The future of experience management: 10 trends shaping 2026

Explore the top 10 experience management trends shaping 2026. From practical AI to personalization, each has the potential to help brands build stronger…

From gifting guru to fast casual powerhouse: Edible Brands CEO reveals brand's evolution

Somia Farid Silber, CEO of Edible Brands, discusses how the brand is expanding beyond its traditional gifting niche to deliver new experiences for consumers.

50 Funny Work Chat Names for Restaurant Teams

Boost morale with a unique work group chat name! Discover 50+ funny and creative work chat names for your restaurant's kitchen, servers, bar staff, and…

Exploring link between employee engagement, exceptional customer experiences

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Here's a leadership truth that transcends industries: you can't expect world-class customer experiences from a disengaged team. The energy your people bring to…

Dirty Dough owner succeeds on transparency, great cookies

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Restaurant Operator Podcast host Mandy Detwiler talks to Bennet Maxwell, owner of Dirty Dough, about the cookie brand's launch and what keeps it successful.

Will NYC's added-sugar ruling force national menu reform?

by Michael Schwab — Partner and Head of the Food & Beverage Group, Moritt Hock & Hamroff LLP

Given that many municipalities often follow New York City’s lead, restaurant operators should anticipate the possibility of similar regulations being adopted…

Smashburger launches 'flavor-driven rebrand'

November 25, 2025

Smashburger has unveiled a comprehensive brand campaign and refreshed visual identity, emphasizing a renewed commitment to great taste, variety and value, said…

How Fazoli’s continues to build traffic amid market uncertainty

Tisha Bartlett, VP of Marketing at Fazoli’s, shares the winning value formula for unrivaled hospitality, quality food offerings, family friendly price point…

How fast casuals can thrive despite 50-year low consumer sentiment

Make your guests count to increase your guest counts

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

The economy is shifting, guests spending is changing, and the marketplace continues to be dynamic. One metric that matters the most in this environment is…

You're Not a Bad Restaurant Manager. You're Just Stuck in the Nagging Cycle.

Great leaders don't chase down tasks; they build systems. Instead of chasing after people in the work chat, it's time to use a work chat app that has built-in…

Founder shares how he went from tacos to tech

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, Connect Media

Come hear El Arroyo founder Ellis Winstanley how he moved to tech at the Founderology Growth Summit.

Nominations open for 25 Fast Casual Brands to Watch

November 19, 2025

Nominations are open for the 25 Fast Casual Brands to Watch special report, which highlights the most promising new concepts in the restaurant industry.

The Best Work Chat App for Restaurant Owners Who Care About Work-Life Balance

Personal chat apps fuel restaurant staff burnout by blurring work-life boundaries. The solution? A dedicated work chat app where you can silence after-hours…

The essential insights every Founder needs to scale with clarity, strength and intentionality

Zane Tarence shares perspectives with the speed of someone who has spent decades in the trenches and still wakes up hungry for the next challenge. He moves…

Panera CEO unveils 'RISE' strategy to change company trajectory

November 18, 2025

Panera Bread CEO Paul Carbone has revealed an ambitious transformation plan, "Panera RISE," in hopes of guiding the company's next phase of growth and…

From café to national movement: Clean Eatz Founders on scaling wellness without losing heart

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Clean Eatz is a franchise co-founded by Don and Evonne Varady that solves the time vs. health dilemma by offering convenient, macro-balanced meals, from…

5 ways fast casuals can reduce COGS without sacrificing quality

by chad, Chad Coulter — CEO, Biscuit Belly

Biscuit Belly co-founder and CEO Chad Coulter shares cost-management insights and strategies to help operators protect profitability while maintaining brand…

How to unlock your inner rock star and inspire your team to greatness

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

True leadership, or "rock star leadership," moves beyond simple task management to inspire teams by leading with energy, passion, authenticity and a commanding…

Chicken Salad Chick, Main Squeeze Juice Co, Original ChopShop, Dog Haus leaders talk marketing on a limited dime

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

A panel of fast casual executives shared that maximizing social media ROI with limited budgets is best achieved through deep community involvement, leveraging…