Part 1: Cool technologies at the NRA Show 2026

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Editor Mandy Wolf Detwiler spent time in the tech pavilion at the National Restaurant Association Show.

The 'people-first' philosophy that turned a broke delivery driver into Domino’s largest U.S. franchisee

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Former delivery driver Brian Bailey scaled his Domino’s franchise from a single New Mexico location into a massive 160-store empire by maintaining a strict…

Wendy's names Robert D. 'Bob' Wright president, CEO

May 20, 2026

The Wendy's Company has appointed Robert D. "Bob" Wright as president and CEO, effective May 21. Wright will also join the company's board of directors…

Inland National Development Company affiliate sells Illinois building anchored by Dunkin'

May 20, 2026

An affiliate of Inland National Development Company, LLC, a member company of The Inland Real Estate Group of Companies, Inc., has completed the sale of Ogden…

The success formula that took Everbowl from 1 to 400 locations

I sat down with Jeff Fenster, who built five eight- to nine-figure companies, exited three, and grew Everbowl to more than 100 open locations with almost 40…

AI Won't Save Your Restaurant, But Unified Data Will

Despite 73% of operators investing in AI, only 9% see real results. Leaders from Dave's Hot Chicken and Taco John's share why: fragmented data, over-reliance…

The Power of Financial Planning, Financial Visibility leads to business sustainability

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

To achieve sustainable growth and avoid the "stuck zone," Founders must overcome the emotional avoidance of their financials by owning their P&L, hiring expert…

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…

Ovation, Tap leaders share tips on crafting a guest feedback strategy

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

A panel talk at the upcoming Restaurant Marketing Workshop will deliver insight on not only getting a guest feedback approach up and running but tips and…

Mellow Mushroom VP shares secrets to long-term franchise success

In this episode of the Pizza Marketplace podcast, Mellow Mushroom VP of Franchise Development Jamie Cecil discusses the brand's 50-year history of "unicorn…

Hundreds of Dunkin’ locations planned for Canada in new partnership

May 12, 2026

Foodtastic, a Canadian restaurant operator, has signed a master franchising agreement with Inspire Brands to open hundreds of Dunkin' locations across Canada…

How the Best Franchise Groups Get Franchise Communication Right

The bigger your franchise gets, the harder team communication becomes to manage. This guide covers what every franchise operator needs to know about keeping…

The Power of One Direction: one of the most important and underutilized factors of greatness

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

The "Power of One Direction" is a leadership discipline where Founders transition from keeping strategies in their heads to creating a written plan, providing…

Wendy’s Q1 sales decline 7.8% as Project Fresh turnaround gains momentum

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Wendy's reported its Q1 2026 results on May 8, focusing on its Project Fresh initiatives.

From scribbles to savings: Why precision labeling is the new profit protector

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Star Micronics is showcasing its versatile mC-Label series at the National Restaurant Association Show this weekend, highlighting how high-precision labeling…

Presented by Star Micronics America

What Every Multi-Location Business Needs to Know About Team Communication

Here's what every multi-location business needs to know about getting team communication right at scale.

Papa Johns maintains 2026 outlook despite 6.4% North America sales drop

May 8, 2026

Papa John's International Inc. reported a decline in first-quarter profit and North American sales this week, as the pizza chain struggled with a cautious…

5 restaurant marketing mistakes that cost traffic, leads, revenue

by Mike Kresch — VP of Strategy, Moburst

Restaurants often fail to see a return on marketing when they treat it as a series of disconnected efforts rather than a cohesive, data-driven system focused…

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.

White Castle continues Florida growth with Kissimmee restaurant opening

May 7, 2026

White Castle has opened its third freestanding Central Florida restaurant. The restaurant is open in Kissimmee, according to a press release.