Disposable cameras and raw reactions: Why 'imperfect' social media content is winning in 2026

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Marketing leaders from Via 313, ATL Wing Spot, and Hook + Ladder explain how multi-unit restaurant brands can drive sustained foot traffic in 2026 by balancing AI-driven search optimization with raw, "old-school" authenticity.

Yum Brands takes flight in Q1 as KFC fuels global ascent

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Taco Bell also posted strong first-quarter results, with U.S. same-store sales increasing 8% quarter over quarter and 18% over a two-year period.

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

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…

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 brand-building work of the last two decades. He is also a great friend, past-colleague and dedicated educator too!

5 restaurant marketing mistakes that cost traffic, leads, revenue

by Mike Kresch — VP of Strategy, Moburst

Restaurants often fail to see a return on marketing when they treat it as a series of disconnected efforts rather than a cohesive, data-driven system focused on reputation, local visibility and a frictionless customer journey.

Rethinking Peak Performance in the Digital Restaurant Era

Traditional performance metrics such as ticket time and drive-thru speed measure efficiency but fail to capture the full guest experience. Many organizations detect problems only after they begin affecting customer loyalty. Leading restaurant brands are adopting a new approach: Unified Experience Management® (UXM).