Dodo Pizza’s playbook for international success

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

In this Pizza Marketplace podcast, executives from Dodo Brands discuss how the company uses its proprietary technology platform and a balance of global…

Scooter’s Coffee breaks ground on $40M Nebraska distribution center

July 14, 2026

Scooter's Coffee has broken ground on a 154,400-square-foot cold-storage distribution center in Papillion, Nebraska. The $40 million facility at 11656 S. 158th…

Jeff's Bagel Run Introduces Refreshers, a New Line of Lightly Caffeinated Fruit Beverages

Jeff's Bagel Run, the fast-growing bagel brand known for its scratch-made hot bagels, freshly whipped spreads and handcrafted beverages, today announced the…

Juice it Up opens California location

July 9, 2026

Juice it Up has opened a new location in Roseville, California. Local husband-and-wife franchisees Paul and Sonja Grotke own and operate the store at 97…

South Block to open Tenleytown location July 11

July 7, 2026

Fast-casual acai bowl and smoothie chain South Block will open a location in Washington, D.C.'s Tenleytown neighborhood on July 11. The restaurant, at 452…

How Joe & the Juice is scaling without losing brand identity

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Joe & the Juice combines aggressive U.S. expansion plans with maintaining the identity that factored into its growth.

Smoothie King to open 1st Western New York location in Penfield

June 26, 2026

Smoothie King will open its first Western New York location on July 18 in Penfield as part of a three-unit development agreement. The restaurant, located at…

Freddy's joins premium beverage trend with new drink lineup

June 25, 2026

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has launched Freddy's Bevies, a beverage lineup featuring custard cream sodas, flavored teas and lemonades. The…

Gong cha debuts in Maine with South Portland location

June 24, 2026

Boston-based Gong cha will soon launch its first Maine location next week in South Portland, bringing the bubble tea brand to 200 Running Hill Road. The unit…

Former senator opening Juice It Up in Utah

June 22, 2026

Juice It Up! has entered Utah through a multi-unit development agreement with local franchisees Aaron and Nancy Osmond. The move expands the smoothie and raw…

Bahama Buck’s partners with Qu to upgrade POS, operations platform

June 18, 2026

Bahama Buck's has selected Qu to overhaul its technology infrastructure as the shaved-ice franchise continues national expansion.

Starbucks debuts Blue Coconut beverages tied to Water.org donation campaign

June 17, 2026

Seattle-based Starbucks has introduced two summer beverages: the Blue Coconut Refresher and Iced Blue Coconut Matcha. Connected with the cold drinks are a…

Tropical Smoothie Café unveils limited-time Moana-inspired beverage

June 12, 2026

Tropical Smoothie Café has introduced the How Far You'll Go Mango Smoothie, a limited-time beverage available at participating locations nationwide through…

Gamification helps improve Smoothie King's loyalty program

June 12, 2026

Smoothie King is seeing early gains from adding game-like features to its Healthy Rewards loyalty program.

The return of the Unicorn Frappuccino: Can Starbucks avoid the headaches this time around?

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

When Starbucks created the drink nearly nine years ago, it generated significant consumer interest, leading to thousands of social media posts but also…

7 Brew continues pouring it on, opens 777th stand in San Antonio

June 11, 2026

7 Brew Coffee has reached a milestone of 777 stands in the United States. The triple-seven location at 9219 Potranco Road in San Antonio is now serving…

Shake Shack brings back viral Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake

June 9, 2026

Shake Shack, headquartered in New York City, is bringing back its Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake to all U.S. locations for a limited time. Inspired by the…

Swig signs 6 unit franchise deal to fuel South Texas growth

June 4, 2026

Swig continues its Texas expansion with a new six-unit franchise agreement that will bring the beverage brand to communities across South Texas. The St.

Jeff’s Bagel Run, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice scoop up summer collaboration

May 22, 2026

Jeff's Bagel Run has partnered with Jeremiah's Italian Ice for a limited-time "Ice Cream Summer" menu featuring specialty cream cheeses and beverages available…

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…