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…

Speaker Spotlight: Chris Noffze, director of direct franchising and operations, Gong cha

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, ATM Marketplace & Food Truck Operator

In today's Speaker Spotlight, we are highlighting Chris Noffze, director of direct franchising and operations at Gong cha Americas, who will be sharing…

Got marketing chops? Prove it: The 2nd Annual Top 30 Movers & Shakers Nominations are live

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Calling all restaurant marketing visionaries!

Building unity through community

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

By fostering shared experiences and intentional connections, the restaurant industry serves as a vital "community connector" that accelerates growth for…

Speaker Spotlight: Liz Williams, CEO, El Pollo Loco

Liz Williams, CEO of El Pollo Loco, shares a look at her career, her achievements and industry trends ahead of her appearance at the Restaurant Franchising …

Reigniting passion in your team: a blueprint for peak performance

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Cultivating employee passion through purpose, recognition and autonomy is the key to driving superior business performance, innovation and long-term retention…

Pizza vs. Chicken: The ultimate industry 'vibe check' at RFIS

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Executives in the pizza and chicken restaurant fields will answer questions about feedback in a 'Family Feud'-style game at the Restaurant Franchising and…

Successful and struggling: The Founder paradox no one talks about

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

We explore the "founder's paradox" of being both successful and isolated, ultimately arguing that connecting with a community of peers is the essential…

Thriving through uncertainty: the power of resilience in leadership and business

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Resilience is the essential "superpower" for navigating modern uncertainty, serving as a developable skill that enables individuals and organizations to…

Speaker Spotlight: Jeff Perera, co-founder, vice president, Jeff's Bagel Run

Jeff Perera, co-founder and vice president of Jeff's Bagel Run, shares a look at his career, his achievements and industry trends ahead of his appearance at…

From vision to breakthrough: 5 game-changing lessons from the Founderology Podcast

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

The Founderology: Built to Breakthrough podcast shares actionable insights from visionary entrepreneurs, emphasizing that success comes from bold risk-taking…

Founderology Growth Summit honoring inaugural 'Visionary Restaurant Founders'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

To celebrate the spirit of innovation, the Founderology Growth Summit, being held Feb. 2-4 in Austin, will host a special ceremony to honor the "Top 5 Movers …

The countdown is on: 10 ways RFIS will change your life

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Think of this as your official invite to the industry family reunion. Matching shirts not required!

Aloha, Innovation: Why L&L’s Eddie Flores Jr is a must-see at RFIS 2026

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Anyone who knows Eddie knows he brings a witty, frank and refreshingly honest perspective to the table. He's going to talk about the "unconventional…

How to amplify your leadership impact by leading with influence

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Leading with influence focuses on building trust, empathy and a shared vision to inspire teams toward higher engagement and growth, moving beyond traditional…

Speaker Spotlight: Chris Demery, CTO of Blaze Pizza

Chris Demery, CTO of Blaze Pizza, shares a look at his career, his achievements and industry trends ahead of his appearance at the Restaurant Franchising …

Exploring link between employee engagement, exceptional customer experiences

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Here's a leadership truth that transcends industries: you can't expect world-class customer experiences from a disengaged team. The energy your people bring to…

Make your guests count to increase your guest counts

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

The economy is shifting, guests spending is changing, and the marketplace continues to be dynamic. One metric that matters the most in this environment is…

How to unlock your inner rock star and inspire your team to greatness

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

True leadership, or "rock star leadership," moves beyond simple task management to inspire teams by leading with energy, passion, authenticity and a commanding…

Own your financials: 5 metrics that drive business growth

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Gaining strong financial visibility by overcoming common hurdles and focusing on key metrics like sales, COGS, and net operating income is essential for…