Dig Inn appoints Dylan Mendelsohn as culinary director

September 28, 2026

Fast-casual restaurant chain Dig Inn has appointed Dylan Mendelsohn as culinary director, alongside the launch of the brand's new fall menu, available now…

Restaurant employees see industry as long-term career path, study finds

September 25, 2026

New research from the National Restaurant Association finds that restaurant employees largely view the industry as a place to build long-term careers, develop…

GoTo Foods names Lucy Brady Jamba president, reshuffles additional portfolio roles

September 15, 2026

GoTo Foods has appointed Lucy Brady as president of Jamba and shifted leadership roles across its portfolio. The Atlanta-based company also named Nathan…

How Sankranti built its own fast-casual Indian food playbook

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Srinivasa “Nimms” Nimmagadda and his team spent years developing a fast-casual Indian food concept playbook through Sankranti Indian Kitchen. Now the company…

Pepper Lunch North America CEO Troy Hooper steps down, shifts to adviser role

September 11, 2026

Pepper Lunch North America CEO Troy Hooper is stepping down from day-to-day operations to become a strategic adviser to the board, effective Sept. 25.

Me, Ted Lasso and something in common

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

Twenty years ago, I started my career in restaurant journalism. Now, I’m back where it all began as the editor of QSRWeb and Pizza Marketplace.

HB Protein Smoothies hires Tyler Doolittle to lead real estate, openings

September 2, 2026

HB Protein Smoothies, a Fransmart-backed franchise, has hired Tyler Doolittle as director of real estate and openings. Doolittle will work with franchise…

Blaze Pizza names Tracy Stockard chief marketing officer

August 25, 2026

Blaze Pizza has appointed Tracy Stockard as chief marketing officer. A veteran marketing executive with more than two decades of experience leading national…

Houston TX Hot Chicken hires Ashley Prokos as senior director of franchise sales

August 21, 2026

66% of young restaurant workers say employers aren't training them right — Here's the fix

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

A new Schoox survey reveals a gap between what frontline restaurant employees want to learn and what operators are actually delivering — and why closing it…

Freddy’s promotes Rick Petralia to executive chef, VP of training and innovation

August 20, 2026

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, based in Wichita, Kansas, promoted Rick Petralia to executive chef and vice president of training and innovation.

Restaurant turnover isn't a hiring issue — It's a culture problem, say Fast Casual Executive Summit panelists

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Tiki Taco's Eric Knott and Training Simplified's Sam Worobec preview their session at the 2026 Fast Casual Executive Summit, Oct. 4–6 in Arlington, Texas.

The 7 Best WhatsApp Alternatives for Restaurant Teams

A ranked look at seven WhatsApp alternatives for restaurant teams, compared on work-life boundaries, organized group chats, admin control, mobile ease, and…

Tropical Smoothie names Joe Sieve chief development, growth officer

August 7, 2026

Tropical Smoothie Café has hired Joe Sieve as chief development and growth officer, replacing Cheryl Fletcher, who will retire at the end of August.

HTeaO names former Freddy's executive Brian Wise as CEO

August 5, 2026

Iced tea franchise HTeaO has named Brian Wise as its chief executive officer as the company prepares for further national expansion.

Portillo's names Kevin Kalicak CFO

August 4, 2026

Portillo's has appointed restaurant finance veteran Kevin Kalicak as its chief financial officer and treasurer, effective Sept. 7.

Second Cup names former Wingstop executive Joe Walker CEO

August 4, 2026

Joe Walker, Courtesy of Second Cup Coffee Company, Inc Toronto-based Second Cup Coffee Co. has named former Wingstop executive Joe Walker as its CEO.

3 ways restaurants can reduce employee burnout during peak demand

by Paula Allen — Global Leader of Research and Insights, TELUS Health

The FIFA World Cup drove record traffic for many restaurants, but it also exposed the hidden costs of burnout. Here's what operators can learn before the next…

How 1 Penn Station franchise is turning teen hires into tomorrow's leaders

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Restaurants seeing a shortage in young workers may want to take a page out of Genral Manager Taylar Richardson's book.

Newk's Eatery names 20-year company veteran Matt Wilson as COO

July 27, 2026

Newk's Eatery has promoted Matt Wilson, a 20-year veteran of the fast-casual chain, to chief operating officer, the company announced Monday.