Perfect Pitch winner TAP joins 9 brands in 2026 'Fast Casual Frontrunners'
by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com
There are plenty of restaurant brands trying to be the next big thing, but discovering those that could actually shape where fast casual goes next is a different challenge. That is the idea behind the 2026 Fast Casual Frontrunners, an initiative launched through Fast Casual Nation in partnership with Savor.fm.
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Inside Meritage Hospitality’s bankruptcy: Beef costs, closures and a battle with Wendy’s
Meritage Hospitality Group’s Chapter 11 filing reveals mounting pressures behind one of Wendy’s largest franchise operators, from declining sales and soaring beef costs to a dispute over its franchise agreements. The restructuring leaves the future of more than 300 Wendy’s restaurants in question as Wendy's fights back.
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Presto raises $10M to expand drive-thru Voice AI technology
Presto has raised $10 million from Remus Capital-affiliated investors and other existing investors to support the expansion of its Voice AI technology for…
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Why Dillas Quesadillas simplified its menu to prepare for growth
Dillas Quesadillas is simplifying its menu to improve speed, accuracy and the customer experience as it prepares for future growth. In this episode of the Restaurant Operator Podcast, co-founders Kyle and Maggie Gordon explain how listening to customers and focusing on the basics are helping to position the concept to scale.
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Life, leadership and restaurants: ‘Ted Lasso’ strikes again
* Please note, this post does contain spoilers for the Ted Lasso episode, "Mae Rides the Bus."
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Closing the gap between order ready and order in hand
Why the last mile costs operators more than they think. The gap between order ready and order in hand is part of the operation that affects labor efficiency, food quality, customer satisfaction and profitability.
