Del Taco ranks No. 1 in USA Today's 2026 10Best

July 22, 2026

Del Taco has received top honors in USA Today's 2026 10Best Reader's Choice Awards, earning a spot as the No. 1 Fast Food Restaurant and No. 1 Fast Food Fries…

Layne's Chicken Fingers celebrates 50 restaurants; rapid Q2 growth

July 22, 2026

Layne's Chicken Fingers awarded two dozen new franchise deals in the first half of 2026, expanding its operating footprint to more than 50 restaurants through…

The next generation of QSRs Part 2: How AI, personalization are turning loyalty into a growth engine

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Connect Food

Following Part 1’s look at how rising costs and changing consumer expectations are reshaping value, Part 2 examines how QSR brands are using loyalty data, AI…

What the data says about restaurant catering today

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

As corporate catering transforms into a critical growth engine for the restaurant industry, top brands will share their battle-tested, data-driven playbooks…

Toastique Founder Brianna Keefe details growth from single toast bar to national franchise

Toastique founder Brianna Keefe opened her first location at 24 with no investors, a personal guarantee, and a vision for a concept that didn't yet exist. In…

Burger King introduces new manager role, Whopper guarantee policy

July 20, 2026

Burger King is launching two customer service initiatives based on feedback received during a recent listening initiative led by the company's leadership. The…

McDonald's kiosk update closes rewards loophole

July 20, 2026

McDonald's customers claim the company has closed a loophole that allowed diners to redeem multiple app deals during a single restaurant visit by placing…

Irv's Burgers to host 'I-Scream Carnival' ahead of Eli Roth horror film release

July 17, 2026

Irv's Burgers is partnering with filmmaker Eli Roth for a limited-time promotional collaboration ahead of the theatrical release of his upcoming horror movie…

Build your leadership team: The team that reports directly to you

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

True organizational growth and scalability require distinguishing between mere managers and genuine leaders.

How Golden Chick is taking on QSR giants with new ‘Gimme That Golden’ campaign

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Golden Chick CMO Howard Terry discusses how the brand's energetic new "Gimme That Golden" campaign modernizes the legacy concept to compete with major QSR…

Home Run Inn selects quench to support new marketing efforts

July 17, 2026

Home Run Inn Pizza is preparing for a new integrated marketing campaign as the Chicago brand looks to drive growth across both its retail and restaurant…

The next generation of QSR, Part 1: The new economics of value

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Connect Food

This four-part series explores the forces reshaping the next generation of quick-service restaurants, examining how shifting consumer behaviors, economic…

The 1:1 Personalization Playbook: Using AI to send every guest their own offer

In this session, Hang CEO Matt Smolin, whose platform powers millions of AI-personalized offers a month for restaurant brands, and Rev Ciancio, CMO of Salad…

Presented by Hang

Pizza Hut launches limited-time 'Throwback Value Menu' with items starting at $3

July 15, 2026

Pizza Hut has launched a limited-time Throwback Value Menu nationwide, featuring a selection of classic and new items with prices starting at $3, according to…

Dodo Pizza’s playbook for international success

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

In this Pizza Marketplace podcast, executives from Dodo Brands discuss how the company uses its proprietary technology platform and a balance of global…

Hungry Howie's partners with DoorDash to overhaul digital ordering, loyalty program

July 14, 2026

Hungry Howie's and DoorDash have partnered to overhaul the pizza chain's digital ordering system, website, mobile app and loyalty program, according to a press…

Savory CEO to detail ‘Savory System’ growth strategy at Fast Casual Executive Summit

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

Shauna Smith, Savory co-founder, and CEO Clay Dover, will share insight on the company’s “Savory System,” which is a roadmap on building a management…

Backed by social media demand, Panda Express returns hot orange chicken

July 10, 2026

Panda Express has relaunched the chain's Hot Orange Chicken. The limited-time sandwich will be available July 11, just ahead of National Chicken Day, July 15…

A masterclass in munchies: Why Kahala Brands is betting big on twist and scoop

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Kahala Brands is pairing Cold Stone Creamery and Wetzel’s Pretzels under one roof as a strategic co-branding initiative designed to reduce franchisee overhead…

Irv’s Burgers continues Nevada growth

July 9, 2026

Irv's Burgers is continuing its expansion across Southern Nevada with the opening of a new restaurant inside Green Valley Ranch Resort & Casino & Spa…