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.
read nowMore Event NewsMellow 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.
read nowMore FeaturesBuilt 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.
read nowMore CommentaryHow 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.
listen nowMore PodcastsDomino's profits fall as consumers curb spending based on rising costs
by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media
Domino's Pizza Inc. reported a decline in first-quarter net income, as investment losses outweighed gains from higher U.S. sales.
read nowMore News2026 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.








