85°C Bakery Cafe reaches 100 U.S. locations with Colorado debut

September 23, 2026

85°C Bakery Cafe has entered Colorado with the Sept. 18 opening of its Aurora location, bringing the bakery-cafe brand to 100 locations in the U.S.

Tijuana Flats brings back 2-pound Mega-Freakin’-Juana Burrito

September 22, 2026

Tijuana Flats is bringing back its viral, two-pound Mega-Freakin'-Juana Burrito for a limited time; members of the brand's Flathead Rewards loyalty program…

What is driving Kona Ice’s success?

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Tony Lamb is the Founder and visionary behind Kona Ice, the tropical shaved-ice brand that turned an ice cream truck nightmare into experiences that customers…

Breadless launches franchise expansion with first multi-unit agreement

September 22, 2026

Detroit-based Breadless signed a multi-unit development agreement with Third Coast Harvest LLC, officially launching the brand's franchise expansion strategy.

HB Protein Smoothies signs 6-unit South Florida franchise deal

September 22, 2026

HB Protein Smoothies signed a six-unit development agreement with franchisee Bob Morris to expand in South Florida. The deal marks the Scottsdale…

KPOT Rolls Out Deliverect Across 140 U.S. Restaurants to Manage Third-Party Marketplace Ordering

Korean BBQ and hot pot chain partners with Deliverect for third-party order aggregation and menu management as it standardizes digital operations across its…

Chicken Salad Chick continues Florida expansion with Sarasota debut

September 21, 2026

Chicken Salad Chick will open a restaurant in Sarasota, Florida, on Sept. 29 as part of its continued expansion across the state.

Bread Head plans 4th Southern California location

September 21, 2026

Bread Head will open its fourth Southern California location in December 2026 at Topanga Village in Woodland Hills, California, less than 2½ years after the…

Paris Baguette partners with ‘Dancing with the Stars’ on drinks, prizes

September 18, 2026

Paris Baguette has partnered with ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" for the first time, introducing two beverages tied to the television show's 35th season.

Zaxbys signs 2 franchise agreements to expand in Mississippi

September 18, 2026

Zaxbys has signed two franchise agreements with brothers Alan and Eddie Gant to bring the Atlanta-based chicken chain to Winona and Kosciusko, Mississippi.

Smalls Sliders makes college-campus debut with 2 openings

September 17, 2026

Sandy Springs, Georgia-based Smalls Sliders will make its college-campus debut with openings at the University of Central Florida in September and the…

Slutty Vegan plans 3rd Ohio opening

September 17, 2026

Plant-based burger fast-casual chain Slutty Vegan has signed a franchise agreement with Soul Republic Hospitality Group to open a restaurant in Cincinnati…

Mo’ Bettahs to open 2nd Oklahoma City location

September 16, 2026

Mo' Bettahs will open a restaurant at 14020 N. Rockwell Ave., in Oklahoma City on Sept. 18. The location will be the Bountiful, Utah-based brand's second in…

Flying Biscuit Café signs two-unit development agreement for Palm Beach County, Florida

September 16, 2026

The Flying Biscuit Café has signed a multi-unit development agreement to open its first two restaurants in Palm Beach County, Florida.

GoTo Foods names Lucy Brady Jamba president, reshuffles additional portfolio roles

September 15, 2026

GoTo Foods has appointed Lucy Brady as president of Jamba and shifted leadership roles across its portfolio. The Atlanta-based company also named Nathan…

UFG adds 105 locations, signs 148 franchisee deals in 1H

September 15, 2026

United Franchise Group reported robust growth during the first half of 2026, adding 105 locations, signing 148 individual franchisee agreements and executing…

How Sankranti built its own fast-casual Indian food playbook

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Srinivasa “Nimms” Nimmagadda and his team spent years developing a fast-casual Indian food concept playbook through Sankranti Indian Kitchen. Now the company…

Belle Holdings opens 10th Buffalo Wild Wings GO in Virginia

September 14, 2026

Belle Holdings Inc., led by franchisee Kevin Donham, will open its 10th Buffalo Wild Wings GO location in Virginia on Sept. 17 in Henrico County. The…

Top 30 Movers & Shakers in Catering 2026

This annual initiative shines a spotlight on the visionary leaders, innovators, and brands redefining off-premises dining. From pioneering game-changing…

Presented by MONKEY Catering Platform

Rusty Taco expands nontraditional footprint through airport, entertainment venues

September 11, 2026

Rusty Taco is expanding its national footprint through nontraditional venues, including airports, convenience stores and entertainment destinations. The…