Business Strategy and Profitability Features

GOOOOOOOALLLLLLL: Fast casual restaurants capitalizing on World Cup fever

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Along with national pride and fan excitement, this year's FIFA World Cup provides restaurants with an opportunity to increase their customer base. Experts tell…

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Part 1: Cool technologies at the NRA Show 2026

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Editor Mandy Wolf Detwiler spent time in the tech pavilion at the National Restaurant Association Show.

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Stop relying on hope: Marketing blueprints from Ziggi's Coffee, Lee's Chicken, Pita Pit, Budget Branders

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Panelists provide marketing insights ahead of FastCasual's upcoming "Restaurant Marketing Workshop" on June 2-3 in Boston.

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Off-premise blitz: Turning pandemic survival tactics into long-term growth engines

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Industry leaders at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit highlighted how the shift from convenience to a permanent off-premise model requires a…

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Ovation, Tap leaders share tips on crafting a guest feedback strategy

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

A panel talk at the upcoming Restaurant Marketing Workshop will deliver insight on not only getting a guest feedback approach up and running but tips and…

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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.

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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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