Mayhem alert: KFC's main marketing mind headlines Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Take a trip to marketing's wild side in April, when KFC Advertising Director George Felix headlines the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit in the Derby…

Salata, Donatos, Cinnabon, Chicken Salad Chick leaders talk growth success

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Growth is key to QSR brand success and achieving growth goals demands the kinds of resources that also require savvy planning. But, what kinds of questions…

Corner Bakery, Newk's, Saladworks leaders' quick quotes for QSRs on dynamite data use

QSR operators can take home some great ideas on effective data use from three fast casual brands who shared thoughts on the subject at the Fast Casual…

Young, cash-savvy, dine-out divas: QSR keys to unlock Gen Z

More than 75 percent of this 18-to-35 age group spend most of their money on food, a new survey finds. Here are four keys to capturing their hearts and…

Millennials: 'Give us big discounts, cut the small talk'

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

One of the more eye-opening sessions at this Fast Casual Executive Summit in Nashville this month was a quick, question-filled hour-long chat with a varied…

Summit keynote speaker: 5 seconds to leading amidst rapid change

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Best-selling author and CNN commentator Mel Robbins tells fast casual leaders why they are likely just 5 seconds away from the best approach to their toughest…

White Castle test: Sometimes small things make a big difference

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Napkin dispensers aren't the subject of many sleepless nights for QSR executives. But maybe they should be.

'Fall'-ing in love again: QSRs roll out offerings to roll in diners

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Trees may shed plenty every fall, but QSR menus do not. Rather, many brands have been adding on like crazy this fall with innovative offerings, both LTO and…

Slim Chickens caters to football fans' food demands

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

There may be no greater test of the success of a catering program than a fanatic football fan, who's been guzzling suds and suddenly becomes hungry. Party…

Krystal proves hurricane response plans help

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Many QSR chains lack hurricane response plans, citing the unique challenge that each storm presents. Not so though for Krystal, whose thorough hurricane…

Fazoli's 'Comeback Kid' shares turnaround story at London summit

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

"It was ugly," Fazoli's President and CEO Carl Howard exclaimed as he detailed the state of the chain when he arrived to lead it nine years ago. "I mean…

London Summit: Coyote Ugly's key considerations before taking on the world

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Coyote Ugly has learned to speak a lot of different languages along its path to global growth. Here, one of the chain's leaders shares the key elements for any…

Show and tell: Coolgreens demonstrates how 'picturing' community health can be profitable

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Oklahoma-based Coolgreens defines itself through community health, and as the chain expands, it will spread that idea in a very visual way.

LEON co-founder: 'How we built an upscale QSR for heaven'

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

As co-owner and CEO of LEON, a 50-unit brand based in London, John Vincent talks and acts like a man who is as far from an evangelist as you can get. Yet, when…

Brand resurrection? Chipotle might just pull it off

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Norovirus outbreak and rat infestation behind it, Chipotle's leadership says the brand is moving on.

Subway's new stores get 'fresh' with diners

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Though so-called "brand refreshes" happen all the time among QSR chains, few concepts have taken the term, "refresh" as literally as Subway with its new…

Be my 'bBff': Marketing guru says best brands 'participate' in diners' lives

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Brands with the most loyal and committed customers know you only earn super-loyalty when you participate in customers' lives, says veteran marketing guru…

Caliburger founder to discuss how $3.1M investment will fuel robotics in the kitchen

The substantial investment is the combined effort of Acacia Research Corporation, Match Robotics VC, and a number of undisclosed strategic investors.

New studies show restaurant 'do's and don'ts' of online ordering, delivery

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

As the restaurant industry continues to bask in the big-dollar benefits of online ordering, two new studies shed light on best practices when it comes to…

How to avoid disputes in the franchisor-franchisee partnership

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

Attorney Brian Schnell of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP offers up advice and tips on how potential franchise operators and franchisors can sidestep common disputes…