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…

HTeaO names former Freddy's executive Brian Wise as CEO

August 5, 2026

Iced tea franchise HTeaO has named Brian Wise as its chief executive officer as the company prepares for further national expansion.

McDonald's promotes Skye Anderson to president

August 4, 2026

McDonald's Corp. has named Skye Anderson, a 26-year company veteran, as its next president, according to a press release.

Checkers & Rally's taps Peter Busse as chief development officer

August 4, 2026

Checkers & Rally's has named Peter Busse as chief development officer to lead its franchise development strategy and support the brand's long-term…

Krispy Kreme names 2 to leadership team

August 3, 2026

Krispy Kreme has appointed Suk Nicholas as chief commercial officer and Lori Suess as chief people officer. Both appointments are effective immediately…

3 leaders every Founder must hire to scale

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

To successfully scale a company and transition from an overwhelmed operator to a confident CEO, founders must stop trying to manage everything themselves and…

Yum Brands COO Tracy Skeans retiring after 25 years; Nai De Leon named successor

July 30, 2026

Yum Brands COO and Chief People and Culture Officer Tracy Skeans is retiring, according to Chris Turner, CEO of Yum Brands, in the brand's earnings call this…

How to Make Sure Only the Right People Are in Your Team Chat

Wrong people in your team chat? Learn why it happens, what it costs, and how to keep every group chat organized so messages only reach the right people.

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…

Maria Cacciapuoti to join KFC Global as COO

July 24, 2026

Maria Cacciapuoti will join KFC Global as chief operations officer, reporting directly to Scott Mezvinsky, KFC Global CEO, effective Sept. 1, according to a…

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.

Team Communication Tools for Restaurants: What to Look for in 2026

There are a lot of team chat apps out there, but how do you know which one fits how your team works and will get used? Here's what to look for before choosing.

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…

Dairy Queen hires Phil Crawford to lead global retail technology

July 8, 2026

International Dairy Queen Inc. has named Phil Crawford as executive vice president and chief technology officer, according to a press release.

The 6 Best Team Chat Apps for Restaurant Teams

Restaurant teams all work a little differently, but they all need organized team communication. Here's what to look for, plus the 6 best team chat apps for…

The top 3 priorities for Founder success in 2026

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

To succeed in 2026's highly competitive market, businesses must focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional customer experiences across all channels…

Why Your Restaurant Staff Can Never Truly Clock Out From the Work Chat

When work and personal messages land in the same messaging app, your restaurant staff can never truly clock out. Here's what that costs you.

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…

The Power of the Rearview Mirror and the Windshield: An activity of reflection and projection

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Using the metaphor of a vehicle's small rearview mirror and large windshield, columnist Kathleen Wood shares a structured framework designed to briefly…

Miso Robotics Just Became the Food Industry's Largest AI and Robotics Patent Holder

Miso Robotics acquired 300+ patents from Zume Pizza, the food robotics pioneer that raised $450M before closing in 2023. The deal makes Miso the food…