10 Must-Have Restaurant Technology Tools
Discover ten essential technology tools that help restaurant owners streamline operations, control costs, improve accuracy, and support better daily decisions.
Jul 31, 2026
Discover ten essential technology tools that help restaurant owners streamline operations, control costs, improve accuracy, and support better daily decisions.
Jul 31, 2026
Jersey Mike’s $1 billion IPO highlights big ambitions in franchising and international expansion, although shares dipped on debut. Restaurant owners take note - here’s what the move means for growth strategies ahead.
Jul 31, 2026
Every restaurant owner knows the industry is challenging, but failure is rarely caused by a single issue. From labor management and food costs to cash flow and technology decisions, here's what separates struggling restaurants from successful ones.
Jul 31, 2026
Discover how Chipotle’s Recipe for Growth is driving record sales, operational excellence, and digital innovation - insights for every restaurant leader.
Jul 30, 2026
Learn food cost management strategies to control inventory, reduce waste, improve purchasing, standardize portions, optimize pricing, and protect restaurant profits.
Jul 29, 2026
Grow your restaurant's email marketing list using websites, QR codes, loyalty programs, social media, incentives, events, and customer signups effectively.
Jul 29, 2026
DoorDash is changing how it calculates delivery and service fees, with longer-distance orders likely to cost more and shorter, larger orders set to stay the same or decrease.
Jul 29, 2026
Whataburger welcomes financial veteran Ryan Moore as its new CFO, signaling a strategic focus on national expansion and sustainable growth for the iconic brand.
Jul 29, 2026
Improve kitchen ticket times with practical strategies for better preparation, smoother workflows, stronger communication, smarter staffing, and effective restaurant technology.
Jul 27, 2026
PopUp Bagels welcomes industry veteran Mike Smith as Chief Operating Officer to lead their next phase of growth, putting quality and guest experience at the forefront.
Jul 28, 2026
FAT Brands' $595M asset sale marks a seismic shift in the restaurant world. Discover what this landmark bankruptcy outcome means for owners, franchisees, and the future of franchised dining brands.

FAT Brands, once considered a powerhouse of restaurant consolidation, has officially closed an era of aggressive expansion with a headline-making $595 million asset sale. The landmark deal transfers 13 well-known brands - including Fatburger, Johnny Rockets, Round Table Pizza, Great American Cookies, and Marble Slab Creamery - along with over 1,700 global locations, to a lender-backed owner group. For operators, franchisees, and managers, this sets a crucial precedent for the future of multi-brand restaurant groups and signals a new chapter of financial caution across the entire industry.
This sale comes after years of breakneck acquisitions, with FAT Brands at one point owning over 2,200 restaurants worldwide. Their rapid growth depended heavily on securitized debt - amassing $1.5 billion in obligations - before market realities triggered a dramatic bankruptcy. Following a tense Chapter 11 court battle that ended with a full restructuring, major leadership changes, and the departure of CEO Andy Wiederhorn, lenders now control the brand stable. With more than 175 potential buyers approached in a court-supervised auction, it was ultimately the creditors who stepped up, demonstrating the risks - and limits - of highly leveraged rollup strategies.
What does this mean for everyday restaurant operators? Stability and brand direction could shift as lender-backed groups retool business models, marketing strategies, or terms for existing franchisees. The asset sale included franchise staples like Fazoli’s, Pretzelmaker, and Bonanza Steakhouses, as well as supporting facilities - signaling that even legacy concepts are not immune to radical corporate shakeups. Several smaller brands, including Hot Dog on a Stick and Elevation Burger, were sold off to new franchise-focused owners, illustrating both risk and opportunity on the horizon.
The restructuring also spotlights franchise vulnerability and resilience, as seen with Twin Peaks and Smokey Bones. Twin Peaks, a high-performing sports lodge concept, fetched $359.5 million in a separate sale to a franchisee-led group and is now positioned for independent growth. Meanwhile, Smokey Bones was unable to attract buyers and shuttered completely, with some sites transitioning to new concepts - a sobering reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in restaurant franchising.
For restaurant owners and managers, the FAT Brands saga underscores the need for careful debt management, transparent growth strategies, and regular review of franchise agreements. Whether you’re part of an expansive group or operating a standalone concept, market turbulence highlights the importance of proactive planning and due diligence - especially in times of industry volatility.
The FAT Brands shakeup will be watched closely as lenders take the reins and reposition over a dozen established brands. For industry leaders, this moment is both a warning and a springboard - offering fresh reminders to innovate, scrutinize growth, and keep business foundations solid as franchising continues to evolve.