Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard heats up 2026 with $60K drive-thru incentive program

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is launching an aggressive 2026 incentive program offering up to $60,000 in direct cash support to franchisees who open…

Farmer Boys, Taco Cabana, Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill execs talk high-tech drive-thrus

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

A Fast Casual Executive Summit session highlighted the drive-thru's post-pandemic evolution, moving beyond just speed to prioritize accuracy, hospitality and…

How to reduce wait times in drive-thrus

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

These six tips can reduce wait times at the drive-thru and increase speed and accuracy.

Restaurant chain shares insight on successful e-commerce software strategy

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

A free webinar offers e-commerce software deployment insight from fast casual concept Vapiano and advice from Intel and Menu Technologies.

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…

At 121, Yoshinoya's digital transformation delivers rice bowls for a new age

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

As what many believe may be the world's oldest fast food chain, Yoshinoya -- with 105 U.S. locations --- is proving that you actually can teach that proverbial…

Top online COVID-19 coverage for QSRs: From borrowing options to menu must-haves

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

Need guidance on how to get a loan without the help of a traditional bank? Wondering about your QSR's coffee sales in a pandemic-wary world? This review of…

Restaurateurs respond to Senate's passage of stimulus package

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Leaders of Firehouse Subs, Boloco and the National Restaurant Association weigh in on if the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act goes far enough…

Is your restaurant speaking the COVID-19-era customer's language?

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

The seismic shift that COVID-19 has put on everything about restaurant "life as usual" demands an equally substantial shift in marketing and communication…

American QSR customers enter their 'blue mood'

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

What do purple food, an illegal South American bean and a funky blue fungus on corn have in common? According to Technomic, they're all proven, promising food…

Get real! Authenticity will rule in 2020 QSRs marketing

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

New research indicates that while consumers may not necessariy do what they say when it comes to brand patronage, they expect the QSRs they buy from to be "as…

Making menu boards pay big QSR dividends

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, Connect Media

Spend more on menu boards? QSR operators might like to do that, but doubt that it will pay off enough in this super-competitive, squeaky tight margin market.

Restaurant designer to QSR brands: Will you let tech build or block customer connection?

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

Does your QSR's accommodation for, and use of restaurant tech impinge or improve upon your customer experience? A noted restaurant designer told a crowd at the…

Doing the digital advertising dance: 3 brands talk about getting in step

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, Connect Media

Top executives from Your Pie, Fazoli's and Wings Etc. recently shared their challenges and successes in keeping up with the rate of change in digital…

Restaurant tech experts: Tech is pushing QSRs 'away from counter,' toward collaboration

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

Restaurant tech experts at Omnivore, Rosnet, Givex and Kallpod tell QSR leaders what to watch when it comes to technology investment.

Subway: The future means 'more'

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

With new CEO Trevor Haynes at the helm, Subway is taking a fresh approach that is all about doing "more" for the menu, customers and franchisees.

McDonald's invests billions into kiosk-heavy remodels in 6,000-plus US stores

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

McDonald's Corporation is spending $6 billion to revamp more than 6,000 stores throughout the U.S. in hopes of transforming itself into an efficiency expert's…

QSR trends-to-be: Native American novelties to fermented Finnish foods

As a restaurateur, can you choose the menu trends coming down the pike, or would you like to know what trends forecasters say SHOULD be on you menus? Take this…

Kiosks, digital signage: Issues, but benefits worth it

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Global food service operator, Sodexo, and travel plaza operator, Love's, told an audience at the recent Dallas ICX Summit that even though there are…

Research proves connecting digitally = thinking generationally

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

Digital communication is no longer an "option" for QSRs, it's an essential. But to do it well, you must "know thy audience" ... every single one of them, and…