Business Strategy and Profitability News & Media

Solink expands leadership team to advance AI-powered retail and restaurant intelligence

October 12, 2026

Solink, an AI vision intelligence provider serving brick-and-mortar businesses, is expanding its leadership team with three appointments designed to support…

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Arby’s expands cheesesteak lineup

October 12, 2026

Arby's is expanding its premium cheesesteak platform with three new limited-time offerings: the Chicken Cheesesteak, Chicken Deluxe Cheesesteak and Spicy…

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Dunkin’ teams with Marvel for Avengers: Doomsday-inspired menu

October 9, 2026

Dunkin' is teaming up with Marvel Studios to launch a limited-time menu and collectible merchandise inspired by the upcoming film "Avengers: Doomsday," the…

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Taco Bell, Milk Bar reunite for Birthday Cake Empanada

October 9, 2026

Taco Bell and Milk Bar are teaming up for their third collaboration with the launch of the Milk Bar Birthday Cake Empanada, available nationwide Oct. 15 for a…

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Hardee's names Alisa Gmelich president

October 8, 2026

CKE Restaurants Holdings has appointed Alisa Gmelich president of Hardee's, effective immediately. Reporting to CEO Joe Guith, Gmelich will oversee more than…

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Uber to purchase ezCater in $2.3B deal

October 6, 2026

Uber has agreed to acquire workplace catering platform ezCater in an all-cash transaction valued at $2.3 billion, a move that will expand Uber Eats deeper into…

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Bloomin’ leadership lessons with Tim Gannon, co-founder of Outback Steakhouse

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Outback Steakhouse co-Founder Tim Gannon shares how with only $37, a ripped-up $1 million check and two great partners, a legendary brand was built and the…

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FCES keynote: To go far, go together

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Connect Food

Chicken Salad Chick’s story shows that scaling successfully isn’t necessarily about moving faster or constantly reinventing the brand. It’s about knowing what…

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Auntie Anne’s, Activate Games team up for interactive Las Vegas experience

October 5, 2026

Auntie Anne's is taking its pretzels to the game room through an interactive partnership with Activate Games, tied to the active-gaming brand's first Nevada…

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Valentina Ellison brings airport restaurant experience to automated vending

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Valentina Ellison, CEO and co-founder of Evolvending, is drawing on nearly two decades in airport concessions and nontraditional restaurants to expand…

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Verifran launches platform to streamline franchisee qualification

October 2, 2026

Verifran has launched a franchise intelligence platform designed to help franchisors evaluate prospective franchisees earlier in the development process, the…

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Budget-conscious diners turn to QSRs as spending shifts

October 1, 2026

A new Popmenu study found 67% of U.S. consumers are spending less at restaurants than they did last year, while 60% are dining out less frequently. Average…

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In-N-Out tops restaurant brands in ChangeUp’s 2026 Experience Report

September 29, 2026

In-N-Out has been named the top restaurant brand for customer experience for the second consecutive year in ChangeUp's 2026 Experience Report, with Texas…

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Popeyes combines chicken, biscuits and honey in new sandwich

September 28, 2026

Popeyes has launched the Honey Chicken Biscuit, a $5 sandwich combining the chain's signature chicken with a larger version of its buttermilk biscuit and two…

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Beyond the paycheck: How Canary helps restaurant brands turn compassion into action

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Connect Food

As financial emergencies put increasing pressure on frontline workers, emergency-relief provider Canary is demonstrating how employers can turn a people-first…

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Square integrates Apple Business to boost restaurant visibility on Apple Maps

September 24, 2026

Square has launched a new integration with Apple Business, allowing restaurant operators and other local businesses to manage their presence across Apple Maps…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Why Dillas Quesadillas simplified its menu to prepare for growth

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Connect Food

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…

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