Menufy: 80% of consumers would try AI-recommended independent restaurants

September 24, 2026

Artificial intelligence is reshaping restaurant discovery and creating new opportunities for independent operators, according to new consumer research from…

Pretzelmaker expands in New York with Poughkeepsie opening

September 24, 2026

FAT Brands-owned Pretzelmaker has opened a new location at the Poughkeepsie Galleria in Poughkeepsie, New York, marking another step in the brand's East Coast…

Krispy Kreme launches glazed coffee doughnut for National Coffee Day

September 24, 2026

Krispy Kreme is celebrating National Coffee Day with the launch of a limited-time Original Glazed Coffee Flavored Doughnut, the company announced in a news…

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…

Canopy survey finds kiosk reliability remains a challenge for QSRs

September 24, 2026

Technology increasingly influences where consumers choose to eat, but self-order kiosks remain a source of frustration for many quick-service restaurant…

Ted Lasso, an empty office and workplace culture

by Valerie Gritton

I once started a new job where, on my very first day, I was shown the empty office of a woman who had died of breast cancer.

Major Wendy’s franchisee Meritage Hospitality files for Chapter 11

September 23, 2026

Meritage Hospitality Group, one of the nation's largest Wendy's franchise operators, has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it seeks to…

McDonald's commits $8.5B to restaurant modernization

September 23, 2026

McDonald's has unveiled its McDonald's > NEXT strategy, first announced in June, outlining new growth and productivity targets aimed at increasing customer…

Why Dillas Quesadillas simplified its menu to prepare for growth

by Valerie Gritton

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…

Voice AI has rewritten the drive-thru, the future of QSR

Voice AI is transforming the QSR drive-thru. With deployments at brands such as Taco Bell, the technology is helping franchisees streamline operations, reduce…

Wienerschnitzel enters West Virginia through GoMart partnership

September 22, 2026

Wienerschnitzel is expanding its nontraditional footprint through a new franchise agreement with travel plaza and convenience store operator GoMart, the…

Carl’s Jr. challenges Burger King with free Angus Maximus promotion

September 22, 2026

Carl's Jr. is taking aim at Burger King with its limited-time "Stealing the Crown" promotion, the company has announced in a news release. The promotion…

Canopee Tech names Bruno Lo-Re chairman, president

September 22, 2026

Miami-based Canopee Tech has appointed Bruno Lo-Re as chairman and president as the restaurant technology company enters its next phase of growth.

What is driving Kona Ice’s success?

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Tony Lamb is the Founder and visionary behind Kona Ice, the tropical shaved-ice brand that turned an ice cream truck nightmare into experiences that customers…

Dunkin’, L.L.Bean team up for fall merchandise, free coffee

September 21, 2026

Dunkin' and L.L.Bean are joining forces for their first-ever collaboration, bringing together two New England brands for a week of limited-edition…

KFC Canada turns Kwench launch into ‘thirst trap’ campaign

September 21, 2026

KFC Canada is taking an unconventional approach to promoting Kwench, its new global beverage menu, with a campaign built around social media "thirst trap…

Webinar: Order accuracy as the next loyalty battleground

by Valerie Gritton

In this “Accuracy is the New Loyalty” webinar, Star Micronics’ Craig Kaliebe discusses how labeling, smart scales and other verification tools help operators…

Del Taco turns up the heat with Flamin’ Hot Queso lineup

September 18, 2026

Del Taco is teaming up with Cheetos Flamin' Hot for a limited-time menu, the company has announced in a news release. The items feature a new Flamin…

Rally’s opens first ghost kitchen in San Francisco

September 18, 2026

Checkers & Rally's has opened its first ghost kitchen in San Francisco at Mid-Market Eats, expanding the burger brand's use of nontraditional restaurant…

Latest Ted Lasso serves up Wingstop, Taco Bell and a lesson in brand fandom

by Valerie Gritton