KFC expands in Arizona with restaurant opening in Sun City

July 17, 2026

KFC has expanded its presence in Arizona with the opening of a restaurant in Sun City, according to a press release.

Smalls Sliders celebrates first Ohio opening

July 17, 2026

Smalls Sliders is opening its first location in Ohio. The location, in South Point, Ohio, will be led by local operators and brothers Beckett and Sam Gue and…

The Summer Reckoning: What Peak Season Reveals About QSR Labor Strategy

Summer traffic is up, but the labor pool isn't keeping pace. New data shows seasonal hiring down for a third straight year while travel spending climbs. Back…

HTeaO opens Lufkin, Texas location

July 15, 2026

HTeaO will open a location July 18 in Lufkin, Texas. The store is owned and operated by franchise owners Colby and Sarah Carthel, according to a press release

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…

North Carolina Senator Chuck Edwards, wife, sell McDonald’s restaurants

July 13, 2026

Republican Sentator Chuck Edwards (NC-11) and his wife, Teresa, have sold their McDonald's franchise restaurants, according to a news release.

Charleys Cheesesteaks & Wings opens Maryland restaurant

July 13, 2026

Charleys Cheesesteaks & Wings has opened a location at Olde Forte Village, located at 970 E. Swan Creek Road, in Fort Washington, Maryland, providing a new…

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…

HTeaO to host grand opening celebration in Lowell, Arkansas

July 8, 2026

Iced tea franchise HTeaO will host the grand opening of its first Lowell, Arkansas, location on Saturday, July 11, according to a press release.

The World Pizza champion who 'Let go to grow'

13-time world pizza champion Tony Gemignani spent 17 years honing his craft before betting on himself. In this episode of Founderology - Built to Breakthrough…

HTeaO expands Texas footprint with Katy location

July 7, 2026

Iced tea franchise HTeaO will celebrate the grand opening of its newest location in Katy, Texas, on Saturday, July 11, according to a press release.

KFC opens 60th Scotland location

July 6, 2026

KFC has opened its first restaurant in Airdrie, marking the brand's 60th location in Scotland, according to a press release.

International Dairy Queen marks return to Puerto Rico

July 1, 2026

International Dairy Queen Inc., through its subsidiary American Dairy Queen Corporation, has announced a deal to open 20 DQ Grill & Chill restaurants in…

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…

Krispy Kreme entering Estonia

June 29, 2026

Krispy Kreme has signed a five-year development and franchise agreement to open up to 25 units across the Baltic States between 2026 and 2030, expanding its…

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.

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…

LV Petroleum opens 32nd Sbarro in portfolio

June 23, 2026

LV Petroleum, a developer and operator of travel centers, convenience stores and quick-service restaurants throughout the United States, recently opened a…

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.

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…