The magic formula behind TCBY’s highest-grossing location

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

A Dallas-based franchisee has maintained TCBY’s highest-grossing location for over two decades by leveraging strong corporate systems, a unique drive-thru…

Wendy’s reports comp declines; remains focused on turnaround

by Valerie Gritton

August 7, 2026

Wendy's reported its Q2 earnings, showing a U.S. comparable same-store sales decline of 7% while international comps decreased 2.3%. Overall, global same-store…

The next generation of QSRs part 3: Why operational excellence is the modern competitive advantage

by Valerie Gritton

As restaurants move beyond competing primarily on value and marketing, operational excellence is emerging as the next major battleground for growth. Major QSR…

Can Your Business Survive Without Labels? Why Label Performance Matters

Labels are small but critical to keeping product information connected throughout the supply chain. Iconex lined labels are engineered and lab-tested to…

QSR Food Waste Series

Operational errors in QSRs can drive costly food waste, remakes, and order mistakes. Iconex linerless labels help improve product identification and order…

Presented by Iconex

Why Taco Cabana is expanding its franchise beyond the Lone Star State

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

In this episode of the Restaurant Operator Podcast, host Mandy Detwiler chats with Taco Cabana's director of franchise sales and development, John Ramsay…

AI and the Future of Restaurants: From Foot Traffic to Predictive Insight

As consumer behavior and privacy expectations evolve, restaurants need smarter ways to understand diners and drive growth. Gladys Kong of Azira and Isabelle…

Presented by Azira

Before Zaxby’s and Cane’s, there was Guthrie’s: Now, the pioneer is scaling.

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Guthrie’s, the pioneering 1965 brand that originated the quick-service chicken finger category, is leveraging its streamlined menu, highly guarded proprietary…

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…

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

by Valerie Gritton

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…

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

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

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…

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…

Evolution of the LTO: How TikTok is driving menu innovation

by Valerie Gritton

Designed to inspire, entertain and spark conversation, TikTok has transformed everyday menu items — and customers — into viral sensations. Welcome to the next…

Burger King extends chicken sandwich lineup

July 7, 2026

Burger King has announced the launch of two new additions to its Original Chicken Sandwich lineup: the Loaded Jalapeño Original Chicken Sandwich and the Club…

Rethinking the drive-thru experience for today’s conscious consumer

by Michelle Connolly — Director of Sales, Managed Services & Solutions Group, Panasonic Connect North America

To combat modern drive-thru challenges like slow service and order inaccuracies, quick-service restaurants are adopting incremental tech upgrades — such as…