How Velvet Taco CEO Chris Schultz scales a cult brand without losing its soul

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

During his keynote at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Texas, Chris Schultz will discuss restaurant growth, brand culture, leadership, international…

Taco Bell operator Southpaw expands Midwest footprint with Columbus acquisition

June 29, 2026

Southpaw, a quick-service restaurant operator, has acquired 43 Taco Bell locations in the Columbus, Ohio, area, according to a press release.

Paytronix, Qu launch upgraded menu, order integration for restaurants

June 29, 2026

Paytronix, a guest engagement and digital ordering solutions provider, announced an upgraded integration with commerce platform Qu to automatically sync online…

The Power of the Rearview Mirror and the Windshield: An activity of reflection and projection

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Using the metaphor of a vehicle's small rearview mirror and large windshield, columnist Kathleen Wood shares a structured framework designed to briefly…

Flippy maker Miso Robotics buys Zume IP to launch pizza automation

June 26, 2026

Miso Robotics has acquired the technology and intellectual property of former pizza robotics startup Zume, three years after the company shut down completely…

Miso Robotics Just Became the Food Industry's Largest AI and Robotics Patent Holder

Miso Robotics acquired 300+ patents from Zume Pizza, the food robotics pioneer that raised $450M before closing in 2023. The deal makes Miso the food…

Arby’s partners with Malin Akerman, Harry Jowsey for $1.99 slider campaign

June 25, 2026

Arby's is introducing a nationwide, limited-time promotion featuring its line of sliders for $1.99 each, according to a press release.

How Church’s Texas Chicken uses real estate discipline to drive franchise growth

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Church’s Texas Chicken is bucking the fast-food trend of large, expensive experiential builds by pivoting to a "simplify and amplify" strategy, utilizing…

Hardee’s partners with NASCAR's Bubba Wallace for limited-edition combo meal

June 25, 2026

Hardee's has launched "Bubba's Full Throttle Meal," a special limited-edition combo celebrating its partnership with 23XI Racing and NASCAR driver Bubba…

The Cost of Running Your Restaurant's Internal Communication on Personal Messaging Apps

Using personal messaging apps for work communication creates hidden costs for restaurant teams, from privacy risks and blurred workdays to missed tasks and…

Dunkin’ launches patriotic menu, merchandise for America's 250th birthday

June 24, 2026

Dunkin' has launched a lineup of limited-time beverages, bakery treats and merchandise designed to celebrate the upcoming Fourth of July and America's 250th…

Taco Bell launches global L.O.C.O.S. platform to target emotional fans

June 23, 2026

Taco Bell has launched its global platform, L.O.C.O.S., on Tuesday, aiming to connect with fans experiencing intense emotions from sports events, personal…

From kitchens to tech hubs: Inside fast casual’s digital revolution

In the latest episode of the Restaurant Operator Podcast, Cherryh Cansler, publisher of FastCasual.com, sits down with Luke Wilwerding, Vice President of North…

Presented by Elo Touch Solutions, Inc.

Fast food still cheaper than casual dining, but delivery fees erase gap, study finds

June 22, 2026

A quick-service restaurant meal is still less than half the price of casual dining at the menu level, but delivery markups, platform fees and tips can erase…

KFC expands Cheshire footprint with Winsford Gateway restaurant

June 22, 2026

KFC opened a new drive-thru restaurant at Winsford Gateway on Friday, creating 45 new jobs for the local community, according to a press release.

Sonic launches $2.50 menu for America's 250th birthday

June 19, 2026

Sonic Drive-In is launching a limited-time value menu to commemorate the nation's 250th birthday this summer, according to a press release.

Tord Olav Dønnum on the future of autonomous foodservice

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Tord Olav Dønnum discusses how robotics, automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping foodservice operations and how autonomous kitchens can help…

Wonder, Dave’s Hot Chicken Real Estate VPs reveal growth strategies

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Real estate strategy is central to growth for restaurant brands, and Wonder and Dave's Hot Chicken are taking different approaches to scale. In a podcast…

How Jae Kim is Scaling Chi’Lantro

Jae Kim emptied his $30,000 in savings and maxed out his credit cards to launch a Korean food truck in Austin in 2010. Now he is leading 13 Chi'Lantro…

KFC overhauls global menu, restaurant designs to battle fast-food sameness

June 15, 2026

KFC has announced a global brand evolution aimed at updating its menu and restaurant designs to combat what it describes as the sameness across the…