Story

Fast Casual, Fast Food, Franchising, News, Sandwiches, Story

Next-Gen Franchise Leaders Modernize Family Businesses at Schlotzsky’s and Auntie Anne’s

For second-generation franchisees, stepping into leadership often means balancing loyalty to a parent’s legacy with the realities of running a modern operation. In the GoTo Foods system, two daughters of longtime operators have lived that dynamic firsthand, inheriting stores built by their families and ushering them into a new era.  These owners occupy a unique […]

The post Next-Gen Franchise Leaders Modernize Family Businesses at Schlotzsky’s and Auntie Anne’s appeared first on QSR Magazine.

Emerging Concepts, Fast Casual, Franchising, News, Story

Greg Levin’s CEO Journey at Starbird Begins with Storytelling

Greg Levin refers to his operating style as being a “service and hospitality hawk.” He doesn’t conduct a ton of interviews or get out front and speak publicly about his plans. What he likes to do, though, is sit in restaurants, pull up a table, and watch customers engage with the brand. This approach followed […]

The post Greg Levin’s CEO Journey at Starbird Begins with Storytelling appeared first on QSR Magazine.

Burgers, Fast Food, Marketing & Promotions, News, Outside Insights, Story

The Real Lesson Behind McDonald’s Social Media Backlash

What works in the boardroom typically doesn’t translate to the rest of the outside world. But that didn’t stop McDonald’s CEO from trying in a now-famous social media post that sparked a fast-food brand dogpile from Burger King, Wendy’s, and a host of others. From the CEO’s delivery to the very tentative “bite,” it all […]

The post The Real Lesson Behind McDonald’s Social Media Backlash appeared first on QSR Magazine.

Beverage, Franchising, Growth, News, Story

Report: Gong Cha Owner Weighs Possible Sale

The owner of Gong cha is reportedly considering a sale of the bubble tea concept, according to Bloomberg. Private equity firm TA Associates, which acquired a majority stake in Gong cha seven years ago, is working with JPMorgan Chase & Co. on a deal that could value the brand at around $2 billion. Bloomberg also […]

The post Report: Gong Cha Owner Weighs Possible Sale appeared first on QSR Magazine.

Consumer Trends, Fast Casual, Fast Food, News, Story, Technology

Restaurants Say Tech Innovation Isn’t Taking Away Jobs

The National Restaurant Association’s 2026 State of the Industry report calls for sector sales to hit $1.55 trillion as operators add north of 100,000 jobs. But, of course, there are layers to the growth as pressures mount and guest spending remains weary. For this piece, however, we’ll focus on the operational findings of the Association’s […]

The post Restaurants Say Tech Innovation Isn’t Taking Away Jobs appeared first on QSR Magazine.

Breakfast, Fast Casual, Fast Food, Menu Innovations, News, Story

Why Comfort is the New Currency at Breakfast

At one point, breakfast menus leaned heavily into inspirational eating with lighter, healthier options meant to help guests start the day on the right note. That era of avocado toast stacked high for Instagram appears to be fading, says George McLaughlin, cofounder and CEO of fast-casual breakfast and brunch chain Vicious Biscuit. “There’s been this […]

The post Why Comfort is the New Currency at Breakfast appeared first on QSR Magazine.

Consumer Trends, Fast Casual, Fast Food, Finance, Franchising, News, Story

QSR Franchising Industry Slated for Cautious Growth in 2026

Given the backdrop of ongoing cost and traffic challenges, the International Franchise Association projected a conservative 0.5 growth rate for the QSR sector in 2026, according to its latest Franchising Outlook Report. That would take the number of QSR franchise establishments to roughly 281,000 units employing 5.2 million people. And aligned with 2026’s tempered pace, […]

The post QSR Franchising Industry Slated for Cautious Growth in 2026 appeared first on QSR Magazine.

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

Graeter’s Refreshes Look While Staying True to 155-Year Legacy

Graeter’s Ice Cream is stepping into a new era with an updated look. The brand celebrated its 155th birthday last year with a refreshed design that honors its legacy while highlighting the premium, flavor-forward ice cream that has sustained it for more than a century and a half. The story begins in 1870, when Louis […]

The post Graeter’s Refreshes Look While Staying True to 155-Year Legacy appeared first on QSR Magazine.

Fast Food, News, Story, Women in Restaurant Leadership

How Amanda Potts is Bringing A&W’s ‘Heart of the Hometown’ to Life

For Amanda Potts, franchising isn’t a business model—it’s personal. It’s about families building futures, operators shaping their communities, and brands that live far beyond a quarterly campaign. That’s why A&W’s structure stood out to her: a 107-year-old chain owned by its franchisees, guided by the National A&W Franchisees Association and rooted in the very towns […]

The post How Amanda Potts is Bringing A&W’s ‘Heart of the Hometown’ to Life appeared first on QSR Magazine.

Beverage, Fast Food, Franchising, Growth, News, Story

How Auntie Anne’s and Jamba Are Modernizing for the Next Era

GoTo Foods is positioning Auntie Anne’s and Jamba as examples of how legacy brands can modernize while keeping their core product equities intact. For Mike Freeman, VP of brands at GoTo Foods, the common thread is reducing friction for guests and teams through store design, equipment, and digital ordering, then validating each step through measurable […]

The post How Auntie Anne’s and Jamba Are Modernizing for the Next Era appeared first on QSR Magazine.

Scroll to Top