Speaker Spotlight: Claudia Lezcano, Fuku CEO

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Claudia Lezcano, CEO of Fuku, shares a look at her career, her achievements and industry trends ahead of her appearance at Fast Casual Executive Summit 2025.

Celebrating the 2025 Fast Casual Hall of Fame inductees

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Registration is open!

Farrelli's Pizza celebrates 30 years with anniversary celebration at Cheney Stadium

August 20, 2025

Farrelli's Pizza, a staple in the Pacific Northwest, celebrated its 30th anniversary on Monday, Aug. 11 with a party at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma. More than…

From Maine to Milan: The global journey of Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls

How do you take a Maine lobster roll and build a brand that stretches from the East Coast to the heart of Milan, Italy? That’s the kind of breakthrough story…

Marco's Pizza opens more than 40 stores in first half of 2025

August 13, 2025

Marco's Pizza marked a strong first half of 2025 with 41 store openings. The brand said in a press release that it is poised for a 28% year-over-year increase…

Donatos Pizza to expand in Virginia, Maryland, Georgia

August 13, 2025

Donatos Pizza continues its franchise growth throughout the DMV area (DC, Mayland and Virginia) as well as the Atlanta metro area, according to a press release.

How Saroki's Crispy Chicken & Pizza pairs great food, service with mega pavilions

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Saroki's Crispy Chicken & Pizza proves that gas station food can be great. Lead by brothers Todd and Curtis Saroki, the brand has 19 locations in mega gas…

1st co-branded Round Table Pizza, Fatburger opens in California

August 11, 2025

FAT Brands Inc., parent company of 18 restaurant concepts, has opened its first co-branded Fatburger and Round Table Pizza in Rancho Cordova, California…

How AI turning labor from cost center into growth driver for QSRs

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

In a free webinar titled "Labor Forecasting 2.0: Predicting Future Demand and Staffing for Efficient Growth with AI" viewers will learn how AI is powering…

Happy Joe's permanently reduces prices on top 2 pizzas

August 8, 2025

While other pizzerias have raised prices due to inflation and rising costs, Iowa-based Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream, based in Iowa, is permanently…

Speaker Spotlight: Filippo Fiori, Due Cucini Italiana head chef, CEO

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, Connect Media

From Italy to China to the U.S., Filippo Fiori has gained a lot of wisdom from his travels, which he plans to share at the Fast Casual Executive Summit.

The fixer-upper franchisee: How Chris Patel turned neglected Papa Johns locations into a 70-store powerhouse

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

An entrepreneur with a background in finance leveraged his business acumen and a keen eye for opportunity to grow his Papa Johns franchise from four to 7…

California Pizza Kitchen offering $10 Pizza Days

August 5, 2025

California Pizza Kitchen is offering $10 Pizza Days on Mondays and Tuesdays, offering guests four of its best-selling hand-crafted pizzas for only $10 each…

Yum Brands misses earnings mark, Pizza Hut, KFC struggling in U.S.

August 5, 2025

Yum Brands has missed the mark on its Q2 earnings for the period ended June 30.

How Slutty Vegan Founder turned $20M in debt into a $100M comeback

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

In this episode of "Founderology – Built to Breakthrough," Pinky Cole Hayes shares her “PhD. lessons” and mindset that fueled her comeback.

Modern Food Compliance for Restaurants Made Easy

Label smarter, serve safer, and improve efficiency with linerless label solutions.

Presented by Star Micronics America

A taste of home: the 40-year legacy of Figaro's Italian Pizza

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

After more than 40 years, Figaro's Italian Pizza continues to thrive as a nostalgic, small-town pizza franchise because of its innovative "We Bake or You Bake…

Peter Piper Pizza gives away 99 birthday parties in 3 cities

July 29, 2025

Peter Piper Pizza is giving away 99 birthday parties in Phoenix, Tucson and Albuquerque in an online sweepstakes to honor the month of August, the month with…

Nominations now open for Pizza Marketplace's 'Pizza Brands to Watch 2026' report

July 25, 2025

Pizza Marketplace's annual Pizza Brands to Watch 2026 report will highlight pizza brands of note. The nomination deadline is August 15.

Speaker Spotlight: Andy Huang, VP/COO, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

Andy Huang, VP/COO, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue is one of dozens of panelists participating in the upcoming Fast Casual Executive Summit.