Buffalo’s Express opens 1st standalone restaurant, expands beyond Fatburger co-brand model

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

FAT Brands' Jake Berchtold explains how the former co-located Buffalo's Express opened its first stand-alone restaurant in Washington State.

How to Make Sure Only the Right People Are in Your Team Chat

Wrong people in your team chat? Learn why it happens, what it costs, and how to keep every group chat organized so messages only reach the right people.

Ziggi's Coffee names Stacey Pool chief growth officer

July 23, 2026

Ziggi's Coffee has named Stacey Pool as its new chief growth officer, a newly created leadership role based at the company's headquarters in Mead, Colorado.

Opus launches tool to turn franchise data into action

July 20, 2026

Opus Training, a training operations platform used by multi-unit brands, has launched Opus Recommendation Engine, a product designed to convert operational…

Build your leadership team: The team that reports directly to you

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

True organizational growth and scalability require distinguishing between mere managers and genuine leaders.

Former Taco Bell Latin America CMO Karla Patino named Pollo Campero VP of marketing

July 16, 2026

Patino joins the company after nearly two decades in brand marketing at major quick-service chains, including Taco Bell, KFC, Burger King Chipotle and Subway.

Gen Z, millennial franchisees want purpose, flexibility, tech — not just a second career

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Gong cha, Chicken Salad Chick, PrimoHoagies and Yougurtland execs reveal why franchising has become a popular career choice for millennials and Gen Z.

Interface report: Restaurant security risks center on people, not property

July 16, 2026

Restaurant security concerns increasingly focus on protecting employees and customers from disruptive behavior rather than preventing theft, according to…

Team Communication Tools for Restaurants: What to Look for in 2026

There are a lot of team chat apps out there, but how do you know which one fits how your team works and will get used? Here's what to look for before choosing.

The 6 Best Team Chat Apps for Restaurant Teams

Restaurant teams all work a little differently, but they all need organized team communication. Here's what to look for, plus the 6 best team chat apps for…

Zaxby's taps Russell Holland to lead development strategy

July 6, 2026

Zaxby's has named Russell Holland chief development officer, formalizing his leadership role. The move comes as the fast-casual chicken chain continues…

Buffalo Wild Wings names Scott Nelson chief marketing officer

July 1, 2026

Buffalo Wild Wings has named Scott Nelson as its new chief marketing officer, tapping a veteran marketer with experience in restaurant growth, brand strategy…

Why Your Restaurant Staff Can Never Truly Clock Out From the Work Chat

When work and personal messages land in the same messaging app, your restaurant staff can never truly clock out. Here's what that costs you.

Improving restaurant food cost margins: Benchmarks, tips and expert insights

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Running restaurants is costly, but effective food cost reduction strategies can help operators protect their margins and cut their expenses.

The Cost of Running Your Restaurant's Internal Communication on Personal Messaging Apps

Using personal messaging apps for work communication creates hidden costs for restaurant teams, from privacy risks and blurred workdays to missed tasks and…

Restaurant summer hiring soft again, projected to add 450K jobs

June 24, 2026

The number of 16- to 19-year-olds in the workforce totaled about 6 million in April, down 200,000 from the same period in 2024 and 2025. The labor force…

How Starbucks’ new leadership role could help more women advance in the restaurant industry

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

The coffee chain will hire over 300 coffeehouse coaches over the next month, with thousands more by the end of the calendar year. It could be a huge step to…

Understaffing top stressor for restaurant workers, study finds

June 18, 2026

Understaffing ranks as the top stressor for restaurant workers, according to a recurring industry report released by 7shifts, an HR platform for restaurant…

Why restaurants are treating rebates like a profitability tool

by Sean Donahue — President, Digital Procurement Network, Buyers Edge Platform

Operators are paying closer attention to procurement oversight and existing spend optimization as traditional margin levers become harder to control.

What Is the Best Team Communication App for Multi-Location Restaurant Groups?

Everything multi-location restaurant groups need to know about choosing the right work chat app.