Smalls Sliders takes the stage as up-and-coming burger brand

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Smalls Sliders offers less than 12 SKUs, but the brand is scaling in a big way.

Taco John's a growing QSR player in Mexican segment

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Taco John's has 375 units, of which seven are corporate owned. With a new store design, savvy multi-unit franchisees and a winning corporate team, the brand…

Restaurants to lean on marketing while facing competition from coffee chains, c-stores

by Emil Davityan — CEO and co-founder, Bluedot

QSRs are grappling with fast-emerging competition from coffee chains luring customers away with faster drive-thrus and convenience stores offering an enticing…

Chipotle, Fazoli's, Smokey Bones share drive-thru, AI insight

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

Top fast casual brand leaders offer valuable insight on how AI is driving a more robust digital drive-thru experience.

Roy Rogers' focus on 3 key components sets it apart in QSR space

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Maryland-based Roy Rogers has 41 units, but the company is readying for growth by franchising. The brand was built on quality, variety and choice.

Chip Cookies bakes up plans for 500 stores in 5 years

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Chip Cookies has 10 units in Utah and Idaho. The brand's leadership plans to open 500 stores in the next five years.

Chipotle, Rally’s, Noodles & Company execs talk increasing drive-thru experience

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Drive-thru innovation and the customer experience was the focus of a panel discussion at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit held this month in…

QSR restaurant design changing for speed, service

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

QSR restaurant design is changing. Brands are rethinking their overall dining rooms and drive-thrus to increase speed and service.

How Layne's Chicken Fingers is battling shortages, pandemic impact

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Eight-unit Layne's Chicken Fingers felt the chicken shortages earlier this year, but weathered through. Samir Wattar, the company's chief operating officer…

Has food become secondary to foodservice?

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

Being a restaurant customer today involves many considerations beyond just the food itself. In fact, at least one group of forecasters said the food is…

'The 10-year prototype is dead,' plus other 2021 QSR predictions

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

Restaurant vendors give their takes on how quick-service operation is changing and what that means for restaurant leaders.

Is your restaurant technology ready for 2021?

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

Restaurateurs learned a lot about the potentially business-saving qualities of restaurant tech in 2020, as the pandemic forced brands to find ways to still…

Study: KFC, Taco Bell, Hardees have fastest drive-thru times

While customers are flocking to drive-thrus for their pandemic-era restaurant fix, they're waiting for their orders 30 seconds longer than last year.

White Castle's drive-thru AI: NOT 'Mr. Roboto'

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

Can artificial intelligence really help a QSR extend a sense of hospitality in the drive-thru? White Castle leadership certainly thinks so, as evidenced by its…

Taco Bell COO on navigating change: 'It's actually getting … more fun'

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

Change is something every restaurateur has gotten a dose of this year, and Taco Bell Global COO Mike Grams said the brand is winning the adaptability game.

Taco Bell rides 'Go Mobile' model to serve 1B drive-thru customers

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

If there are a couple of things we've learned over the past half-year, it's that drive-thru and digital restaurant ordering are here to stay. In this interview…

Sonic 'booms' into future with 'oasis' in QSR design desert

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

Shortly after Inspire Brands acquired Sonic Drive-in about 1 1/2 years ago, it began reimagining the brand for the future. That new look has taken shape in a…

Fast food drive-thrus: Plan for it now or pay for it later

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

If you're building or renovating a QSR now or in the near future, industry experts increasingly recommend that you find a site and the dollars to include a…

Firehouse Subs '5-alarm' tech emergency highlights value of evaluating systems

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

For Firehouse Subs, the emergence of COVID-19 on the American landscape triggered nothing short of a five-alarm emergency to get the sandwich brand in sync…

Making 'masked' hospitality work: Cost, customer engagement challenge QSRs

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

In a COVID-19 world, masks have become a fact of life for restaurant operators and employees. The question now is how to use them safely and cost-effectively…