Story

Fast Casual, Growth, News, Story

Piada Italian Street Food Cracks Fast-Casual Code with Pasta, Discipline, and Scale

The Italian fast-casual segment isn’t the biggest restaurant segment in the world, but Piada Italian Street Food has carved out a comfortable spot. Traditional Italian dining has historically been more sit-down, full-service, and it hasn’t naturally translated to fast casual the way cuisines like Mexican or Mediterranean have, which lend themselves more easily to an […]

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Emerging Concepts, Fast Casual, News, Start to Finish: What Inspires Execs, Story

6 Questions with Randy’s Donuts CEO Mark Kelegian

When I bought Randy’s Donuts in 2015, I knew I wasn’t just stepping into a business, but instead I was becoming part of a cultural icon. For more than 70 years, the original Inglewood location has been a landmark recognized around the world, appearing in films, music videos, and countless photos from customers who grew […]

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News, Outside Insights, Story, Technology

While the Phone Rings, Restaurants are Losing $20 Billion

Restaurants are entering 2026 under pressure. Ingredient costs keep climbing. Margins keep shrinking. Labor remains unpredictable. Most operators focus on what they can’t control. But there’s one massive revenue leak they’re ignoring—one they could actually fix: the phone. Your staff is boxing orders, seating a six-top, and managing three delivery drivers. The phone rings. No […]

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Fast Casual, Franchising, Growth, News, Story

Slim Chickens Emphasizes Discipline to Power Next Phase of Growth

Slim Chickens is entering a new phase of growth, and newly appointed president and COO Christina Vaughan is working to ensure the brand scales with discipline. The fast casual entered 2026 with more than 330 units worldwide and over 1,000 in development. Target markets include Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, […]

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Fast Casual, Fast Food, Finance, Legal, News, Story

CEO Andy Wiederhorn to Step Aside as FAT Brands Strikes Deal to Stabilize Bankruptcy

FAT Brands’ bankruptcy case took a decisive turn as the company asked a federal court to approve a sweeping governance overhaul—one that sidelines longtime CEO Andy Wiederhorn, hands control to an independent committee, and unlocks debtor-in-possession financing needed to keep the business operating. A recent court filing outlined an agreement between FAT Brands, a group […]

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Burgers, Fast Casual, Food, Growth, Marketing & Promotions, Menu Innovations, News, Story

Smashburger Rebuilds Brand Identity and Growth Potential

At the start of 2025, Smashburger found itself “a little lost” on multiple fronts, including brand positioning, according to cofounder Tom Ryan. The 190-unit chain’s ethos had become fuzzy over the past six to seven years, and Ryan believes several executives who came in and out of the business during this period didn’t have a […]

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Employee Management, Fast Food, Franchising, News, Story

How a Legacy McDonald’s Franchisee is Navigating an Evolving Labor Market

One of Leigh Chamness’ earliest memories came in kindergarten, when she stared through the bus window and saw a giant Ronald McDonald behind her house. Her mother was washing it down for a corporate event, and the bus erupted. McDonald’s being a part of her childhood was hardly a one-off afternoon, though. Chamness’ mother was […]

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Fast Casual, Fast Food, Marketing & Promotions, News, Story

How Smart Brand Activations Turn Guests Into Loyal Advocates

In today’s crowded restaurant and hospitality landscape, great food and service are no longer enough on their own. The if you build it, they will come mentality can be a quick path to obsolescence without the support of an ongoing activation strategy.   Increasingly, guests are looking for experiences and moments that feel memorable, shareable and […]

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Fast Casual, Fast Food, News, Outside Insights, Story

Creating Premium QSR Customer Experiences Through Superior Food Packaging

Takeout and to-go order volumes have skyrocketed, bringing new guests to the quick-service restaurant segment. At the same time, consumer expectations for delivery time, food quality, and freshness have also increased significantly alongside the rise of apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. People now expect high-quality, at-home meals that match the experiences they have […]

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