Opus launches tool to turn franchise data into action

July 20, 2026

Opus Training, a training operations platform used by multi-unit brands, has launched Opus Recommendation Engine, a product designed to convert operational…

FDA says Taylor Farms Cyclospora test a false positive as outbreak weighs on restaurant traffic

by Valerie Gritton

Taylor Farms is reporting the CDC has found a fast-positive for the cyclospora outbreak linked to its products.

Jersey Mike's launches IPO, plans to list on NYSE

July 20, 2026

After months of speculation, Jersey Mike's Subs Inc. said Monday it has begun a roadshow for its initial public offering, moving forward with plans to sell…

Rock N' Roll Sushi opens 1st Virginia restaurant

July 20, 2026

Rock N' Roll Sushi has entered Virginia with the opening of its first restaurant at 11458 Belvedere Lane in Midlothian. The restaurant opened on July 20 at The…

4 ways AI-using restaurants are cutting food, labor costs to outpace competitors

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Restaurant365's mid-year survey of nearly 10,000 U.S. locations shows exactly how AI adopters are pulling ahead — creating what the company calls the…

Build your leadership team: The team that reports directly to you

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

True organizational growth and scalability require distinguishing between mere managers and genuine leaders.

5-state Cyclospora outbreak linked to Taco Bell shredded lettuce

by Valerie Gritton

The Cyclospora illness is being linked to Taco Bell locations in the Midwest. The brand is taking precautions and removing the affected producer's products…

Smalls Sliders celebrates first Ohio opening

July 17, 2026

Smalls Sliders is opening its first location in Ohio. The location, in South Point, Ohio, will be led by local operators and brothers Beckett and Sam Gue and…

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop launches summer menu, rewards offers

July 17, 2026

Fuzzy's Taco Shop has launched its Fuzzy's Beach Club summer campaign, featuring limited-time menu items, rewards offers, branded merchandise and a National…

bb.q Chicken partners with Stray Kids member Felix on new menu item

July 17, 2026

Fort Lee, New Jersey-based bb.q Chicken has introduced Feel Crunch Chicken, an entree developed in partnership with Felix, a member of global K-pop group Stray…

Former Taco Bell Latin America CMO Karla Patino named Pollo Campero VP of marketing

July 16, 2026

Patino joins the company after nearly two decades in brand marketing at major quick-service chains, including Taco Bell, KFC, Burger King Chipotle and Subway.

Wonder raises $650M in Series D funding at $9B valuation

July 16, 2026

Food technology platform Wonder announced Thursday it has closed a $650 million Series D funding round at a pre-money valuation of $9 billion, which will fuel…

Taco Bell responds to Cyclospora outbreak, becomes first major chain to pull at-risk ingredients

by Valerie Gritton

A Cyclospora outbreak has restaurant leaders on alert.

Hot dogs jump 3.6%, coffee up 7.1%: Toast's June price data

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Toast's June 2026 data shows hot dogs, cold brew and coffee posting the steepest year-over-year price increases across the industry.

Gen Z, millennial franchisees want purpose, flexibility, tech — not just a second career

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Gong cha, Chicken Salad Chick, PrimoHoagies and Yougurtland execs reveal why franchising has become a popular career choice for millennials and Gen Z.

How Mendocino Farms is winning the 'Sandwich Wars'

Mendocino Farms CMO Alicia Mowder joins Fast Casual Nation to break down how the fast-casual chain hit its 100th location while staying true to chef-driven…

Presented by LoopAI

Nick the Greek surpasses 100 restaurants, reports double-digit sales growth in first half of 2026

July 16, 2026

Nick the Greek surpassed 100 restaurants during the first half of 2026, fueled by eight openings, 18.2% year-over-year same-store sales growth and a 14.8…

Interface report: Restaurant security risks center on people, not property

July 16, 2026

Restaurant security concerns increasingly focus on protecting employees and customers from disruptive behavior rather than preventing theft, according to…

Team Communication Tools for Restaurants: What to Look for in 2026

There are a lot of team chat apps out there, but how do you know which one fits how your team works and will get used? Here's what to look for before choosing.

The 1:1 Personalization Playbook: Using AI to send every guest their own offer

In this session, Hang CEO Matt Smolin, whose platform powers millions of AI-personalized offers a month for restaurant brands, and Rev Ciancio, CMO of Salad…

Presented by Hang