Smoothie King launches limited-edition Pickle Smoothie

May 12, 2026

Smoothie King is leaning into the brine.

Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls intros food truck

May 11, 2026

Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls, a brick-and-mortar lobster chain, opened its first food truck. Based in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, the truck will travel to events…

Toast’s IQ Grow offers marketing assistance to restaurant operators

May 7, 2026

Toast Inc., based in Boston, has introduced Toast IQ Grow, designed to help restaurant operators expand their digital presence and grow their brands online.

Fusian updates brand identity after 16 years

May 7, 2026

Ohio-based Fusian has introduced a refreshed brand identity, its first update since the sushi fast-casual restaurant opened in 2010. The update reinforces the…

Urban Egg cracks into second Kansas City-area location

May 6, 2026

Urban Egg, a daytime restaurant chain headquartered in Colorado Springs, opened its second Kansas City-area unit on May 4.

Swig signs 10-unit franchise deal for Colorado expansion

May 6, 2026

Swig has signed a 10-unit franchise agreement with father-and-son operators Alex and Alan Knox to bring the dirty soda concept to Colorado, continuing the…

Huey Magoo’s serves up its smaller, lower-cost drive-thru prototype

May 5, 2026

Huey Magoo's is rolling out a smaller, free-standing drive-thru prototype with the goal of reducing franchisee development costs by up to 40%. The model…

Caribou Coffee rolls out value menu amid industrywide affordability push

May 4, 2026

Caribou Coffee is preparing to launch its Everyday Value Menu across all locations on May 8, offering a selection of coffee and food items priced as low as $2.

Mahana Fresh debuts GLP-1-friendly menu

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

May 1, 2026

Fast-casual health brand Mahana Fresh has introduced a GLP-1-friendly menu designed for customers using weight-loss and diabetes medications. The menu rolled…

Taim Mediterranean Kitchen eyes East Coast growth through franchising

May 1, 2026

Taim Mediterranean Kitchen, part of the Craveworthy Brands portfolio, is expanding across the East and Northeast through franchising.

Crisp & Green takes root in Omaha, plans to grow more restaurants

April 30, 2026

Crisp & Green has opened its second Omaha location in five years at 16902 Wright Plaza. The first Omaha location, at 225 N. 80th St., debuted in 2021.

Shipley Do-Nuts reports a sweet start to 2026

April 29, 2026

Doughnut-and-kolache brand Shipley Do-Nuts reported a strong first quarter, driven by menu innovation, leadership additions and continued expansion.

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream scoops up strong Q1 figures

April 29, 2026

Handel's Homemade Ice Cream reported a strong start to the year, driven by market entries and franchise development.

Freddy’s boosts development team to drive growth

April 28, 2026

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has expanded its development team, hiring Rafik Farouk as vice president of business development and Jackie Lobdell…

Mo’ Bettahs debuts in Arizona as the brand’s expansion accelerates

April 28, 2026

Mo' Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food has expanded into Arizona, with its first location to open next week at 5378 S. Powers Road in Gilbert.

Cheba Hut sparks 2nd Wyoming location

April 27, 2026

Marijuana-themed sandwich chain Cheba Hut has opened its second location in Wyoming.

Taco John’s hires Ian Poole as VP of development to fuel growth

April 24, 2026

Taco John's has named industry veteran Ian Poole vice president of development. Poole will focus on franchisee support, onboarding, real estate and…

Moe’s jumps on snacking trend to drive late-night traffic

April 24, 2026

Moe's Southwest Grill has introduced the Burrito Dipper, its first snack-sized menu item, as part of a broader push into late-night service.

Nick the Greek opens second Reno location, plans to reach 100 units by mid-2026

April 23, 2026

Nick the Greek has opened its second location in Reno, 10310 N. McCarran Blvd., as part of an expansion plan to reach 100 restaurant openings by mid-2026. The…

Scooter’s brews Southeast growth with Boddie-Noell partnership

April 23, 2026

Scooter's Coffee has signed a multi-store development agreement with Boddie-Noell Enterprises to expand its Southeast presence.