Jeff’s Bagel Run Awards 20 New Franchise Locations as 2026 Expansion Accelerates

Jeff’s Bagel Run, the rapidly growing scratch-made bagel concept known for baking hot bagels throughout the day, has awarded 20 new franchise locations…

Rice and Noodle Selects SynergySuite to Power Operations and Fuel Franchise Expansion Across Canada

SynergySuite has partnered with Rice and Noodle to streamline operations and support franchise growth across Canada. The restaurant brand will leverage…

The Power of One Direction: one of the most important and underutilized factors of greatness

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

The "Power of One Direction" is a leadership discipline where Founders transition from keeping strategies in their heads to creating a written plan, providing…

From scribbles to savings: Why precision labeling is the new profit protector

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Star Micronics is showcasing its versatile mC-Label series at the National Restaurant Association Show this weekend, highlighting how high-precision labeling…

Presented by Star Micronics America

Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls intros food truck

May 11, 2026

Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls, a brick-and-mortar lobster chain, opened its first food truck. Based in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, the truck will travel to events…

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken overhauls digital experience with FNGRFOOD launch

May 11, 2026

Hattie B's Hot Chicken is turning up the heat on its digital strategy with the launch of a web and mobile experience powered by FNGRFOOD, a proprietary…

What Every Multi-Location Business Needs to Know About Team Communication

Here's what every multi-location business needs to know about getting team communication right at scale.

Shake Shack shares tumble despite record openings, revenue growth

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Shake Shack hits a record-breaking development streak in Q1, but stock dropped after missing Wall Street's revenue and profit estimates. Explore how the brand…

Shake Shack names Michelle Hook chief financial officer

May 7, 2026

Shake Shack Inc. has named former Portillo’s and Domino’s executive Michelle Hook as its CFO to lead financial operations and support the brand's 1,500-unit…

Pei Wei, Gyro Hut tap NCR Voyix to modernize POS operations

May 7, 2026

Fast-casual brands Pei Wei Asian Kitchen and Gyro Hut are modernizing restaurant operations and enhancing guest experiences through new and expanded technology…

Toast’s IQ Grow offers marketing assistance to restaurant operators

May 7, 2026

Toast Inc., based in Boston, has introduced Toast IQ Grow, designed to help restaurant operators expand their digital presence and grow their brands online.

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.