Leadership News & Media

Blaze Pizza, Farmer Boys, Mike's Red Tacos, HigherMe experts discuss recruitment, retention

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Industry experts at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit emphasized that sustainable restaurant profitability and successful scaling depend on…

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Turn up the volume: how to use storytelling to build an unstoppable company culture

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Effective storytelling transforms abstract company values into a memorable, emotionally resonant culture by humanizing leadership and providing a narrative…

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How to build a thriving company culture that inspires and engages

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

A strong, intentional company culture drives success by boosting productivity, attracting top talent and fostering an environment where employees feel valued…

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How to knock down blocks, power up your pivot points

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

To break through the "Founder’s pivot point," leaders must transition from micromanagement to scalability by documenting standards, delegating outcomes…

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How to empower employees through autonomy, ownership

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Effective leadership requires balancing autonomy with support to transform organizational culture, drive innovation and boost performance by empowering…

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Building unity through community

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

By fostering shared experiences and intentional connections, the restaurant industry serves as a vital "community connector" that accelerates growth for…

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Supertasters and Cicerones: The sophisticated science behind Regents Pizza’s success

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Driven by the culinary legacy of a "supertaster" chef and a rigorous, 23-level merit-based labor system, Regents Pizza transformed from a twice-failed local…

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Reigniting passion in your team: a blueprint for peak performance

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Cultivating employee passion through purpose, recognition and autonomy is the key to driving superior business performance, innovation and long-term retention…

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Successful and struggling: The Founder paradox no one talks about

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

We explore the "founder's paradox" of being both successful and isolated, ultimately arguing that connecting with a community of peers is the essential…

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Bridging the restaurant coaching gap: LEAD announces leadership events in KC, Dallas

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

As the publisher of FastCasual.com and a proud Kansas Citian, I've always said that some of the best leadership in the restaurant industry is bred right here…

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How to amplify your leadership impact by leading with influence

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Leading with influence focuses on building trust, empathy and a shared vision to inspire teams toward higher engagement and growth, moving beyond traditional…

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Pizza Brands to Watch in 2026

Dominating the landscape is a shift toward “experiential” and “fusion” dining, where classic pepperoni is being challenged by global flavors like…

Presented by PizzaMarketplace.com

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Against the grain: State of Mind Public House differentiates with California style, craft, culture

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

With 23 years of experience, Lars Smith launched State of Mind Public House, a family-owned Bay Area pizzeria with three locations that differentiates itself…

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Riko's Pizza names Carl Bachmann CEO

December 10, 2025

Riko's Pizza has named its president and COO, Carl Bachmann, as its CEO. Bachmann replaces long-time founder and CEO Rico Imbrogno, who is transitioning to the…

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Why East Village Pizza’s owner is taking his dough recipe from NYC to Dubai

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Frank Kabatas, the owner of East Village Pizza, is taking his New York-style pizzeria — built on a personal journey that started with him being fired as a…

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Exploring link between employee engagement, exceptional customer experiences

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Here's a leadership truth that transcends industries: you can't expect world-class customer experiences from a disengaged team. The energy your people bring to…

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From burgers to 'many pizzas': John Eucalitto's co-branding vision

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

John Eucalitto, owner of Wayback Burgers, launched Molte Pizze, a new multi-brand concept offering diverse pizza styles (New York, Detroit, and tavern-style…

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From café to national movement: Clean Eatz Founders on scaling wellness without losing heart

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Clean Eatz is a franchise co-founded by Don and Evonne Varady that solves the time vs. health dilemma by offering convenient, macro-balanced meals, from…

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How to unlock your inner rock star and inspire your team to greatness

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

True leadership, or "rock star leadership," moves beyond simple task management to inspire teams by leading with energy, passion, authenticity and a commanding…

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How Piesano’s turned a single slice shop into a thriving Florida chain

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

From humble beginnings as a pizza-by-the-slice window near the University of Florida, Piesano’s Stone Fired Pizza has grown into a 15-location Florida chain by…

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