Gamification helps improve Smoothie King's loyalty program

June 12, 2026

Smoothie King is seeing early gains from adding game-like features to its Healthy Rewards loyalty program.

The return of the Unicorn Frappuccino: Can Starbucks avoid the headaches this time around?

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

When Starbucks created the drink nearly nine years ago, it generated significant consumer interest, leading to thousands of social media posts but also…

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.

Inside the tech stack: How Mattenga’s Pizzeria mastered SEO, 8-second reordering

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

In this podcast episode, Mattenga’s Pizzeria co-owner Enga Stanfield explains how partnering with owner.com and leveraging technology helped her independent…

Presented by Owner.com

Shake Shack brings back viral Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake

June 9, 2026

Shake Shack, headquartered in New York City, is bringing back its Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake to all U.S. locations for a limited time. Inspired by the…

How to keep your restaurant’s next viral hit from becoming a traffic jam

by Michael Beck — CEO, Inc Tank GTM

A few days before the Restaurant Marketing Workshop, June 2-3 in Boston, my friend David "Rev" Ciancio and I made a series of decisions that, in hindsight…

'You’re not annoying; you’re marketing': Top takeaways from the Restaurant Marketing Workshop

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Check out these 10 highlights of the Restaurant Marketing Workshop.

Philly’s Best Cheesesteaks expands loyalty program as personalization trends grow

June 2, 2026

Fast-casual chain Philly's Best Cheesesteaks has revamped its Real Philly Rewards loyalty program, increasing redemption options and adding more flexibility…

Learn how Popmenu is reinventing restaurant marketing and menu technology

Popmenu can help bring your restaurant into the 21st century.

Presented by Popmenu

Wingstop takes flight with upgraded loyalty program

May 28, 2026

Wingstop Inc. is launching its new loyalty program, Club Wingstop, and has tapped reality TV personality Maura Higgins to support the June 1 debut.

Cousins Subs promotes Maja Gettrust to VP of marketing

May 27, 2026

Cousins Subs promoted industry veteran Maja Gettrust to vice president of Marketing. She will oversee brand strategy, creative development, media, loyalty…

Stop relying on hope: Marketing blueprints from Ziggi's Coffee, Lee's Chicken, Pita Pit, Budget Branders

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Panelists provide marketing insights ahead of FastCasual's upcoming "Restaurant Marketing Workshop" on June 2-3 in Boston.

Smashburger builds executive bench with CMO hire

May 21, 2026

Smashburger has hired Kate Savelli as chief marketing officer. The move comes as the company continues to build nationwide momentum.

Penn Station rebrands, updates menu as franchise expansion accelerates

May 20, 2026

Fast-casual sandwich chain Penn Station East Coast Subs has rebranded as Penn Station Sandwiches as part of a broader growth strategy focused on franchise…

2026 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers

Welcome to the 2026 edition of the Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers. Each year, this report serves as a pulse check for the industry, celebrating the…

Presented by Elo Touch Solutions, Inc.

Blaze Pizza offers zero delivery fee for National Pizza Party Day celebration

May 15, 2026

Atlanta-based Blaze Pizza is waiving delivery fees to celebrate National Pizza Party Day, offering customers a way to share its fast-fire'd pizzas without the…

Ovation, Tap leaders share tips on crafting a guest feedback strategy

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

A panel talk at the upcoming Restaurant Marketing Workshop will deliver insight on not only getting a guest feedback approach up and running but tips and…

The future of QSR brand experience: How to win on value, personalization, and customer trust

Explore 5 trends we’re seeing in the quick-service restaurant space and how experience management helps brands act on these trends.

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken overhauls digital experience with FNGRFOOD launch

May 11, 2026

Hattie B's Hot Chicken is turning up the heat on its digital strategy with the launch of a web and mobile experience powered by FNGRFOOD, a proprietary…

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.