Business Strategy and Profitability Features

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.

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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.

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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…

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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.

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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.

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White Castle among businesses utilizing AI

by Kevin Damask — Editor, Digital Signage Today

While the use of artificial intelligence has grown throughout several industries in recent years, there is still a great deal of mystery surrounding AI. A…

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Examining all the benefits of high oleic soybean oil

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

High oleic soybean oil offers benefits to restaurants as well as dining customers, from nutritional aspects to extended fry life.

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Taco Del Mar ready to grow with local focus, great food

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Taco Del Mar once had upwards of 300 stores. Now, wth just under 100, and new ownership, the brand is eager to grow with a local focus and great food.

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Chipotle, Rally’s, Noodles & Company execs talk increasing drive-thru experience

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Drive-thru innovation and the customer experience was the focus of a panel discussion at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit held this month in…

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Bonchon, Asian Box, Zoup Eatery leaders discuss hiring, retention best practices

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Hiring and retention remains a critical issue plaguing the restaurant industry today. A panel of experts at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit…

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Original ChopShop, McAllister's, Mutt's Canine Cantina leaders share clever marketing tips

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

A panel discussion at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit examined ways to market without breaking the budget.

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Examining alternatives to raising menu prices

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

In the second part of a two-part series on raising prices, we examine how much is too much and potential alternatives to increasing prices.

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How Oath Pizza's refresh is modernizing its operations

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Oath Pizza was founded in 2015 and is already undergoing a rebrand. Learn what's behind the brand refresh and how it will affect the company's future.

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How to determine when it's time to boost menu prices

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

In part one of a two-part series, we take a look at making the decision to raise prices and how to do so without losing the customer base.

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Wow Bao leader talks career growth, how ghost kitchens can drive success

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Wow Bao CEO Geoff Alexander kicked off the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, being held March 30 through April 1, with a…

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Mici Italian has big plans for 2022

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Mici Italian has seven units in the Denver area. The company is poised for growth and has plans to double its size in 2022.

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Roll-Em-Up Taquitos on a franchising fast track

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Roll-Em-Up Taquitos has three stores open, but 11 deals for 80 units in the works. With regional expansion plans, the company might just be coming to a center…

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Fast casual leaders share inspirational insight, labor shortage strategy

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

Four fast casual leaders offered up insight on overcoming challenges, from dealing with COVID shutdowns to the ongoing labor shortage, at the Fast Casual…

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Blaze Pizza CEO: We’re facing industry challenges head on

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

There are more than a few big challenges facing pizza brands, but Blaze Pizza, given its strength and willingness to succeed, is facing the hurdles head on.

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Panera Bread execs: We're not afraid of taking risks

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Eduardo Luz, chief brand and concept officer, and Rob Sopkin, SVP, chief development officer, at Panera Bread, shared the keynote at the Fast Casual Executive…

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