The countdown is on: 10 ways RFIS will change your life

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Think of this as your official invite to the industry family reunion. Matching shirts not required!

Riko's Pizza's unique style sets it apart as brand grows on East Coast

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Riko's Pizza's unique thin-crust pizza sets it apart from the heavy competition on the East Coast. The brand is growing and now has 12 locations.

Dutch Bros to acquire Clutch Coffee Bar

January 13, 2026

Dutch Bros Coffee has reached an agreement to acquire Clutch Coffee Bar, according to an open letter from Darren Spicer, the founder and CEO of Clutch Coffee…

How Dave’s Hot Chicken went from a parking lot to a $1 billion sale

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Dave's Hot Chicken began in a parking lot. It recently sold for $1 billion. The leaders behind the brand will speak at the Founderology Growth Summit on Feb. …

Coffee margins under pressure: Menu prices up 3.4%

January 13, 2026

Restaurant operators continued to adjust caffeine margins in late 2025, with coffee prices outrunning other menu categories in year-over-year growth, according…

Heinz introduces fry box with built-in ketchup dipping compartment

January 13, 2026

Heinz is taking its condiments on the road with the launch of the "Heinz Dipper," a French fry box featuring a built-in compartment specifically designed for…

Aloha, Innovation: Why L&L’s Eddie Flores Jr is a must-see at RFIS 2026

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Anyone who knows Eddie knows he brings a witty, frank and refreshingly honest perspective to the table. He's going to talk about the "unconventional…

Fast Casual Nation reveals top 2026 restaurant trends

Join Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler as they sit down with industry expert Suzy Badaracco from Culinary Tides to forecast the biggest restaurant trends for…

Hot Head Burritos marks 2025 with record growth

January 7, 2026

Hot Head Burritos enters 2026 with sustained momentum following a year of steady expansion, product breakthroughs and digital investments designed to help…

FastCasual opens nominations for 2026 Top 100 Movers & Shakers

January 7, 2026

Nominations close Feb. 8.

Blaze Pizza names John Owen CEO, launches GLP-1 pizza

January 6, 2026

Blaze Pizza has named industry veteran John Owen as its chief executive officer, signaling a push for global expansion and technological innovation.

The 24% boost: How Shipley Do-Nuts is winning the AI race

Join Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler on Fast Casual Nation as they dive deep into AI's transformation of the restaurant industry with Kerry Leo, VP of…

1 question every Founder should ask (Most never do)

In our latest Founderology podcast episode, Ellis Winstanley and I discuss his Founder’s journey, from being an 18-year-old who refused to accept he couldn't…

Alonso Castaneda creates Taco Culture

January 6, 2026

After a quarter century of building some of the fastest-growing restaurant brands in the country, industry veteran Alonso Castaneda is stepping into the…

How to amplify your leadership impact by leading with influence

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Leading with influence focuses on building trust, empathy and a shared vision to inspire teams toward higher engagement and growth, moving beyond traditional…

Speaker Spotlight: Chris Demery, CTO of Blaze Pizza

Chris Demery, CTO of Blaze Pizza, shares a look at his career, his achievements and industry trends ahead of his appearance at the Restaurant Franchising …

Refresh your XM strategy with this clear, practical checklist

A simple visual guide to help strengthen your customer and employee experiences.

Presented by Service Management Group

Unlock New Customers: Leverage Delivery Aggregators for Restaurant Growth

A food delivery aggregator solution can provide significant return on investment because it’s an online platform that simplifies delivery operations for…

Driving traffic in 2026: 4 coffee chain strategies fast casuals should embrace

by Shira Petrack — Content Manager, Placer.ai

Fast casual brands can drive traffic in 2026 without freebies by learning from Scooter's, Starbucks, 7 Brews and Dunkin.

Frontline first: Connecting employee and customer experience for stronger results

Learn how a connected employee and customer experience can boost engagement, loyalty, and performance.

Presented by Service Management Group