EEOC ramps up franchise enforcement, securing settlements and reforms; Applebee’s operator pays $270K amid broader actions across brands.

Entries due June 22 at 11:59 pm. Winners in September 2026. Criteria include investment, sales, support, and franchisee feedback.

Daland Corp. revives classic Pizza Hut dine-in in small towns, fueling emotional pull and sales as Yum weighs a sale and closures reshape the brand.

Creator Jake Shane fronts Panera’s $4.99 Salad Stuffer bundle, linking Mix & Match value to RISE strategy and testing social-led demand.

Krystal elevates Amanda Hyde to COO, advancing a franchisee-first plan with digital menus, remodels, and SPB’s Playbook to drive growth and trust in 2026.

How guest behavior, data, and POS analytics turn table-side discoveries into profitable, scalable menu strategy for restaurants in 2026.

William and Maryjane Ellis ink a six-unit Firehouse Subs deal for San Antonio, backed by incentives, training, and RBI growth plans. First opening in summer 2026.

Grubhub launches embedded ordering across Eater, Beli, Alexa+, and Bilt to capture high-intent moments and drive demand via trusted channels.

52-unit chain launches six sandwiches around $10.95 with up to 39g protein as sandwich market growth outpaces fast casual.

After a strategic slowdown, RealClean expanded from 15 airports in 2 states to 600 across 31 by May 2026, backed by strong unit economics and market demand.