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

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…

Café Rio debuts LTO Utah Burrito as turnaround continues

July 30, 2026

Café Rio has introduced the limited-time Utah Burrito as part of its broader turnaround effort. The state-inspired menu item debuted July 24, Utah's Pioneer…

How to Make Sure Only the Right People Are in Your Team Chat

Wrong people in your team chat? Learn why it happens, what it costs, and how to keep every group chat organized so messages only reach the right people.

Build your leadership team: The team that reports directly to you

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

True organizational growth and scalability require distinguishing between mere managers and genuine leaders.

Gen Z, millennial franchisees want purpose, flexibility, tech — not just a second career

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Gong cha, Chicken Salad Chick, PrimoHoagies and Yougurtland execs reveal why franchising has become a popular career choice for millennials and Gen Z.

Team Communication Tools for Restaurants: What to Look for in 2026

There are a lot of team chat apps out there, but how do you know which one fits how your team works and will get used? Here's what to look for before choosing.

The 6 Best Team Chat Apps for Restaurant Teams

Restaurant teams all work a little differently, but they all need organized team communication. Here's what to look for, plus the 6 best team chat apps for…

The top 3 priorities for Founder success in 2026

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

To succeed in 2026's highly competitive market, businesses must focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional customer experiences across all channels…

Zaxby's taps Russell Holland to lead development strategy

July 6, 2026

Zaxby's has named Russell Holland chief development officer, formalizing his leadership role. The move comes as the fast-casual chicken chain continues…

Why Your Restaurant Staff Can Never Truly Clock Out From the Work Chat

When work and personal messages land in the same messaging app, your restaurant staff can never truly clock out. Here's what that costs you.

How Velvet Taco CEO Chris Schultz scales a cult brand without losing its soul

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

During his keynote at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Texas, Chris Schultz will discuss restaurant growth, brand culture, leadership, international…

The Power of the Rearview Mirror and the Windshield: An activity of reflection and projection

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Using the metaphor of a vehicle's small rearview mirror and large windshield, columnist Kathleen Wood shares a structured framework designed to briefly…

The Cost of Running Your Restaurant's Internal Communication on Personal Messaging Apps

Using personal messaging apps for work communication creates hidden costs for restaurant teams, from privacy risks and blurred workdays to missed tasks and…

The Power of One: Your role as a Founder

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

To successfully escape the "Stuck Zone" and scale a business, a Founder must transition from a hustle-driven operator to an intentional CEO by making three…

Understaffing top stressor for restaurant workers, study finds

June 18, 2026

Understaffing ranks as the top stressor for restaurant workers, according to a recurring industry report released by 7shifts, an HR platform for restaurant…

What Is the Best Team Communication App for Multi-Location Restaurant Groups?

Everything multi-location restaurant groups need to know about choosing the right work chat app.

Built to Breakthrough: Unlocking your power

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

To successfully scale their businesses, founders must make non-delegable decisions and commit to a written, structured action plan that simultaneously aligns…

Cava hiring over 2,500 employees

June 10, 2026

Washington, D.C.-based Cava is expanding its workforce and career development initiatives through its Flavor Your Future platform.

Dog Haus adds franchise veterans to executive team

June 8, 2026

Dog Haus has appointed franchise industry veterans Chris Rigassio and Garen Khodaverdian to its executive team as the fast-casual brand pursues its…