Scaling the heat: How Houston TX Hot Chicken is building a breakout chicken brand

by Fast Casual

Houston TX Hot Chicken maintains its growth by keeping it focused on one core moment: the customer's reaction after taking their first bite of its Nashville…

Presented by Houston TX Hot Chicken

Smoothie King to shift menu, store design

April 21, 2026

Smoothie King has announced a brand evolution plan to support and accelerate long-term growth. The Dallas-based fast-casual chain, which has over 1,10…

Kayla Edidin named COO of Red Door Brands

April 21, 2026

Kayla Edidin has been named chief operating officer of Red Door Brands, a franchise company that owns and operates brands including McAlister's Deli, Little…

Pokeworks bowls up record Q1, expands pipeline and menu

April 20, 2026

Irvine, California-based Pokeworks reported its strongest first-quarter performance since its 2015 launch, resulting from openings, development deals and menu…

WaBa Grill eyes $1M AUV, unveils 2026 plans

April 20, 2026

WaBa Grill is on track to exceed $1 million in average unit volumes and reported 10% same-store sales growth early this year, according to a company press…

Nothing Bundt Cakes achieves sweet milestone, opens 800th location

April 17, 2026

Nothing Bundt Cakes launched its 800th bakery on April 15.

Freddy’s lands 1st military base location

April 17, 2026

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers deployed its first restaurant on a U.S. military installation, opening April 15 at U.S. Army post Fort Lee in Prince…

Which Wich stacks UK expansion with London franchise deal

April 16, 2026

Dallas-based Which Wich is boosting its U.K. expansion through a multi-unit franchise agreement with franchisee Reza Hassanadeh.

Bean & Brews pours on expansion with 7 openings in Q1

April 16, 2026

Bean & Brews Coffee House continued its national growth plans, opening seven locations in the first quarter of 2026, according to a company press release.

ConverseNow and Deliverect Announce Partnership to Bring Voice AI Ordering into Unified Restaurant Order & Men

Integration Enables Restaurants to Seamlessly Manage AI-Powered Voice Orders Across Digital Channels

Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks Secures Tampa Expansion as Growth Strategy Gains Speed

Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks has secured its entry into the Tampa market, marking a significant step forward in the brand’s national expansion strategy and…

Jimmy John’s gets lit with celeb-built 4/20 menu

April 14, 2026

Jimmy John's will tap into cannabis culture through the launch of its "Dream Rotation," a limited-time menu celebrating the April 20 holiday. The Champaign…

Bubbakoo’s Burritos taps Bikky to power data strategy, fuel growth

April 13, 2026

Bubbakoo's Burritos has partnered with Bikky to centralize customer data and strengthen its technology as a foundation for growth.

Teriyaki Madness ups protein game with Two-By-Two Bowl

April 10, 2026

Denver-based Teriyaki Madness has boosted the protein presence on its menu by adding the Two-By-Two Bowl, a limited-time offering that builds on the…

Phoenix heats up with 2nd Houston TX Hot Chicken location

April 10, 2026

Houston TX Hot Chicken is doubling its Arizona presence.

'Stuff it': Panera Bread introduces bread rolls filled with salads

April 9, 2026

Panera Bread has introduced Salad Stuffers, a handheld version of the brand's green offerings. The item features a specially made, hollowed-out Italian roll…

Deliverect launches AI agents and smart assistants to supercharge restaurant sales

The intelligent engine for digital revenue, now available to UK clients, with Australia, New Zealand and North America to follow.

Saucy by KFC adds Drips by Pepsi beverages to menu

April 8, 2026

Saucy by KFC, KFC's fast casual brand, has upped its beverage offerings with the addition of Drips by Pepsi to the menu. The 16-ounce drinks combine PepsiCo…

Little Caesars VP of franchise development talks brand growth, solid operations

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Podcast host Mandy Detwiler talks to Bryan Ketelhut, VP of franchise and business development for Little Caesars.

Resilient but restless: Fast casuals outpace industry as 2026 competition heats up

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

In 2025, fast-casual brands outperformed despite challenges. Predictions for 2026 include sector expansion with a focus on health, pricing, and competition.