More than a post: Turning influencers into content engines for your restaurant
by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media
At the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit, marketing experts discussed the evolution of influencer marketing from a secondary tactic into a core strategy that prioritizes authentic content creation, micro-influencer relationships and adaptation to the rising impact of AI on search visibility.
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Mellow Mushroom's 'fast fine' format slashes labor costs by 40% but keeps nostalgia
by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media
Mellow Mushroom is evolving its 50-year-old business model with a counter-service format that reduces labor and build-out costs for franchisees while preserving the brand's eclectic soul and signature food quality.
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Built to Breakthrough: The power of one vision
by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners
The Power of One Vision provides restaurant Founders with a strategic framework to transition from "stuck in the middle" to scalable growth by shifting their focus from daily operations toward building a clear, aligned organization designed to scale profitably.
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How The Red Chickz brought true Nashville soul to the West Coast
by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media
Podcast host Mandy Detwiler talks to Shawn Lalehzarian, co-founder of the West Coast Nashville hot chicken brand The Red Chickz about the brand's aesthetic, creative menu and outstanding operations.
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Papa Johns introduces Google Cloud-powered AI ordering tool
Papa Johns has launched Lou AI, a digital assistant integrated into its mobile app designed to automate the process of coordinating group food orders…
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2026 Pizza Marketplace Top 100 Movers & Shakers
This year’s Top 100 honors those who have mastered the "rare beast" of combining high-volume operations with artisanal quality. Whether it’s an independent shop utilizing AI to streamline inventory or a regional chain perfecting the 18-minute carryout window, these Movers & Shakers are the ones defining the future of the American slice.
