
Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks announced strategic supply‑chain partnerships with Amoroso’s Baking Co. and Philly’s Best Steak Company to support its national franchise rollout. Amoroso’s will supply a custom‑cut baguette, while Philly’s Best becomes the exclusive, Halal‑certified protein provider, standardizing menu quality across new markets. The collaborations are already feeding locations in Georgia, the Carolinas and Central Florida, reinforcing brand consistency as the chain expands. The move helped Big Dave’s earn the No. 6 spot on Fast Casual’s 2025 Top 100 Movers & Shakers.

Jim Knight argues that modern leaders must balance employee autonomy with structured support to reshape culture, spark innovation, and lift performance. He outlines five practical strategies—shifting from control to collaboration, building trust, equipping teams, granting ownership, and phasing autonomy—to make...

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers announced a new Senior Meals line aimed at diners aged 55 and older. The offering includes four core menu items—cheeseburger, crispy chicken sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich, and all‑beef hot dog—each paired with a small side...

Atlanta‑based GoTo Foods, the parent of seven restaurant brands including McAlister’s, Cinnabon and Jamba, announced the appointment of Brett Ubl as chief financial officer and Francisco Bram as chief growth officer. Both executives arrive with deep experience in franchise finance and digital...

The piece warns restaurant operators that chasing "GLP‑1 friendly" labels is a short‑term gamble, citing data that more than half of users discontinue the drugs within a year and that up to 40% of weight loss is lean‑muscle loss. It...

Chris Noffze, director of direct franchising and operations for Gong cha Americas, will speak at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit in San Diego (March 16‑18). In his role, he guides franchisees through onboarding, store openings, and ongoing operations to ensure...

Fast Casual’s new white paper, sponsored by Momos Guest AI, reveals that multi‑location restaurant and retail brands can reclaim up to $28 million annually by revitalizing their lowest‑performing stores. The report highlights that 96 % of unhappy guests never complain, and that...

Houston TX Hot Chicken, a Nashville‑style concept launched in Las Vegas during the COVID‑19 pandemic, now operates 31 units and boasts over 400,000 social‑media followers. The brand’s strong online presence generates organic franchise leads, reducing the need for aggressive sales...

The article positions the restaurant industry as a natural community connector that fuels growth for founders and creates belonging for patrons. By sharing experiences through events like the Founderology Growth Summit, leaders expand perspectives and accelerate progress. February’s calendar of...

Liz Williams, CEO of El Pollo Loco, will speak at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit in San Diego on March 16‑18, 2026. In the interview she outlines her career path from a paper route to leading a national fast‑casual...

French‑inspired bakery‑café La Madeleine reported its strongest expansion pipeline in nearly a decade after a year of operational restructuring under CEO John Dillon. The 2025 “Ignite the Joy” plan delivered positive sales, with off‑premise revenue reaching roughly 50% and new...

Jeff's Bagel Run has surpassed the 30‑location milestone, adding four new shops in Madison, Alabama; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rolesville, North Carolina. The fast‑casual brand, founded in Orlando in 2019, leverages scratch‑bakery methods and a recent acquisition of...

Philadelphia‑based Spread Bagelry is opening its 17th store, a 2,800‑square‑foot location in Buckhead, Atlanta, in March. The shop will function both as a retail outlet and a production hub, supplying fresh bagels to future sites across Georgia and the Carolinas....

QR codes are emerging as low‑cost, trackable tools for restaurant catering growth. Kelly Grogan outlines five intentional placements— in‑store contests, bag stuffer flyers, local leave‑behinds, catering order collateral, and thank‑you cards— each designed to capture leads and drive repeat business....