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.

Diving deeper: Looking beyond sales for improved restaurant marketing

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, Connect Media

At the Restaurant Marketing Workshop in Boston from June 2 to 3, panelists will discuss how to do a deep dive into your brand's marketing and menu decisions.

HTeaO partners with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for May fundraiser

Iced tea franchise HTeaO is partnering with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation this May to raise funds for childhood cancer research, according to a press…

How The Red Chickz brought true Nashville soul to the West Coast

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Podcast host Mandy Detwiler talks to Shawn Lalehzarian, co-founder of the West Coast Nashville hot chicken brand The Red Chickz about the brand's aesthetic, creative menu and outstanding operations.

4 Reasons your restaurant’s AI initiative will probably fail

by Luke Fryer — CEO & Founder, Harri

To truly succeed in hospitality, AI must move beyond retroactive dashboards and cost-cutting to become a real-time, integrated "operational co-pilot" that empowers managers to proactively solve scheduling, compliance, and demand challenges during the heat of a shift.

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).