How to deliver fast casual quality at 'QSR speeds'
by Bradley Cooper — Editor, Connect Media
Customers expect QSR speeds with fast casual quality. A panel at the Fast Casual Executive Summit will share how restaurants can keep up.
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Nominations open for Top Women in Retail Technology awards
by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media
Connect Media is honoring the brightest and best women in retail technology leadership roles who are driving innovation. Get those nominations in! Deadline is September 11.
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Report: QSRs lead 2026 restaurant closures
An estimated 8,171 restaurant locations closed across the United States and Canada during the first half of 2026, according to the latest RestaurantData…
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Why Taco Cabana is expanding its franchise beyond the Lone Star State
by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media
In this episode of the Restaurant Operator Podcast, host Mandy Detwiler chats with Taco Cabana's director of franchise sales and development, John Ramsay, about the brand's growth and operations as it competes in the crowded fast casual market.
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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.
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The 1:1 Personalization Playbook: Using AI to send every guest their own offer
In this session, Hang CEO Matt Smolin, whose platform powers millions of AI-personalized offers a month for restaurant brands, and Rev Ciancio, CMO of Salad House & Handcraft Burgers and Brew, walked through the playbook to start personalizing your own offers right away.
AI and the Future of Restaurants: From Foot Traffic to Predictive Insight
As consumer behavior and privacy expectations evolve, restaurants need smarter ways to understand diners and drive growth. Gladys Kong of Azira and Isabelle Soriano of Goodway Group explore how AI and location intelligence can inform site selection, media strategy, audience engagement, and faster, more informed decisions.
