The birria playbook: How Mike’s Red Tacos is using the Dave’s Hot Chicken strategy to scale

In this episode of Fast Casual Nation, host Cherryh Cansler sits down with Lance Salsman, SVP of Operations & Training at Mike's Red Tacos, recorded live at…

Bango: From a 300-square-foot acai shop to leading a 'Better for You' movement

On this episode of the Founderology — Built to Breakthrough podcast, I talk with Ryan Thorman, Founder and CEO of Bango and a contributor to the Founderology…

Playa Bowls launches 1st Canadian location

April 6, 2026

Playa Bowls is opening its first Canadian location as part of a cross-country expansion plan.

Ziggi’s Coffee pours it on with Spicer, Hamm hires

April 3, 2026

Ziggi's Coffee, headquartered in Longmont, Colorado, has hired restaurant veterans Darren Spicer and Betsy Hamm to help fuel the brand's ongoing expansion.

Huey Magoo’s lays groundwork for 100 locations

April 2, 2026

Huey Magoo's is hoping to add 100 units in 2026. To advance the goal, the Orlando-headquartered company is looking westward and has inked a 15-unit franchise…

Starbucks betting on mango

April 2, 2026

Mango flavors have earned a permanent place on the Starbucks drink menus, according to a company press release.

Streamlining success: Randy Sharpe on pruning franchises, menus at Wahlburgers

In this episode of Fast Casual Nation, hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler sit down with Randy Sharpe, CEO of Wahlburgers, to discuss one of the more…

The Melt heats up growth with franchising strategy

April 1, 2026

San Francisco-based The Melt is seeking experienced multi-unit restaurant operators to help expand its presence in California and Arizona, where it owns and…

Birdcall to open at Coors Field

April 1, 2026

Birdcall will open its newest restaurant at Coors Field in Denver when the Colorado Rockies host the Philadelphia Phillies for their April 3 home opener.

7 Brew announces 1st on-campus stand development

April 1, 2026

7 Brew Coffee plans to open its first on-campus stand — and third walk-through location — at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. The unit is scheduled…

Nestlé: Co-creating the future of breakfast

Building a global insight community for the largest food and beverage company in the world

Presented by Service Management Group

Michael Dixon joins Zaxbys as chief financial officer

March 31, 2026

Zaxbys has appointed Michael Dixon as chief financial officer.

Patrick Cunningham named Mike’s Red Tacos chief development officer

March 30, 2026

Mike's Red Tacos has appointed Patrick Cunningham as chief development officer, joining newly named company President Vincent Montanelli in the company's…

Vicious Biscuit revamps cocktail menu after guest feedback

March 27, 2026

Fast-casual brunch chain Vicious Biscuit updated its cocktail menu in response to guest feedback and internal testing that showed higher demand for…

NAYA to open 17 restaurants in 2026

March 27, 2026

Lebanese fast-casual brand NAYA plans to open 17 new locations this year.

The $600K gamble: Why Jae Kim nearly walked away from the Sharks

Jae Kim, founder of Chi'Lantro, joins Fast Casual Nation to share how he built a Korean-Tex Mex fusion brand from a single Austin food truck in 2010 into a…

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…

Team Communication for Restaurant Staff: A Better Alternative to Group Texts

Group texts aren't built for restaurant teams. Here's why food service businesses are switching to dedicated team communication apps, and what to look for.

Fatburger debuts in France

March 25, 2026

FAT Brands Inc. has opened its first Fatburger franchise in Paris, launching a planned 30-unit expansion across France. The restaurant is on Avenue du Général…

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…