Beyond the balance sheet: why the future of franchising is proactive, not passive

At the upcoming Restaurant Innovation and Franchising Summit, industry experts will share strategies for moving beyond passive bookkeeping to maximize…

Reigniting passion in your team: a blueprint for peak performance

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Cultivating employee passion through purpose, recognition and autonomy is the key to driving superior business performance, innovation and long-term retention…

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

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

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…

McDonald's sales rise as value meals take precedence

February 13, 2026

McDonald's has doubled-down on its value meals and Americans are returning to the brand, according to a press release.

Sales continue to fall as Wendy's struggles in 4th quarter

February 13, 2026

Wendy's continues to struggle in its fourth quarter as same-store sales fell 10.1% compared with the 8.5% decline expected by analysts. The decline hailed from…

Operators are in Love with Automation this Valentine's Day

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with kitchen consistency. Learn how automated fry stations improve safety, cut food waste, reduce labor strain, and deliver reliable…

2026 State of the Industry: 10 trends redefining the restaurant landscape

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

The 2026 restaurant landscape is more data-rich than ever, but it remains a people-first business. By leveraging technology to remove friction, operators can…

Chick-fil-A to award $6M in grants

February 12, 2026

Chick-fil-A will award $6 million in grants to 56 nonprofit organizations as part of its True Inspiration Awards program this year, according to a press…

Peter Piper Pizza truly engrained in the communities it serves

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

In this podcast episode, Peter Piper Pizza CMO Genaro Perez discusses how the 50-year-old legacy brand drives growth through affordable lunch buffets and a…

Successful and struggling: The Founder paradox no one talks about

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

We explore the "founder's paradox" of being both successful and isolated, ultimately arguing that connecting with a community of peers is the essential…

Whataburger to open 1st Tampa Bay-area restaurant

February 6, 2026

Whataburger is coming to the Tampa Bay area. The burger brand will open its first Largo, Florida, restaurant on Feb., 12. Swag for the first guests in line and…

The most overlooked payment security mistakes in QSRs

by Chris Brown — Senior Product Marketing Manager, SecureTrust

Despite the high-speed nature of the fast food industry, operators must prioritize payment security by updating legacy hardware, securing third-party…

Kitchens are not ready for Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl Sunday exposes how QSR kitchens break under extreme demand, with fry stations becoming bottlenecks as orders surge. The article argues automation…

Applications now open for LDEI 2026 Awards

February 5, 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 Les Dames d'Escoffier International (LDEI) Legacy Awards, supported by The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the…

Yum Brands reports Q4, year-end results; Pizza Hut to close 250 units

February 5, 2026

Yum Brands, Inc. released its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended Dec. 31, 2025, highlighting significant profit growth and a…

Grubhub eliminating fees on orders over $50

February 5, 2026

Grubhub is moving to eliminate the industry's most persistent pain point by waiving delivery and service fees on larger orders, a shift the company will debut…

Bridging the restaurant coaching gap: LEAD announces leadership events in KC, Dallas

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

As the publisher of FastCasual.com and a proud Kansas Citian, I've always said that some of the best leadership in the restaurant industry is bred right here…

Loop AI secures $14M Series A to scale restaurant back-office technology

February 3, 2026

Loop AI, an enterprise AI platform for restaurant and retail back offices, has raised $14 million in Series A funding, according to a press release.

Empowering restaurants to thrive: How smart technology is transforming the guest experience and the bottom line

by Fast Casual

Amid modern restaurant challenges lies a powerful opportunity – by embracing innovative technology, restaurants can not only survive but truly thrive.

Presented by Oracle

Thriving through uncertainty: the power of resilience in leadership and business

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Resilience is the essential "superpower" for navigating modern uncertainty, serving as a developable skill that enables individuals and organizations to…