Papa Johns franchisee becomes mogul in his own franchise

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Nadeem Bajwa began his Papa Johns career as a delivery driver. Today, he owns 192 franchises and has his sights set on 500.

Dave's Hot Chicken named FastCasual's Top 100 Mover & Shaker

2023 is the year of the chicken chain.

Palo Mesa Pizza brings Neapolitan, Roman, traditional pies to California's Central Coast

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Palo Mesa Pizza fuels the pizza needs of California's Central Coast. The five-unit brand offers traditional pizza, but also Neapolitan and Roman-style.

Italian Disco marries old-school fare with modern flair

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Baltimore's Italian Disco pairs old-school Italian fare with modern cultural flair that makes it a standout on a crowded food scene. With a stellar pizza…

WOWorks, Shipley Do-Nuts, Noodles & Company execs say loyalty programs a must-have

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Panelists Blake Johnson, VP of marketing for Craveworthy Brands, Donna Josephson, CMO of Shiply Do-Nuts, Mark Kreiner, VP of marketing for WOWorks and Stacy…

iRestaurant: Dirty Dough, Sweetberry, CKE Restaurants balance AI with human touch

by Daniel Brown — Editor, Networld Media Group

During this year’s Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit in Miami, Florida, a session of industry experts and operators convened to discuss automation…

Lena's Wood-fired Pizza & Tap prides itself on team members, food quality

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Lena's Wood-fired Pizza & Tap is run by team members who feel like family to its owners. The Alexandria, Virginia-based pizzeria opened in 2017 and has kept…

Brixx Wood Fired Pizza + Craft Bar focuses on house-made ingredients to stand out

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Brixx Wood Fired Pizza + Craft Bar makes the majority of its items in-house. Yes, labor is intensive, but the quality of food is outstanding and sets the brand…

Dirty Dough, Sweetberry, CKE Restaurants share automation tips for success

by Daniel Brown — Editor, Networld Media Group

During this year’s RFIS summit in Miami, Florida, a session of industry experts and operators convened to discuss automation and how to leverage it for success…

ICX Summit celebrates 7th year with September event

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

The Interactive Customer Experience Summit, which is celebrating its seventh year, is a dual event in 2023 featuring the Bank Customer Experience Summit.

Dog Haus, Big Chicken execs talk convenience, consistency, connection

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

In a session at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit hosted by Networld Media Group, Zach Oates, founder and CEO of Ovation, C.J. Ramirez, EVP and…

Ghost kitchens feeding revenue stream for virtual food brands

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The ghost kitchen offers an opportunity for companies already operating a kitchen to expand delivery sales to include 'virtual' food brands. Sisto Perez, of…

BurgerFi, TASK execs discuss cooking up customer loyalty with digital innovation

by Daniel Brown — Editor, Networld Media Group

At the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit in Miami hosted by Networld Media Group, industry thought leaders shared strategies for success and growth…

Coffee outlook: Demand strong despite faltering consumer confidence

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Consumers still want to spend money on coffee, but some product preferences are changing and external macroeconomic factors are concerning.

Executive perspectives: restaurant experts offer advice for operators

by Daniel Brown — Editor, Networld Media Group

Bryce Fluellen shows how Everytable's unique franchising model tackles food insecurity, builds communities and fuels growth/profits; Blaine Hurst of Blaine…

Hiring and retention trouble? Invest in your people!

by Daniel Brown — Editor, Networld Media Group

A panel at Restaurant at the Franchising Innovation Summit discussed issues around hiring/retention and the value of investing in employees in pay, benefits…

Cicis, Marco's, Slice House among top winners of Pizza Marketplace's Top 100 Movers & Shakers

The Top 100 list recognizes 25 executives and 75 brands in a variety of categories, including Top Menu Innovators, Top Tech Innovators, Top Growth Brands, Top…

Garces Group, Ballad Brands, Ideation Hospitality make Buena Onda winner

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

In a keynote address at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit, three restaurant execs discuss launching Buena Onda, which now has five locations.

Food Truck Operator names 'Food Trucks to Watch’ in 2023

The first-ever edition of Food Truck Operator’s free ‘Food Trucks to Watch in 2023’ report offers an insider look at two dozen food truck operations across the…

Pisa Lisa uses dough as canvas to create masterpieces

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Sedona-based Pisa Lisa is the brainchild of Chef Lisa Dahl. Dahl moved to Sedona for a fresh start and opened several other restaurant concepts before…