C-Speak: PDQ president using tech to get rid of the back office

PDQ President Steve Erickson and David Cantu, co-founder of HotSchedules, discuss how the brand uses technology to control operations and deliver better…

Welbilt: Bringing innovation to the table

Restaurant operators obviously have a variety of challenges when it comes to running a successful business.

Saladworks CEO reveals brand's 5-step come-back strategy

Saladworks was facing bankruptcy in 2015, when Centre Lane Partners bought it for nearly $17 million. Since then, CEO Patrick Sugrue has been working to…

BuzzFeed exec schools restaurateurs on mastering customer engagement

Jennifer Klawin, SVP, brand strategy, West Coast for BuzzFeed, shared social media tips with restaurateurs.

Dickey's CIO: Technology isn't just a tactic

Laura Rae Dickey sat down at the annual 2016 Fast Casual Executive Summit in Data Point, California, to give an inside look at Dickey's technology strategy…

Penn Station CEO: We need 3 things to grow

Craig Dunaway of Penn Station East Coast Subs talks about franchise growth challenges, customer engagement and labor processes at the 2016 Fast Casual…

Cousins Subs VP lays out growth plans

Jason Valentine,  VP of Operations of Cousins Subs, chats about cultivating franchise relationships, employee engagement, the brand's new look and food safety…

Why Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit is taking on London

Restaurant franchises hoping to grow in the UK must embrace innovation and technology.

Habit Burger CMO chats about taking the California brand national

Matt Hood, CMO of Habit Burger Grill, chats with Tim Tang about what it takes to expand a regional concept nationwide.

Focus Brands president: 'Restaurant business is complicated'

The president of Focus Brands sums up his views on the state of the restaurant industry.

How Pita Pit combines social, digital platforms to reach customers

Jordy Patano, shown right, digital marketing manager of Pita Pit, dishes on the chain's digital strategy in an interview with Hughes' Tim Tang.

Fast Casual Exec Summit attendees learn that success isn't just about food, it's about the people

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

The Fast Casual Executive Summit 2016 brought together hundreds of c-level executives to learn from one another in Dana Point, California.

Freebirds talks mobile innovation at CONNECT Mobile Innovation Summit

Freebirds' VP of Marketing Erin Levzow talks with Hughes' Tim Tang about the importance of mobile for both the business and the customer.

C-Speak: How Fazoli's CEO keeps dishing out growth

Carl Howard discusses how he turned a failing QSR brand into a thriving fast casual franchise and why he believes his work isn't quite yet done.

Reaching a dual audience: Naf Naf COO discusses brand success

Frank Weiner, COO of Naf Naf grill discusses, the brand's ability to overcome challenges

19 quarters and counting: How Captain D's keeps increasing sales

Listening, according to the brand's head chef, Jason Henderson, has been key to the chain's re-emergence as a growing force in the restaurant industry.

Starting an evolution: Freebirds CEO discusses mobile app, redesign

Freebirds CEO Bobby Shaw discusses why it was time for the 29-year-old brand to evolve.

Technology helping Rise to raise profile

Rise Biscuits Donuts director of technology discusses how the chain's use of technology is helping the brand expand.

The Pincho Factory discovers customer love with thousands of matches on Tinder

Otto Othman, co-founder of The Pincho Factory, a Miami-based burger joint, explains how the chain used Tinder, a dating app, to develop customer love.

Video: How BWW plans to turn around sales

Buffalo Wild Wings COO Jim Schmidt expects a quick rebound for the chain that is centered around wings and sports.