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…

How FiiZ Drinks is turning a viral beverage trend into a scalable brand

Plus, Instant CEO Tal Clark reveals new data on restaurant worker financial stress and why faster access to earned wages could be the next retention advantage

Presented by Instant Financial

Shipley Donuts grows footprint with 9-shop franchise deals in Q2

July 31, 2026

Shipley Donuts expanded its national presence during the first half of 2026, signing franchise agreements for nine shops, entering three new markets and…

How Latitude Food Group CEO James O’Reilly is scaling &pizza, Tijuana Flats

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

As CEO of Latitude Food Group, industry veteran James O'Reilly is leveraging a centralized backend support model and rigorous operational discipline to…

JEFF’S BAGEL RUN EXPANDS TO MYRTLE BEACH WITH THREE-STORE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT

Jeff’s Bagel Run, the rapidly growing bagel brand known for its scratch-made hot bagels, freshly whipped spreads and craft coffees and beverages, today…

Hawaiian Bros signs 8-unit Louisville-area development deal

July 28, 2026

Hawaiian Bros Island Grill is expanding in Kentucky with an eight-unit development agreement targeted for the greater Louisville market. A local franchisee…

Gong cha signs 50-unit Texas development deal

July 28, 2026

Gong cha Americas has signed an exclusive area development agreement with franchise operator Bakers Acres & Cattle Company to open 50 locations across…

Buffalo’s Express opens 1st standalone restaurant, expands beyond Fatburger co-brand model

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

FAT Brands' Jake Berchtold explains how the former co-located Buffalo's Express opened its first stand-alone restaurant in Washington State.