The birria playbook: How Mike’s Red Tacos is using the Dave’s Hot Chicken strategy to scale

In this episode of Fast Casual Nation, host Cherryh Cansler sits down with Lance Salsman, SVP of Operations & Training at Mike's Red Tacos, recorded live at…

Bango: From a 300-square-foot acai shop to leading a 'Better for You' movement

On this episode of the Founderology — Built to Breakthrough podcast, I talk with Ryan Thorman, Founder and CEO of Bango and a contributor to the Founderology…

Gregorys Coffee partners with Craveworthy to perk interest in franchises

April 6, 2026

Gregorys Coffee has joined forces with Craveworthy Brands, the parent company of Shaquille O'Neal-founded Big Chicken, Bd's Mongolian Grill and 16 other…

Playa Bowls launches 1st Canadian location

April 6, 2026

Playa Bowls is opening its first Canadian location as part of a cross-country expansion plan.

Huey Magoo’s lays groundwork for 100 locations

April 2, 2026

Huey Magoo's is hoping to add 100 units in 2026. To advance the goal, the Orlando-headquartered company is looking westward and has inked a 15-unit franchise…

Streamlining success: Randy Sharpe on pruning franchises, menus at Wahlburgers

In this episode of Fast Casual Nation, hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler sit down with Randy Sharpe, CEO of Wahlburgers, to discuss one of the more…

The Melt heats up growth with franchising strategy

April 1, 2026

San Francisco-based The Melt is seeking experienced multi-unit restaurant operators to help expand its presence in California and Arizona, where it owns and…

Birdcall to open at Coors Field

April 1, 2026

Birdcall will open its newest restaurant at Coors Field in Denver when the Colorado Rockies host the Philadelphia Phillies for their April 3 home opener.

Prince St. Pizza partners with Dave’s Hot Chicken franchisee for national expansion

March 31, 2026

Prince St. Pizza, a New York-based pizzeria known for its Sicilian-style square pies, has formed a partnership with restaurateur Lawrence Kourie to expand the…

Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken makes Honduras debut

March 30, 2026

Big Chicken, the fast-casual brand founded by former NBA player and entrepreneur Shaquille O'Neal, has opened two restaurants in Honduras, marking its…

Patrick Cunningham named Mike’s Red Tacos chief development officer

March 30, 2026

Mike's Red Tacos has appointed Patrick Cunningham as chief development officer, joining newly named company President Vincent Montanelli in the company's…

The $600K gamble: Why Jae Kim nearly walked away from the Sharks

Jae Kim, founder of Chi'Lantro, joins Fast Casual Nation to share how he built a Korean-Tex Mex fusion brand from a single Austin food truck in 2010 into a…

Fatburger debuts in France

March 25, 2026

FAT Brands Inc. has opened its first Fatburger franchise in Paris, launching a planned 30-unit expansion across France. The restaurant is on Avenue du Général…

Cicis Pizza takes No. 1 spot on Pizza Marketplace's 2026 Top 100 Movers & Shakers list

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Cicis Pizza took home the top honors as Pizza Marketplace's annual event in Las Vegas; Moto Pizza won a tech award from XRobotics and Pizza Nova's Domenic…

Cheba Hut to open 7th Las Vegas location

March 23, 2026

Cheba Hut, headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, announced it will open its seventh Las Vegas location March 29 at 6485 N. Durango Drive in Centennial Hills.

Walk-On’s partners with Cole Swindell, plans Nashville location

March 20, 2026

Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux has expanded its franchise efforts by teaming up with Jamie Daniel of Daniel Hospitality Group, according to a company press release.

Fueling growth from 1 cup to 100+ locations

Brandon Knudsen, co-founder and CEO of Ziggi’s Coffee, shares critical advice on how he bootstrapped Ziggi's from a single coffee shop to more than 10…

Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks Names Shawna Snyder Chief Operating Officer to Drive Strategic National Growth

Industry veteran brings decades of multi-unit growth experience as Big Dave’s builds the operational backbone to support national expansion following recent…

The accidental franchisor: Eddie Flores Jr. kicks off Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit with candid look at L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

March 17, 2026

Eddie Flores Jr. transitioned from real estate to become the franchisor of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, building a legacy based on the "aloha spirit" and family…

Bambu opens inside Colorado Walmart Supercenter

March 17, 2026

Just over a month after announcing a partnership with Walmart stores, Vietnamese dessert chain Bambu has opened a inside a Walmart Supercenter in Westminster…