Ovation secures $3M in funding led by customers

February 10, 2026

Ovation, a guest experience and operations platform for multi-unit restaurants, has raised $3 million in a funding round backed entirely by its own customers.

Successful and struggling: The Founder paradox no one talks about

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

We explore the "founder's paradox" of being both successful and isolated, ultimately arguing that connecting with a community of peers is the essential…

Pei Wei expands Oklahoma footprint, upgrades digital experience

February 6, 2026

Pei Wei Asian Kitchen expanded its Oklahoma City-area footprint Tuesday with an opening in Yukon, debuting a redesigned interior and an updated digital…

Mason's opening 20 locations in Middle East

February 6, 2026

Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls, the largest brick-and-mortar lobster roll chain in the United States, is expanding into the Middle East, marking the first major…

Applications now open for LDEI 2026 Awards

February 5, 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 Les Dames d'Escoffier International (LDEI) Legacy Awards, supported by The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the…

Grubhub eliminating fees on orders over $50

February 5, 2026

Grubhub is moving to eliminate the industry's most persistent pain point by waiving delivery and service fees on larger orders, a shift the company will debut…

Bridging the restaurant coaching gap: LEAD announces leadership events in KC, Dallas

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

As the publisher of FastCasual.com and a proud Kansas Citian, I've always said that some of the best leadership in the restaurant industry is bred right here…

The power players: Inside the playbooks of Fast Casual’s 2026 rising stars

Discover the rising stars of fast casual dining as hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler interview three breakout brands from FastCasual.com's 2026 list of 2…

Presented by Jeff's Bagel Run

Loop AI secures $14M Series A to scale restaurant back-office technology

February 3, 2026

Loop AI, an enterprise AI platform for restaurant and retail back offices, has raised $14 million in Series A funding, according to a press release.

Wahlburgers expanding via The Home Depot, Bass Pro Shops locations

February 3, 2026

Wahlburgers, the burger chain founded by brothers Mark, Donnie and Paul Wahlberg, announced a major national expansion strategy, including partnerships with…

Slice House by Tony Gemignani opens in Boulder

February 2, 2026

Slice House by Tony Gemignani has opened in Boulder, Colorado, according to a press release.

Empowering restaurants to thrive: How smart technology is transforming the guest experience and the bottom line

by Fast Casual

Amid modern restaurant challenges lies a powerful opportunity – by embracing innovative technology, restaurants can not only survive but truly thrive.

Presented by Oracle

Gong cha deploys Super Wu beverage automation system, kiosks to streamline operations

February 1, 2026

Gong cha, the global bubble tea powerhouse with nearly 2,200 locations, announced the launch of its "Gong cha 2.0" initiative, a comprehensive brand overhaul…

Thriving through uncertainty: the power of resilience in leadership and business

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Resilience is the essential "superpower" for navigating modern uncertainty, serving as a developable skill that enables individuals and organizations to…

Speaker Spotlight: Jeff Perera, co-founder, vice president, Jeff's Bagel Run

Jeff Perera, co-founder and vice president of Jeff's Bagel Run, shares a look at his career, his achievements and industry trends ahead of his appearance at…

How top franchise brands turn culture into direct profitability

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Industry leaders will gather at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit to share actionable strategies for transforming workplace culture and…

Chicken Salad Chick awarded 100 franchise deals, opened 42 units in 2025

January 29, 2026

Chicken Salad Chick reported a record-breaking 2025, awarding nearly 100 franchise deals and opening 42 restaurants as it prepares to push further into the…

Starbucks turnaround: Niccol’s "Back to Starbucks" plan ignites Q1 growth

January 29, 2026

Starbucks has officially shifted from defense to offense. During Wednesday's Q1 2026 earnings call, the company reported a 5% increase in global revenue to…

25 Fast Casual Brands to Watch in 2026

FastCasual’s sixth annual report, “25 Brands to Watch,” identifies the trailblazers poised to become the next household names. These concepts are not just…

Presented by Elo Touch Solutions, Inc.

Dog Haus enters 15th year with record development pipeline

January 27, 2026

Dog Haus is marking its 15th anniversary with its largest expansion slate to date, following a record-breaking 2025 that saw triple-digit growth in…