66% of young restaurant workers say employers aren't training them right — Here's the fix

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

A new Schoox survey reveals a gap between what frontline restaurant employees want to learn and what operators are actually delivering — and why closing it…

Freddy’s promotes Rick Petralia to executive chef, VP of training and innovation

August 20, 2026

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, based in Wichita, Kansas, promoted Rick Petralia to executive chef and vice president of training and innovation.

Franchise growth drives Hawaiian Bros’ 2026 expansion

August 20, 2026

Hawaiian Bros Island Grill continued its growth trajectory during the first half of 2026, signing development deals with experienced franchisees to support…

AI and the Future of Restaurants: From Foot Traffic to Predictive Insight

As consumer behavior and privacy expectations evolve, restaurants need smarter ways to understand diners and drive growth. Gladys Kong of Azira and Isabelle…

Presented by Azira

Sweetgreen expands drive-thru prototype to Virginia

August 19, 2026

Sweetgreen opened a restaurant Thursday featuring its Sweetlane order-ahead drive-up format, marking the chain's fourth and its first in Northern Virginia.

Panera takes points-based MyPanera loyalty program nationwide after pilot

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

August 19, 2026

Panera Bread is rolling out a redesigned, points-based version of its MyPanera loyalty program nationwide Wednesday, following a pilot the company ran earlier…

Shipley Donuts celebrates 90th birthday with LTOs, franchise growth

August 19, 2026

Houston-based Shipley Donuts is celebrating its 90th birthday with limited-time menu items and special offers through Oct. 18.

Firehouse Subs opens 1,500th restaurant

August 19, 2026

Firehouse Subs opened its 1,500th restaurant this week at 2608 Enterprise Dr., in Abilene, Texas. The firefighter-founded hot sub brand's newest location is…

Smoothie King gives pumpkin spice season GLP-1 makeover

August 18, 2026

Pumpkin spice is everywhere this fall, but Smoothie King says it's the first chain to make one specifically for guests on GLP-1 medications.

Buffalo Wild Wings, Jimmy John's, opens first co-brand

August 18, 2026

Two restaurant brands are teaming up to open the first co-branded Buffalo Wild Wings Go and Jimmy John's location in the U.S., according to an article in…

Cincinnati gets Blaze Pizza in Oakley neighborhood

August 18, 2026

Blaze Pizza has opened a restaurant in Cincinnati's Oakley neighborhood at 3206 Vandercar Way, celebrating its grand opening today with free pizza for all…

Real talk, damn good biscuits and growing a national chain

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Lauren Coulter is co-Founder and chief biscuit eater of Biscuit Belly, the Louisville, Kentucky, brunch brand she built with her husband and co-Founder, Chad…

Pokeworks reports 10% year-over-year unit growth in Q2

August 18, 2026

Irvine, California-based Pokeworks opened five locations, has eight more under development and signed multiple-unit franchise agreements during the second…

MOOYAH Burgers inks master franchise agreement for UAE expansion

August 18, 2026

Plano, Texas-based MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes signed a master franchise agreement with Great Foods USA LLC to expand the brand in the United Arab…

How Bonchon is using AI to enhance operations, increase profit

Bonchon CEO Suzie Tsai joins Fast Casual Nation hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler to talk candidly about the Korean fried chicken brand's AI journey.

Jeff’s Bagel Run Kicks Off Pumpkin Season August 24

It may still feel like summer outside, but pumpkin season is officially starting at Jeff’s Bagel Run. Beginning August 24, the brand brings back its fall menu…

Wonder deploys free battery systems at NYC restaurants to cut energy costs

August 17, 2026

Food tech company Wonder is installing plug-in batteries at 21 of its New York City locations through a partnership with energy supplier David Energy, the…

Pizza Brands to Watch 2027 nominations extended to Aug. 28

August 17, 2026

Pizza Marketplace is seeking nominations for its "Pizza Brands to Watch in 2027" special report, aiming to highlight innovators, trailblazers and rising stars…

Palona AI debuts AI platform for restaurants after $20M funding round

August 17, 2026

Palona AI has launched what it calls a multimodal AI operating layer for physical businesses, debuting the technology in restaurants before expanding to other…

Wonder, Serve Robotics partner to expand autonomous delivery on Grubhub

August 17, 2026

Robot delivery is coming to Chicago, Los Angeles and Alexandria, Virginia, including Wonder's Potomac Yard location.