Beverage innovation comes to drive-thru and delivery

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

In this two-part series, we highlight two emerging businesses, Sunfly and CoffeeNow, as the next wave of beverage-brand startups. Up first, how Sunfly is…

Bojangles extends AI drive-thru partnership as Bo-Linda tops 1M weekly orders

October 22, 2026

Bojangles and Hi Auto have signed a multi-year extension of their partnership to continue expanding Bo-Linda, the AI-powered drive-thru ordering system now…

Square launches AI-powered kiosk for QSR's

October 16, 2026

Square has unveiled Square Kiosk, an intelligent self-service ordering system designed to help quick-service restaurants manage peak-hour traffic, ease…

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…

Sunfly debuts tropical-inspired drive-thru beverage concept in Texas

October 9, 2026

Sunfly has opened its first location in The Colony, Texas, introducing a drive-thru beverage concept that combines craft cocktail-inspired drinks, functional…

Presto raises $10M to expand drive-thru Voice AI technology

September 30, 2026

Presto has raised $10 million from Remus Capital-affiliated investors and other existing investors to support the expansion of its Voice AI technology for…

Voice AI has rewritten the drive-thru, the future of QSR

Voice AI is transforming the QSR drive-thru. With deployments at brands such as Taco Bell, the technology is helping franchisees streamline operations, reduce…

Wienerschnitzel enters West Virginia through GoMart partnership

September 22, 2026

Wienerschnitzel is expanding its nontraditional footprint through a new franchise agreement with travel plaza and convenience store operator GoMart, the…

The restaurant of tomorrow takes center stage at #QSRNext 2026

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

#QSRNext 2026 will bring together restaurant executives and industry leaders to explore the forces reshaping quick service, including AI, drive-thru…

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…

How Linerless Labels Improve QSR Beverage Operations

As beverage programs evolve, QSR operators need solutions that scale with speed, accuracy, and efficiency. Iconex linerless beverage labels keep critical order…

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

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…

The Hidden Driver of Order Accuracy

How label technology powers speed, accuracy, and operational efficiency in a digital-first world.

Presented by Iconex

Los Angeles suburb Culver City weighs permanent drive-thru ban, threatening proposed In-N-Out Burger

July 15, 2026

Culver City, California officials are considering a permanent ban on new drive-through businesses, a decision that could halt plans for a new In-N-Out Burger…

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…

Rita’s Italian Ice opens 1st of 4 planned DFW drive-thru locations

June 30, 2026

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard will open its doors July 1 in North Richland Hills, marking the beginning of an expansion across North Texas, according…

Palmer Digital Group's digital menu boards steps above competition

Palmer Digital Group has a modern line of digital menu boards perfect for foodservice.

Presented by Palmer Digital Group

Off-premise blitz: Turning pandemic survival tactics into long-term growth engines

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Industry leaders at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit highlighted how the shift from convenience to a permanent off-premise model requires a…

How McDonald’s 'three-for-three' strategy drove Q1 gains

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

May 8, 2026

McDonald's earnings call discussed how the company's three-for-three concept helped drive numbers in Q1 2026.