How CORE provides financial lifeline for food, beverage workers in crisis

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

This episode of the Restaurant Operator Podcast features CORE’s Jill Chapman, who explains how the growing non-profit provides critical financial assistance to…

Presented by CORE

Part 1: Cool technologies at the NRA Show 2026

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Editor Mandy Wolf Detwiler spent time in the tech pavilion at the National Restaurant Association Show.

The 'people-first' philosophy that turned a broke delivery driver into Domino’s largest U.S. franchisee

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Former delivery driver Brian Bailey scaled his Domino’s franchise from a single New Mexico location into a massive 160-store empire by maintaining a strict…

Blaze Pizza partners with Folds of Honor for Memorial Day fundraiser

May 20, 2026

Blaze Pizza will donate $1 from every 11-inch pizza sold at participating U.S. locations on May 25 to support military and first responder families, according…

The success formula that took Everbowl from 1 to 400 locations

I sat down with Jeff Fenster, who built five eight- to nine-figure companies, exited three, and grew Everbowl to more than 100 open locations with almost 40…

The Power of Financial Planning, Financial Visibility leads to business sustainability

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

To achieve sustainable growth and avoid the "stuck zone," Founders must overcome the emotional avoidance of their financials by owning their P&L, hiring expert…

Crypto exchange Bybit launches limited pizza reimbursement campaign

May 18, 2026

Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has launched a promotion for BTC Pizza Day, offering a $20 reimbursement to a limited number of customers who use a Bybit Card to…

Off-premise blitz: Turning pandemic survival tactics into long-term growth engines

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Industry leaders at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit highlighted how the shift from convenience to a permanent off-premise model requires a…

Ovation, Tap leaders share tips on crafting a guest feedback strategy

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

A panel talk at the upcoming Restaurant Marketing Workshop will deliver insight on not only getting a guest feedback approach up and running but tips and…

Hungry Howie’s to implement Toast technology suite across national footprint

May 13, 2026

Hungry Howie's has selected Toast's enterprise technology suite and will deploy it across the pizza chain's approximately 500 restaurant locations, according…

Mellow Mushroom VP shares secrets to long-term franchise success

In this episode of the Pizza Marketplace podcast, Mellow Mushroom VP of Franchise Development Jamie Cecil discusses the brand's 50-year history of "unicorn…

Rice and Noodle Selects SynergySuite to Power Operations and Fuel Franchise Expansion Across Canada

SynergySuite has partnered with Rice and Noodle to streamline operations and support franchise growth across Canada. The restaurant brand will leverage…

The Power of One Direction: one of the most important and underutilized factors of greatness

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

The "Power of One Direction" is a leadership discipline where Founders transition from keeping strategies in their heads to creating a written plan, providing…

Peter Piper Pizza targets inflation with return of Summer Pass

May 11, 2026

Peter Piper Pizza has brought back its Summer Pass program through Aug. 2, 2026, offering unlimited visits and daily game play to families in Arizona and New…

From scribbles to savings: Why precision labeling is the new profit protector

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Star Micronics is showcasing its versatile mC-Label series at the National Restaurant Association Show this weekend, highlighting how high-precision labeling…

Presented by Star Micronics America

Piesanos evolves dining experience with custom-built Middleton site in Florida

May 11, 2026

Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza will open a location in Middleton, Florida, debuting a custom-built design intended to modernize the brand's dining experience…

Papa Johns maintains 2026 outlook despite 6.4% North America sales drop

May 8, 2026

Papa John's International Inc. reported a decline in first-quarter profit and North American sales this week, as the pizza chain struggled with a cautious…

Pizza Inn franchisee shares leadership insights, advice on growing a franchise

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Dion Firooznia transitioned from a 40-year career in corporate restaurant leadership to become an award-winning Pizza Inn franchisee, leveraging multi-unit…

Papa Johns, Disney team up for global 'Toy Story 5' marketing campaign

May 6, 2026

Papa Johns has partnered with Disney and Pixar to celebrate the upcoming release of "Toy Story 5," which arrives in theaters June 19, according to a press…

How R&R Brands scaled from a single brand to a multi-brand platform

I sat down with Scott Taylor, Founder and CEO of R&R Brands, a visionary and an industry icon whose fingerprints are on some of the most important…