Toast’s IQ Grow offers marketing assistance to restaurant operators

May 7, 2026

Toast Inc., based in Boston, has introduced Toast IQ Grow, designed to help restaurant operators expand their digital presence and grow their brands online.

How R&R Brands scaled from a single brand to a multi-brand platform

I sat down with Scott Taylor, Founder and CEO of R&R Brands, a visionary and an industry icon whose fingerprints are on some of the most important…

Why most fast casual Italian concepts fail —And how Piada is beating the odds

Is fast casual Italian finally having its breakthrough moment? In this episode of Fast Casual Nation, hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler sit down with Matt…

Swig signs 10-unit franchise deal for Colorado expansion

May 6, 2026

Swig has signed a 10-unit franchise agreement with father-and-son operators Alex and Alan Knox to bring the dirty soda concept to Colorado, continuing the…

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.

Huey Magoo’s serves up its smaller, lower-cost drive-thru prototype

May 5, 2026

Huey Magoo's is rolling out a smaller, free-standing drive-thru prototype with the goal of reducing franchisee development costs by up to 40%. The model…

6 Signs Your Restaurant Team Communication Is Out of Control

If any of these signs sound familiar, it’s worth seriously rethinking how your team communication is set up.

The Power of One leadership team: Building a Founder’s leadership team for success

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

May 4, 2026

To scale a business successfully, a founder must transition from being the organization’s primary bottleneck to building a high-level Power of One leadership…

DoorDash for Business dishes up new catering and meal management tools

May 4, 2026

DoorDash for Business has expanded its workplace offerings by launching tray-style catering and a Meal Manager platform designed to consolidate and streamline…

How One Restaurant Fixed Its Team Communication Chaos (And What Every Operator Can Learn From It)

Most restaurants are losing data, burning out staff, and starting from scratch every time someone leaves. Here's how one multi-location BBQ restaurant fixed…

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…

Taim Mediterranean Kitchen eyes East Coast growth through franchising

May 1, 2026

Taim Mediterranean Kitchen, part of the Craveworthy Brands portfolio, is expanding across the East and Northeast through franchising.

Crisp & Green takes root in Omaha, plans to grow more restaurants

April 30, 2026

Crisp & Green has opened its second Omaha location in five years at 16902 Wright Plaza. The first Omaha location, at 225 N. 80th St., debuted in 2021.

Shipley Do-Nuts reports a sweet start to 2026

April 29, 2026

Doughnut-and-kolache brand Shipley Do-Nuts reported a strong first quarter, driven by menu innovation, leadership additions and continued expansion.

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream scoops up strong Q1 figures

April 29, 2026

Handel's Homemade Ice Cream reported a strong start to the year, driven by market entries and franchise development.

How The Red Chickz brought true Nashville soul to the West Coast

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Podcast host Mandy Detwiler talks to Shawn Lalehzarian, co-founder of the West Coast Nashville hot chicken brand The Red Chickz about the brand's aesthetic…

Freddy’s boosts development team to drive growth

April 28, 2026

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has expanded its development team, hiring Rafik Farouk as vice president of business development and Jackie Lobdell…

Mo’ Bettahs debuts in Arizona as the brand’s expansion accelerates

April 28, 2026

Mo' Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food has expanded into Arizona, with its first location to open next week at 5378 S. Powers Road in Gilbert.

Cheba Hut sparks 2nd Wyoming location

April 27, 2026

Marijuana-themed sandwich chain Cheba Hut has opened its second location in Wyoming.

More than a post: Turning influencers into content engines for your restaurant

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

At the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit, marketing experts discussed the evolution of influencer marketing from a secondary tactic into a core…