Salata adds 3 female execs to leadership team

November 22, 2021

Salata Salad Kitchen has added three executives to its corporate team. Michele Maerz joins the team as VP of Operations, Julie Davis is now VP of Franchise…

Slim Chickens names former Sonic exec as Operations SVP

November 22, 2021

Arkansas-based Slim Chickens has named Christina Vaughan as SVP of Operations. After serving as president of Sonic Restaurant Inc. for three years, she was…

Ryan Harrison named COO of Zunzibar

November 15, 2021

Zunzi's, a Savannah-based fast casual concept known for its South African-inspired sandwiches, bowls and salads, has promoted Ryan Harrison to COO of its…

Fast casual leaders share hiring, recruitment tips amidst labor shortage

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

A panel of fast casual leaders discussed labor issues in today's restaurant industry at the recent Fast Casual Executive Summit held in Charlotte, North…

Tropical Smoothie Cafe names CMO

November 10, 2021

Tropical Smoothie Cafe has tapped Deborah von Kutzleben, former vice president of brand strategy, advertising and menu at Arby's, as CMO.

FAT Brands hires chief real estate officer, growing in Chicago

November 9, 2021

FAT Brands Inc. has hired its first chief real estate officer, Justin Nedelman, who was previously the CEO of Eureka Restaurant Group LLC, where he led the…

Qdoba promotes VP to CMO

November 9, 2021

Qdoba has promoted Karin Silk to chief marketing officer. Since joining the company in 2018 as vice president of menu and off-premises, she has helped launch…

Mici Handcrafted Italian signs 1st franchise deal, hires chief growth officer

November 9, 2021

Mici Handcrafted Italian, a family-owned, fast casual concept based in Denver, Colorado, has signed its first franchise deal for 30 units in Phoenix, Arizona.

Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in the Supply Chain

Even a moderate supply chain disruption can have a serious impact on a company’s future. An autonomous screening process can help minimize the risk.

Reducing turnover in turbulent times

The Point-of-Service (POS) system reigns as one of the most useful tools to support employees and reduce turnover.

Hero Brands promotes German Doner Kebab exec to grow all brands

November 2, 2021

London-based Hero Brands has promoted Jon Cullen from Group Franchise Recruitment & Development director at German Doner Kebab to chief development and…

Why Hopdoddy is embracing boomerangers to solve labor shortages

Kelly McCutcheon, VP of People for Hopdoddy Burger Bar,

Online training academy helping restaurateurs climb career ladder

October 28, 2021

Nearly half of hospitality professionals want more training and professional development opportunities, according to data from the 2020 State of Restaurant…

Starbucks commits to minimum wage increases

October 27, 2021

Starbucks hourly workers in the U.S. will average nearly $17 per hour next summer when the chain implements an increase to its minimum wage. All baristas will…

El Pollo Loco president taking CEO title at Zaxby's

October 26, 2021

Zaxby's co-founder Zach McLeroy is stepping down from his CEO role and will transition to chairman effective January 2022. Bernard Acoca, who has served as CEO…

Fast casual leaders: Off-premise dining more important than ever

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Three restaurant executives discussed the rise of off-premise dining during the COVID-19 pandemic at the recent Fast Casual Executive Summit in Charlotte…

Hellman and Friedman acquire NPD Group

October 20, 2021

Hellman and Friedman, a global private equity firm, has entered into an exclusive agreement to acquire NPD, according to a press release.

McDonald's exec to talk about diversity, inclusion at 1-day QSR event

Ariane Panter, senior director of global diversity, equity and inclusion strategy and corporate function support at McDonald’s, will discuss diversity…

Farmer Boys names CMO

October 13, 2021

Farmer Boys, a Southern California-based fast casual chain, has appointed restaurant industry veteran Joe Adney to serve as VP and CMO, according to a company…

Overcoming the Impact of First Impression Bias in the Interview Process

Learn how to eliminate first impression bias to create a more equitable hiring process.