Ziggi’s Coffee debuts ‘season of love’ loyalty experience

February 3, 2026

Ziggi's Coffee is debuting a "season of love" limited-time loyalty experience.

&pizza puts polarizing veggie on pizza

February 3, 2026

Washington D.C.-based &pizza has never shied away from adding unusual toppings on its pizzas. The list includes cracked eggs, elote sauce and corn and…

Slice House by Tony Gemignani to open in Gilbert, Arizona

February 3, 2026

Fast-casual pizza franchise Slice House by Tony Gemignani will open a location in Gilbert, Arizona. It will be the first in the state, according to a press…

Loop AI secures $14M Series A to scale restaurant back-office technology

February 3, 2026

Loop AI, an enterprise AI platform for restaurant and retail back offices, has raised $14 million in Series A funding, according to a press release.

Wahlburgers expanding via The Home Depot, Bass Pro Shops locations

February 3, 2026

Wahlburgers, the burger chain founded by brothers Mark, Donnie and Paul Wahlberg, announced a major national expansion strategy, including partnerships with…

Powerhouse Dynamics Offers New Subscription-Based Versions of Open Kitchen® and SiteSage®

New Options Provide an Immediate Return for Restaurants, Retailers, and C-Stores Seeking to Reduce Costs and Waste

Slice House by Tony Gemignani opens in Boulder

February 2, 2026

Slice House by Tony Gemignani has opened in Boulder, Colorado, according to a press release.

Empowering restaurants to thrive: How smart technology is transforming the guest experience and the bottom line

by Fast Casual

Amid modern restaurant challenges lies a powerful opportunity – by embracing innovative technology, restaurants can not only survive but truly thrive.

Presented by Oracle

Gong cha deploys Super Wu beverage automation system, kiosks to streamline operations

February 1, 2026

Gong cha, the global bubble tea powerhouse with nearly 2,200 locations, announced the launch of its "Gong cha 2.0" initiative, a comprehensive brand overhaul…

Barberitos, Garbanzo, Saladworks launch protein-packed LTOs

February 1, 2026

WOWorks, the parent company of several health-focused restaurant chains, has launched a suite of limited-time menu offerings across its Barberitos, Garbanzo…

Thriving through uncertainty: the power of resilience in leadership and business

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Resilience is the essential "superpower" for navigating modern uncertainty, serving as a developable skill that enables individuals and organizations to…

Speaker Spotlight: Jeff Perera, co-founder, vice president, Jeff's Bagel Run

Jeff Perera, co-founder and vice president of Jeff's Bagel Run, shares a look at his career, his achievements and industry trends ahead of his appearance at…

The Rewards Wars: Starbucks bets on AI while Panera returns to traditional math

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, 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…

How top franchise brands turn culture into direct profitability

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Industry leaders will gather at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit to share actionable strategies for transforming workplace culture and…

The future of hiring in restaurants is more human than we think

by Alexander Florio — Co-Founder, Swob Inc.

For years, restaurant hiring followed a familiar script: post a job, wait for applications, interview whoever showed up, and hope at least one person stayed…

Chicken Salad Chick awarded 100 franchise deals, opened 42 units in 2025

January 29, 2026

Chicken Salad Chick reported a record-breaking 2025, awarding nearly 100 franchise deals and opening 42 restaurants as it prepares to push further into the…

Starbucks turnaround: Niccol’s "Back to Starbucks" plan ignites Q1 growth

January 29, 2026

Starbucks has officially shifted from defense to offense. During Wednesday's Q1 2026 earnings call, the company reported a 5% increase in global revenue to…

Five Guys goes all in on AI

January 28, 2026

Five Guys is doubling down on artificial intelligence, expanding its partnership with SoundHound AI after the burger chain's automated ordering system…

25 Fast Casual Brands to Watch in 2026

FastCasual’s sixth annual report, “25 Brands to Watch,” identifies the trailblazers poised to become the next household names. These concepts are not just…

Presented by Elo Touch Solutions, Inc.

Zenzap helps restaurateurs control IP, communication in house

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Zenzap, a communication app for restaurants, can help operators control intellectual properties and notifications.

Presented by Zenzap