Engagement Suite.

Urban Egg cracks into second Kansas City-area location

May 6, 2026

Urban Egg, a daytime restaurant chain headquartered in Colorado Springs, opened its second Kansas City-area unit on May 4.

Swig signs 10-unit franchise deal for Colorado expansion

May 6, 2026

Swig has signed a 10-unit franchise agreement with father-and-son operators Alex and Alan Knox to bring the dirty soda concept to Colorado, continuing the…

SynergySuite & Sightline OS Announce Integrative Partnership

SynergySuite and Sightline OS announced a new AI-powered integration connecting restaurant sales, operations, and supply chain intelligence in real time. The…

Smoothie King CEO launches dual-lane chicken concept in Dallas

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Smoothie King's CEO is offering crispy and light chicken options through his fast-casual Flock & Fresh brand in Dallas.

Huey Magoo’s serves up its smaller, lower-cost drive-thru prototype

May 5, 2026

Huey Magoo's is rolling out a smaller, free-standing drive-thru prototype with the goal of reducing franchisee development costs by up to 40%. The model…

6 Signs Your Restaurant Team Communication Is Out of Control

If any of these signs sound familiar, it’s worth seriously rethinking how your team communication is set up.

SynergySuite Wins Three TITAN Business Awards in 2026, Including Third Consecutive Platinum in Restaurants

SynergySuite earned three 2026 TITAN Business Awards—including two Platinum and one Gold—marking its strongest showing yet. The recognition highlights its…

The Power of One leadership team: Building a Founder’s leadership team for success

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

May 4, 2026

To scale a business successfully, a founder must transition from being the organization’s primary bottleneck to building a high-level Power of One leadership…

Caribou Coffee rolls out value menu amid industrywide affordability push

May 4, 2026

Caribou Coffee is preparing to launch its Everyday Value Menu across all locations on May 8, offering a selection of coffee and food items priced as low as $2.

DoorDash for Business dishes up new catering and meal management tools

May 4, 2026

DoorDash for Business has expanded its workplace offerings by launching tray-style catering and a Meal Manager platform designed to consolidate and streamline…

How One Restaurant Fixed Its Team Communication Chaos (And What Every Operator Can Learn From It)

Most restaurants are losing data, burning out staff, and starting from scratch every time someone leaves. Here's how one multi-location BBQ restaurant fixed…

Disposable cameras and raw reactions: Why 'imperfect' social media content is winning in 2026

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Marketing leaders from Via 313, ATL Wing Spot, and Hook + Ladder explain how multi-unit restaurant brands can drive sustained foot traffic in 2026 by balancing…

Minnie Bird opens 3rd location

May 1, 2026

Minnie Bird, a fast-casual chicken concept co-founded by Sean Thomas, the grandson of Wendy's founder Dave Thomas, has tripled its Chicago-area footprint over…

Mahana Fresh debuts GLP-1-friendly menu

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

May 1, 2026

Fast-casual health brand Mahana Fresh has introduced a GLP-1-friendly menu designed for customers using weight-loss and diabetes medications. The menu rolled…

Taim Mediterranean Kitchen eyes East Coast growth through franchising

May 1, 2026

Taim Mediterranean Kitchen, part of the Craveworthy Brands portfolio, is expanding across the East and Northeast through franchising.