Business Strategy and Profitability Features

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.

Disposable cameras and raw reactions: Why 'imperfect' social media content is winning in 2026

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Marketing leaders from Via 313, ATL Wing Spot, and Hook + Ladder explain how multi-unit restaurant brands can drive sustained foot traffic in 2026 by balancing…

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Blaze Pizza, Farmer Boys, Mike's Red Tacos, HigherMe experts discuss recruitment, retention

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Industry experts at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit emphasized that sustainable restaurant profitability and successful scaling depend on…

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How going digital helped Hawaiian Bros increase catering revenue

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Hawaiian Bros Island Grill turned to Lunchbox's digital catering platform to meet the growing demand for group orders. The move also allowed the Hawaiian…

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Cicis Pizza takes No. 1 spot on Pizza Marketplace's 2026 Top 100 Movers & Shakers list

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Cicis Pizza took home the top honors as Pizza Marketplace's annual event in Las Vegas; Moto Pizza won a tech award from XRobotics and Pizza Nova's Domenic…

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How top franchise brands turn culture into direct profitability

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

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

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From café to national movement: Clean Eatz Founders on scaling wellness without losing heart

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Clean Eatz is a franchise co-founded by Don and Evonne Varady that solves the time vs. health dilemma by offering convenient, macro-balanced meals, from…

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Chicken Salad Chick, Main Squeeze Juice Co, Original ChopShop, Dog Haus leaders talk marketing on a limited dime

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

A panel of fast casual executives shared that maximizing social media ROI with limited budgets is best achieved through deep community involvement, leveraging…

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Crust Pizza Co., L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, Gong cha, Juice It Up execs talk the future of franchising

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Executive insights from the Fast Casual Executive Summit reveal that the franchising model is rapidly evolving due to technology, changing consumer and…

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Onigilly: More than just sushi

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Onigilly has seven restaurants in the San Francisco Bay area.

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Farmer Boys, Taco Cabana, Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill execs talk high-tech drive-thrus

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

A Fast Casual Executive Summit session highlighted the drive-thru's post-pandemic evolution, moving beyond just speed to prioritize accuracy, hospitality and…

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Brazilian concept TAP wins The Perfect Pitch contest at the Fast Casual Executive Summit 2025

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Eight fledgling brands competed in the event, billed as a nicer version of "Shark Tank."

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Reality star Karlie Redd talks good food, service, location at Fast Casual Executive Summit

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Love and Hip Hop Atlanta star Karlie Redd shared brand success insight with attendees at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Austin, Texas, on Sunday.

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The human touch: How kiosks are transforming retail, restaurants

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Self-service kiosks have evolved from a novelty to an essential tool in retail and restaurants, streamlining operations and improving customer experience by…

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Gong cha, Crust Pizza leaders talk franchising in today's modern restaurant world

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

A session at the Fast Casual Executive Summit will look at franchising dos and don'ts as well as the latest trends and innovations in franchising.

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How AI turning labor from cost center into growth driver for QSRs

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

In a free webinar titled "Labor Forecasting 2.0: Predicting Future Demand and Staffing for Efficient Growth with AI" viewers will learn how AI is powering…

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Starbucks CEO reveals 5-step recovery plan

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Despite a 2% decline in global comparable store sales and a 45% year-over-year decrease in EPS, CEO Brian Niccol is spearheading a turnaround strategy…

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Velvet Taco, Salad House, &pizza, Erik's DeliCafe leaders talk online engagement, smart promotions

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

Top restaurant leaders share insight on fueling growth through online engagement and smart promotions at the upcoming Fast Casual Executive Summit.

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Speaker Spotlight: Susan Taylor, Juice It Up CEO and president

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Susan Taylor, CEO and president of Juice It Up, shares a look at her career, achievements and industry trends ahead of her appearance at Fast Casual Executive…

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