Operations News & Media

HTeaO closes out 2025 with 36 openings, focus on beverage innovation

January 12, 2026

Iced-tea chain HTeaO closed out 2025 with 35 new locations, including 14 openings in Q4 alone, according to a press release.

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21 states just raised their minimum wage - and automation demand is surging

California leads the way as 21 states raise their minimum wage in January 2026, forcing restaurant operators to either adapt or face increase financial…

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Aloha, Innovation: Why L&L’s Eddie Flores Jr is a must-see at RFIS 2026

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Anyone who knows Eddie knows he brings a witty, frank and refreshingly honest perspective to the table. He's going to talk about the "unconventional…

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White Castle promotes Jamie Richardson to CMO

January 8, 2026

White Castle has promoted Jamie Richardson to chief marketing officer. The Ohio-based slider brand is replacing Lynn Blashford, who is retiring after 15 years…

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Modernize or Die: Why Bandaids Won't Fix Restaurant Hemorrhaging

Restaurant bankruptcies surge: 28% of 2024 corporate filings cite labor shortages. Miso Robotics CEO argues QSR operators must shift from customer-facing tech…

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FastCasual opens nominations for 2026 Top 100 Movers & Shakers

January 7, 2026

Nominations close Feb. 8.

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1 question every Founder should ask (Most never do)

In our latest Founderology podcast episode, Ellis Winstanley and I discuss his Founder’s journey, from being an 18-year-old who refused to accept he couldn't…

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How to amplify your leadership impact by leading with influence

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Leading with influence focuses on building trust, empathy and a shared vision to inspire teams toward higher engagement and growth, moving beyond traditional…

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Speaker Spotlight: Chris Demery, CTO of Blaze Pizza

Chris Demery, CTO of Blaze Pizza, shares a look at his career, his achievements and industry trends ahead of his appearance at the Restaurant Franchising …

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Federal lawsuit claims McDonald's McRib has no pork rib meat

January 5, 2026

A federal class action lawsuit has been filed against McDonald's claiming the brand's popular McRib sandwich doesn't contain actual pork rib meat, according to…

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Refresh your XM strategy with this clear, practical checklist

A simple visual guide to help strengthen your customer and employee experiences.

Presented by Service Management Group

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Unlock New Customers: Leverage Delivery Aggregators for Restaurant Growth

A food delivery aggregator solution can provide significant return on investment because it’s an online platform that simplifies delivery operations for…

Presented by SpeedLine Solutions

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India's KFC, Pizza Hut operators to merge in $934M deal

January 2, 2026

Sapphire Foods India, India's KFC and Pizza Hut operators, will merge with Devyani International in a $934 million deal, according to a CNBC report.

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Visibility Is Security: The Compliance Risk of Internal Team Communication

Your biggest security risk isn't external - it's your internal communication. Discover how using personal chat apps for work creates massive compliance risk…

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Jack in the Box kicks off 75th anniversary with throwbacks, collectibles

December 29, 2025

Jack in the Box is kicking off its 75th anniversary with throwback menu items, exclusive collectables, deals and surprises, according to a press release.

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Restaurant industry experts make predictions for 2026

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Industry experts predict that the 2026 restaurant landscape will be defined by a "Me-Me-Me Economy," where brands must leverage integrated AI and data-driven…

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