Cincinnati gets Blaze Pizza in Oakley neighborhood

August 18, 2026

Blaze Pizza has opened a restaurant in Cincinnati's Oakley neighborhood at 3206 Vandercar Way, celebrating its grand opening today with free pizza for all…

Real talk, damn good biscuits and growing a national chain

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Lauren Coulter is co-Founder and chief biscuit eater of Biscuit Belly, the Louisville, Kentucky, brunch brand she built with her husband and co-Founder, Chad…

Pokeworks reports 10% year-over-year unit growth in Q2

August 18, 2026

Irvine, California-based Pokeworks opened five locations, has eight more under development and signed multiple-unit franchise agreements during the second…

MOOYAH Burgers inks master franchise agreement for UAE expansion

August 18, 2026

Plano, Texas-based MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes signed a master franchise agreement with Great Foods USA LLC to expand the brand in the United Arab…

H&H Bagels expands Florida footprint

August 14, 2026

H&H Bagels will open its newest Florida location Aug. 17 at 12465 Northlake Blvd. in Palm Beach Gardens. Franchise owners and operators Marc Schultz and…

Smoothie King posts 9% July same-store sales growth, expands franchise pipeline

August 13, 2026

Smoothie King is seeing strong momentum from menu expansion and franchisee investment, reporting 9% same-store sales growth in July and its highest number of…

Jeff’s Bagel Run taps Hungry Howie’s franchisees for South Carolina expansion

August 11, 2026

Jeff's Bagel Run has signed a three-store agreement with franchisees Jennifer Yanakiev and Brian Edelen to enter the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, market.

Chicken Salad Chick adding to North Carolina footprint

August 10, 2026

Chicken Salad Chick will open its newest restaurant Aug. 19 at 1016 Burkemont Ave., in Morganton, North Carolina, continuing the Atlanta-based chain's…

The MilkShake Factory expands with Fort Collins, Colorado opening

August 7, 2026

The MilkShake Factory has expanded its footprint with the opening of a new location in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Pittsburgh-based dessert brand opened the…

Tropical Smoothie names Joe Sieve chief development, growth officer

August 7, 2026

Tropical Smoothie Café has hired Joe Sieve as chief development and growth officer, replacing Cheryl Fletcher, who will retire at the end of August.

&pizza to launch 1st location in Georgia

August 6, 2026

&pizza is bringing its signature edge, energy and cult-favorite pies to Georgia. The brand's first restaurant in the state is expected to open this…

Konala opens 1st New Jersey restaurant as expansion continues

August 6, 2026

Konala opened its first New Jersey restaurant July 31 at 11 Franklin Ave., in Belleville, marking another step in the company's nationwide expansion.

Jeff's Bagel Run signs 10-unit Pennsylvania franchise deal

August 6, 2026

Jeff's Bagel Run is expanding into Pennsylvania after signing a 10-unit franchise agreement with Jay and Amy DeLuca, Eric Clark and Nadia Hankin.

How Tony Roma's is using fast-casual strategies to reinvent itself

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

CEO Mina Haque explains how the 54-year-old brand is adapting to changing consumer habits without abandoning its casual-dining roots.

Crisp & Green opens 3rd Omaha-area restaurant

August 5, 2026

Crisp & Green has opened its third Omaha-area restaurant in Papillion, Nebraska, as the Minneapolis-based fast-casual brand continues to expand its…

Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café to open first North Carolina location

August 5, 2026

Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café will debut in North Carolina with a Cary restaurant, expanding the Houston-based fast casual brand's presence in the Southeast.

How Urban Bird Hot Chicken turned a bad lease into a fast-growing brand

Brandon and Chantel Gawthorp built 32 Wingstop franchises across three states over 20 years, then let it all go to bet on themselves. They opened the first…

Second Cup names former Wingstop executive Joe Walker CEO

August 4, 2026

Joe Walker, Courtesy of Second Cup Coffee Company, Inc Toronto-based Second Cup Coffee Co. has named former Wingstop executive Joe Walker as its CEO.

5 menu localization myths that could hurt your restaurant brand

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

August 4, 2026

Michael Magerl, Joel Bulger, John Iannucci and Sarah Rooney are the panelists for "From Trend to Table: Operationalizing Regional Promotions in a Multi-Unit…

JEFF’S BAGEL RUN PLANS 10 LOCATIONS ACROSS EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Jeff’s Bagel Run, the fast-growing bagel brand known for making its bagels from scratch in every shop throughout the day, has awarded a 10-unit franchise…