Clean Juice launches Sparkler drinks amid refresher boom

May 21, 2026

Clean Juice has entered the growing refresher beverage category with the limited-time launch of Sparklers, a line of sparkling fruit-based drinks made with…

Smashburger builds executive bench with CMO hire

May 21, 2026

Smashburger has hired Kate Savelli as chief marketing officer. The move comes as the company continues to build nationwide momentum.

The success formula that took Everbowl from 1 to 400 locations

I sat down with Jeff Fenster, who built five eight- to nine-figure companies, exited three, and grew Everbowl to more than 100 open locations with almost 40…

Penn Station rebrands, updates menu as franchise expansion accelerates

May 20, 2026

Fast-casual sandwich chain Penn Station East Coast Subs has rebranded as Penn Station Sandwiches as part of a broader growth strategy focused on franchise…

The Power of Financial Planning, Financial Visibility leads to business sustainability

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

To achieve sustainable growth and avoid the "stuck zone," Founders must overcome the emotional avoidance of their financials by owning their P&L, hiring expert…

Rōti Modern Mediterranean launches London ghost kitchens, expands Atlanta footprint

May 18, 2026

Rōti Modern Mediterranean has opened four ghost kitchens in the United Kingdom and suburban Atlanta as part of its continued expansion strategy. The brand…

2026 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers

Welcome to the 2026 edition of the Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers. Each year, this report serves as a pulse check for the industry, celebrating the…

Presented by Elo Touch Solutions, Inc.

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…

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…

Mo’ Bettahs to open 2nd Arizona location

May 15, 2026

Bountiful, Utah-based Mo' Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food will open its second Arizona restaurant May 18 at 50 W. Jefferson St., in downtown Phoenix.

Jimmy John’s adds wraps to Canadian menu

May 14, 2026

Jimmy John's has introduced wraps to its Canadian menu for a limited time at participating locations.

Love & Honey enters Florida with 20-unit development deal

May 14, 2026

Philadelphia-based fast-casual chicken chain Love & Honey is expanding into Florida through a 20-unit development agreement. The restaurants mark the…

Innovation in every sip: How Tractor Beverage Co. is changing the beverage landscape

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

John Murphy, chief revenue officer of Tractor Beverage Co., discusses the company's award-winning revival of the 17th-century "switchel" and how its organic…

Presented by Tractor Beverage Co.

Ziggi’s Coffee launches protein menu following consumer survey findings

May 13, 2026

Ziggi's Coffee has introduced a permanent protein menu in response to growing consumer demand for functional beverages, according to findings from a national…

Mellow Mushroom VP shares secrets to long-term franchise success

In this episode of the Pizza Marketplace podcast, Mellow Mushroom VP of Franchise Development Jamie Cecil discusses the brand's 50-year history of "unicorn…

Playa Bowls gears up for 400th opening

May 12, 2026

Playa Bowls, headquartered in Belmar, New Jersey, is preparing to mark a major milestone this week with the opening of its 400th location at 1900 Pacific Ave.…

Fuku continues South Florida expansion with planned West Palm Beach opening

May 12, 2026

Fuku is opening its second South Florida restaurant at 407 S. Rosemary Ave., in West Palm Beach. Additional details, including an opening date, are forthcoming.

How the Best Franchise Groups Get Franchise Communication Right

The bigger your franchise gets, the harder team communication becomes to manage. This guide covers what every franchise operator needs to know about keeping…

The Power of One Direction: one of the most important and underutilized factors of greatness

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

The "Power of One Direction" is a leadership discipline where Founders transition from keeping strategies in their heads to creating a written plan, providing…

What Every Multi-Location Business Needs to Know About Team Communication

Here's what every multi-location business needs to know about getting team communication right at scale.