HTeaO reports Q1 growth with new stores in 4 states, leadership hires

April 15, 2026

Iced tea franchise HTeaO opened 2026 with a strong first quarter. The brand opened seven locations across Texas, Florida, Oklahoma and Tennessee, according to…

Toast launches integrated drive-thru platform for quick-service restaurant chains

April 14, 2026

Toast has launched Toast Drive-Thru, a digital platform designed for quick-service restaurants to manage order accuracy and labor efficiency through a single…

Flavor sheriffs wanted: Carl’s Jr. to trade free sandwiches for photos of bland food

April 14, 2026

Carl's Jr. is launching a new campaign to target what it calls criminally bland chicken sandwiches by offering a reward for those who help round up the usual…

Built to Breakthrough Playbook: How to go from stuck to scale

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

To help founders overcome the "Stuck Zone" where business complexity stalls momentum, this playbook introduces the Power of One System and its Six Factors of…

Taco Bell to launch Diablo Dusted Crispy Chicken Nuggets nationwide April 16

April 13, 2026

Taco Bell is expanding its crispy chicken lineup with the launch of Diablo Dusted Crispy Chicken Nuggets, a menu item that transforms the brand's spiciest…

Blaze Pizza, Farmer Boys, Mike's Red Tacos, HigherMe experts discuss recruitment, retention

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Industry experts at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit emphasized that sustainable restaurant profitability and successful scaling depend on…

Wetzel's Pretzels opens in California Walmart

April 10, 2026

Wetzel's Pretzels has opened a new bakery inside the Porter Ranch Walmart at 19821 Rinaldi St. in Porter Ranch California, marking the brand's latest expansion…

Dunkin' to leave India after 14 years

April 10, 2026

Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd. will end its franchise agreement with U.S.-based Dunkin' when the current contract expires on Dec. 31, 2026, according to a Reuters…

Meet the Top 30 Movers & Shakers: Restaurant Marketing

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

We’re proud to honor the 2026 Restaurant Marketing Top 30 Movers & Shakers, who will be recognized at the Restaurant Marketing Workshop on June 2–3 in Boston.

Marco's Pizza inks 12-store franchise deal for Southern California

April 9, 2026

Marco's Pizza has signed a 12-unit franchise agreement with experienced franchisee Baljit Gill to expand the brand across Southern California, according to a…

Hungry Howie's offers National Pet Day secret menu

April 9, 2026

Hungry Howie's is partnering with Happy Howie's to launch a limited-time secret menu for National Pet Day, offering pairings for both pizza fans and their dogs…

Deliverect AI debuts autonomous workforce to manage menus, protect digital revenue

April 9, 2026

Deliverect, a global restaurant technology platform serving more than 95,000 locations across 78 countries, has launched Deliverect AI: a digital workforce of…

Saucy by KFC adds Drips by Pepsi beverages to menu

April 8, 2026

Saucy by KFC, KFC's fast casual brand, has upped its beverage offerings with the addition of Drips by Pepsi to the menu. The 16-ounce drinks combine PepsiCo…

Domino’s debuts Slice Sauce with exclusive Shinola merchandise access

April 8, 2026

Domino's Pizza has partnered with fellow Michigan-based brand Shinola to offer customers exclusive access to a collection of black and gold watches and leather…

PAR Technology launches PAR Intelligence AI Platform for multi-unit operators

April 8, 2026

PAR Technology Corp. has launched PAR Intelligence, an artificial intelligence layer designed to automate operational tasks for multi-unit restaurant and…

Little Caesars VP of franchise development talks brand growth, solid operations

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Podcast host Mandy Detwiler talks to Bryan Ketelhut, VP of franchise and business development for Little Caesars.

KFC drops its 1st single ‘Finger Lickin' Machine'

April 7, 2026

KFC is moving away from traditional advertising jingles with the release of its first musical single titled "Finger Lickin' Machine." The track is available on…

Del Taco leans into 90s nostalgia with return of Big Fat Tacos, Del Flipz

April 7, 2026

Del Taco has launched a variety of limited-time, 90s-inspired classics, according to a press release.

Bango: From a 300-square-foot acai shop to leading a 'Better for You' movement

On this episode of the Founderology — Built to Breakthrough podcast, I talk with Ryan Thorman, Founder and CEO of Bango and a contributor to the Founderology…

Yum Brands appoints former Marriott International CFO to Board

April 6, 2026

Yum Brands Inc. has appointed of Kathleen "Leeny" K. Oberg to its Board of Directors. Oberg, the former chief financial officer and executive vice president of…