Lola Beans hires Jessie Bray as fractional chief operating officer

January 16, 2026

Lola Beans, a drive-thru beverage franchise specializing in handcrafted coffee and plant-based energy drinks, has named hospitality veteran Jessie Bray as its…

Pizza Marketplace's Top 100 Movers & Shakers submissions due Jan.18

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Nominations are due Jan. 18.

Founderology Growth Summit honoring inaugural 'Visionary Restaurant Founders'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

To celebrate the spirit of innovation, the Founderology Growth Summit, being held Feb. 2-4 in Austin, will host a special ceremony to honor the "Top 5 Movers …

No tips, higher wages, low prices: How CAVA's Brett Schulman is rewriting the restaurant playbook

Join hosts Paul Barron and Cheryl Cansler as they kick off 2026 with CAVA Co-Founder and CEO Brett Schulman for an in-depth conversation about navigating…

Founders Table Restaurant acquires Protein Bar & Kitchen

January 15, 2026

Founders Table Restaurant Group has acquired Protein Bar & Kitchen, marking a significant expansion of its portfolio of founder-led brands.

Tom Carr named CEO of Guthrie's

January 14, 2026

Guthrie's, a chicken-finger-only concept with over 70 locations, has named Tom Carr as president and chief executive officer.

The countdown is on: 10 ways RFIS will change your life

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Think of this as your official invite to the industry family reunion. Matching shirts not required!

Riko's Pizza's unique style sets it apart as brand grows on East Coast

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Riko's Pizza's unique thin-crust pizza sets it apart from the heavy competition on the East Coast. The brand is growing and now has 12 locations.

Dutch Bros to acquire Clutch Coffee Bar

January 13, 2026

Dutch Bros Coffee has reached an agreement to acquire Clutch Coffee Bar, according to an open letter from Darren Spicer, the founder and CEO of Clutch Coffee…

How Dave’s Hot Chicken went from a parking lot to a $1 billion sale

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Dave's Hot Chicken began in a parking lot. It recently sold for $1 billion. The leaders behind the brand will speak at the Founderology Growth Summit on Feb. …

Coffee margins under pressure: Menu prices up 3.4%

January 13, 2026

Restaurant operators continued to adjust caffeine margins in late 2025, with coffee prices outrunning other menu categories in year-over-year growth, according…

Speaker Spotlight: John Lucas, VP, Farmer Boys

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, ATM Marketplace & Food Truck Operator

Read more about John Lucas, VP of Farmer Boys in today's Speaker Spotlight.

Heinz introduces fry box with built-in ketchup dipping compartment

January 13, 2026

Heinz is taking its condiments on the road with the launch of the "Heinz Dipper," a French fry box featuring a built-in compartment specifically designed for…

Hawaiian Bros hires Shannon Scott as CMO

January 13, 2026

Hawaiian Bros has named Shannon Scott as its chief marketing officer, the company announced Tuesday, as the island-inspired restaurant chain prepares for a…

“Engagement That Rocks” reveals the amplifier behind culture, retention, guest loyalty

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

"Engagement That Rocks: Enhance Employee Experience and Retain Chart-Topping Talent," the third book in the “Culture That Rocks” trilogy, written by Jim…

Dave's Hot Chicken hires Joshua Liggins as VP of franchise development

January 12, 2026

Dave's Hot Chicken announced Monday the appointment of Joshua Liggins as vice president of franchise development, a move intended to accelerate the brand's…

Qdoba names chief legal officer

January 12, 2026

Qdoba has hired Cathy Tang as chief legal officer, a move intended to bolster the restaurant chain's aggressive plan to double its footprint over the next…

Do Americans prefer bagels or doughnuts?

January 9, 2026

Over half of Americans believe bagels are superior to doughnuts, according to a report by Einstein Bros. Bagels ahead of National Bagel Day, which is Jan. 15.

Aloha, Innovation: Why L&L’s Eddie Flores Jr is a must-see at RFIS 2026

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Anyone who knows Eddie knows he brings a witty, frank and refreshingly honest perspective to the table. He's going to talk about the "unconventional…

Massachusetts welcomes Big Chicken

January 9, 2026

Big Chicken, the fast casual restaurant chain founded by NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, opened its newest Massachusetts location Friday at the Wrentham…