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…

CEC Entertainment names Chris Monroe EVP, CFO

May 19, 2026

CEC Entertainment, parent company to Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza, has appointed Chris Monroe has EVP and CFO. Monroe has more than 30 years of…

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

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…

The Power of One leadership team: Building a Founder’s leadership team for success

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

May 4, 2026

To scale a business successfully, a founder must transition from being the organization’s primary bottleneck to building a high-level Power of One leadership…

Mellow 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…

7 strategies for creating high-performing culture, building a winning team

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Building a high-performing culture isn't an accident — it's an intentional leadership strategy that prioritizes purpose, trust and empowerment to transform a…

The College of Paisan’s: How one family is carrying on a 40-year dough dynasty

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Over 40 years, the Fejzuloski family has transformed Paisan’s Pizza from a humble Cicero storefront into an eight-location Chicagoland empire by blending…

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…

Yum Brands appoints former Marriott International CFO to Board

April 6, 2026

Yum Brands Inc. has appointed of Kathleen "Leeny" K. Oberg to its Board of Directors. Oberg, the former chief financial officer and executive vice president of…

Measuring the impact of culture change in the workplace

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

To successfully transform company culture, organizations must move beyond mission statements by tracking specific metrics — such as engagement, turnover and…

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…

CEC Entertainment promotes Nathan Hunstable to CIO

February 10, 2026

CEC Entertainment LLC, parent company to Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza, has promoted Nathan Hunstable to VP, information technology and chief…

Little Caesars names Sally Rampersad as director of non-traditional, development services

February 9, 2026

Sally Rampersad has been promoted to director of non-traditional and development services at Little Caesars, according to a press release.

How top franchise brands turn culture into direct profitability

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Industry leaders will gather at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit to share actionable strategies for transforming workplace culture and…

Pizza Nova franchisee believes in quality, consistency, brand culture

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Driven by a lifelong connection to the brand, franchisee Chi-son Phu has successfully grown his Pizza Nova business in Toronto by strictly following the…

Blaze Pizza names John Owen CEO, launches GLP-1 pizza

January 6, 2026

Blaze Pizza has named industry veteran John Owen as its chief executive officer, signaling a push for global expansion and technological innovation.

Mountain Mike’s names Sumi Gosh as president, COO

December 19, 2025

Mountain Mike's Pizza has named Sumi Gosh president and COO. Sumi brings more than 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry, including over 12 years…

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…

Kraft Heinz hires Steve Cahillane as CEO

December 16, 2025

Kraft Heinz has chosen Steve Cahillane, former Kellanoa chief, as CEO come Jan. 1, 2026.