Off-premise blitz: Turning pandemic survival tactics into long-term growth engines

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Industry leaders at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit highlighted how the shift from convenience to a permanent off-premise model requires a blend of sophisticated technology, specialized catering strategies and operational precision to maintain brand consistency and a frictionless guest experience.

Ovation, Tap leaders share tips on crafting a guest feedback strategy

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

A panel talk at the upcoming Restaurant Marketing Workshop will deliver insight on not only getting a guest feedback approach up and running but tips and advice on making it a success.

Papa Murphy's Meaty Italian Pizza joins Papa's Picks lineup

Washington-based Papa Murphy's Take 'n' Bake Pizza has launched the Meaty Italian Pizza, which joins the brand's Papa's Picks line-up, according to a press…

Mellow Mushroom VP shares secrets to long-term franchise success

In this episode of the Pizza Marketplace podcast, Mellow Mushroom VP of Franchise Development Jamie Cecil discusses the brand's 50-year history of "unicorn" store designs and explains why modern franchise success relies on operational simplicity, rigorous real estate selection and transparent relationships between executives and investors.

Innovation in every sip: How Tractor Beverage Co. is changing the beverage landscape

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

John Murphy, chief revenue officer of Tractor Beverage Co., discusses the company's award-winning revival of the 17th-century "switchel" and how its organic, flexible beverage formats are meeting the 2026 demand for transparency and functional variety in the restaurant industry.

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).