ICX Summit: Brand leaders to share e-commerce excellence insight

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

E-commerce leaders will discuss creating seamless customer experiences at the upcoming Interactive Customer Experience Summit being held in Charlotte, North…

Long John Silver’s, Blaze Pizza, Slim Chickens execs talk expansion, real estate

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Restaurants executives from Long John SIlver's, Moxie, Slim Chickens and Blaze Pizza talked about expansion and the state of restaurant real estate at the…

TikTok a powerful call-to-action tool for restaurant operators

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Three TikTok experts led a panel discussion on using the social media platform at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit in Kansas City.

Slice House by Tony Gemignani takes top honors at Pizza Marketplace Top 100 Movers & Shakers event

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Slice House has awarded over 139 franchise agreements since the brand began franchising last year.

Authentic experiences: How your brand can reach Gen Z for success and customer loyalty

by Daniel Brown — Editor, Networld Media Group

The APC Gen Z study found that Gen Z has five top demands from businesses and brands: 1. Authenticity. 2. PhysiDigital. 3. Experiential. 4. Custom. 5.

WOWorks, Craveworthy Brands, Cousins Maine Lobster execs talk menu optimization, strategy

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Adam Terranova, senior director of growth for WOWorks, Jeremy Theisen, chief growth and development officer at Craveworthy Brands and Annie Tselikis, director…

Capriotti’s, Wing Zone, Swamp Dawg, Goodcents execs talk growth with lean teams

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Restaurant labor shortages have become a pervasive issue, affecting both corporate and store-level operations. Three restaurant executives discussed labor…

Scooter's Coffee exec: 'The whole point of innovation is growth'

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Nathan Lester, senior director, drive-thru innovations for Scooter’s Coffee, spoke about pairing innovation and growth during the keynote address kicking off…

The evolution of Mazzio's Italian Eatery: Expanded menu, footprint makes brand a standout

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Mazzio's Italian Eatery is a 108-unit pizza brand based out of Oklahoma. For the past several years, the brand has been overhauling its existing restaurants…

How District Taco grew from a food cart to a franchise powerhouse

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

District Taco, a fast casual Mexican restaurant brand, began a food cart in 2009. Now it’s a multi-unit restaurant franchise expanding its footprint in…

'It's a revolution': Jars by Fabio Viviani brings playfulness back to desserts

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Jars by Fabio Viviani is a dessert concept that could be coming to a town near you. Though the brand has one unit open in Chicago, it has sold more than a…

Cinnaholic on a roll to bring joy of signature sweets to the world

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Cinnaholic has more than 87 units. The signature roll brand is far from the typical sweet snack. It offers a completely customizable menu of rolls and desserts…

Ghost kitchens feeding revenue stream for virtual food brands

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The ghost kitchen offers an opportunity for companies already operating a kitchen to expand delivery sales to include 'virtual' food brands. Sisto Perez, of…

Garces Group, Ballad Brands, Ideation Hospitality make Buena Onda winner

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

In a keynote address at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit, three restaurant execs discuss launching Buena Onda, which now has five locations.

Food Truck Operator names 'Food Trucks to Watch’ in 2023

The first-ever edition of Food Truck Operator’s free ‘Food Trucks to Watch in 2023’ report offers an insider look at two dozen food truck operations across the…

Capriotti's, Original ChopShop, Sweetfin leaders talk extending hospitality to digital customers

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

Technology is playing a big role in providing a robust digital customer experience.

How former Wall Streeter created a 25-unit smoothie brand

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Baya Bar has 25 locations and will double nationally over the next 18 months.

Taco Bell Cantina, Arby's franchisee talks innovation at #QSRNext event

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

S.G. Ellison, president of Diversified Restaurant Group, a Taco Bell and Arby's franchisee, spoke about how both companies innovate at the #QSRNext event…

Chip Cookies bakes up plans for 500 stores in 5 years

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Chip Cookies has 10 units in Utah and Idaho. The brand's leadership plans to open 500 stores in the next five years.

Blaze Pizza CEO: Pizzaverse tech still growing, staffing can be addressed

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

During the Pizza Leadership Virtual Summit, Blaze Pizza CEO Mandy Shaw addressed the rise in technology and current staffing challenges.