Report: 61% of restaurant workers are skipping meals due to financial stress

May 26, 2026

Instant Financial and the Center for Generational Kinetics released a 2026 report titled "Underserved: The Financial Reality of America's Hourly Restaurant…

Stop relying on hope: Marketing blueprints from Ziggi's Coffee, Lee's Chicken, Pita Pit, Budget Branders

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Panelists provide marketing insights ahead of FastCasual's upcoming "Restaurant Marketing Workshop" on June 2-3 in Boston.

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…

Smalls Sliders debuts first-ever loaded fries, 2 dessert shakes

May 21, 2026

Smalls Sliders has launched its first-ever Loaded Fries and two hand-spun dessert shakes, Key Lime Pie and Banana Pudding, available for a limited time at…

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.

Habit Burger debuts in Humboldt County with Eureka opening

May 20, 2026

Habit Burger & Grill, part of Yum! Brands' portfolio, has expanded into Humboldt County, California, with the opening of a Eureka restaurant.

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…

Jeff's Bagel Run Launches Ice Cream Summer with Jeremiah's Italian Ice Collaboration and Fan-Favorite Returnin

Jeff's Bagel Run is kicking off the season with its most indulgent summer lineup yet. Beginning May 25 and running through August 23, the brand is introducing…

Chicken Salad Chick signs 25-unit development deal in New York

May 18, 2026

Atlanta-based Chicken Salad Chick has signed a 25-unit franchise agreement for Upstate New York — Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and the Upper Hudson…

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.

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.

PJ’s Coffee to open near original Maple Street location

May 15, 2026

New Orleans-based PJ's Coffee plans to open at 7700 Maple St., New Orleans, down the street from the site of its original location, which debuted nearly 5…

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…

Deliverect Partners with DataCandy to Connect Digital Ordering, Loyalty and Gift Cards Across Every Restaurant

Integration unifies third-party, first-party, and in-store orders with loyalty and gift card programs to drive retention and personalized engagement

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…