Disposable cameras and raw reactions: Why 'imperfect' social media content is winning in 2026

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Marketing leaders from Via 313, ATL Wing Spot, and Hook + Ladder explain how multi-unit restaurant brands can drive sustained foot traffic in 2026 by balancing AI-driven search optimization with raw, "old-school" authenticity.

Wendy’s Q1 sales decline 7.8% as Project Fresh turnaround gains momentum

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Wendy's reported its Q1 2026 results on May 8, focusing on its Project Fresh initiatives.

Papa Johns, Wing launch drone delivery pilot in North Carolina

Papa Johns and Wing have launched a pilot program to deliver food by drone, beginning with a selection of toasted sandwiches for customers in the Charlotte…

How R&R Brands scaled from a single brand to a multi-brand platform

I sat down with Scott Taylor, Founder and CEO of R&R Brands, a visionary and an industry icon whose fingerprints are on some of the most important brand-building work of the last two decades. He is also a great friend, past-colleague and dedicated educator too!

The Power of One Direction: one of the most important and underutilized factors of greatness

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

The "Power of One Direction" is a leadership discipline where Founders transition from keeping strategies in their heads to creating a written plan, providing the team with the clarity and alignment necessary to scale beyond the "stuck in the middle" phase.

Rethinking Peak Performance in the Digital Restaurant Era

Traditional performance metrics such as ticket time and drive-thru speed measure efficiency but fail to capture the full guest experience. Many organizations detect problems only after they begin affecting customer loyalty. Leading restaurant brands are adopting a new approach: Unified Experience Management® (UXM).