Taco John's CEO talks balancing innovation with brand's rich history

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Heather Neary, president and CEO of legacy brand Taco John's, chats with podcast host Mandy Detwiler about balancing the brand's history with the innovation…

Tapping data to drive personalized guest experiences in the restaurant

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

Top restaurant leaders will share insight on how to leverage data analytics and loyalty programs to deliver personalized experiences at the upcoming Fast…

5 reasons to use a single equipment supplier for new restaurant openings

Opening a new restaurant can be a chaotic process, but using a single equipment supplier can offer much-needed stability.

Jeff's Bagel Run founder says training key to franchisee success

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

In this episode of the Restaurant Operator Podcast, Mandy Detwiler, editor of Pizza Marketplace and QSRweb, chats with Jeff's Bagel Run founder Jeff Perera.

Presented by Jeff's Bagel Run

How Big Chicken Is Using Guest Feedback to Fuel Franchise Growth

Big Chicken uses Ovation to identify system-wide issues and improve the guest experience across its growing franchise network. By catching trends like missing…

Presented by Ovation Up, Inc.

Crazy Pita: From $30 to scaling a legacy

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

This week on Founderology – Built to Breaktrough, I sat down with Mehdi Zarhloul, the powerhouse Founder of Crazy Pita, Chicken Genius and Salad Madness. His…

&pizza CEO doubles down on franchising efforts, increasing growth

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

&pizza CEO Mike Burns discusses how the brand lost its identity, found it again and began franchising.

Haven Hot Chicken founders find room for Nashville hot chicken brand

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Haven Hot Chicken has gone from four stores to nine in just 10 months. Learn how the Connecticut-based brand is growing from its co-founders in our latest…

How Via 313 Pizzeria Doubled Down on Guest Recovery and Operational Excellence With Ovation

Via 313 Pizzeria, a fast-growing Detroit-style pizza brand with 20+ locations, needed deeper insights into guest sentiment and a faster way to recover unhappy…

Presented by Ovation Up, Inc.

Donatos Pizza president, CEO wants it to be the household name in pizza

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Donatos Pizza president and CEO Kevin King talks about his career in the pizza industry and what makes his brand a leader in the category amidst rising pizza…

Guest retention key to restaurant profitability

April 7, 2025

Traditional methods for identifying issues affecting retention, such as delayed surveys with low response rates, potentially biased table visits, and…

Maximizing Guest Retention

Unfortunately, when it comes to identifying issues that affect guest retention, traditional survey methods in restaurants often fall short. So how can…

Presented by Ovation Up, Inc.

Salad House, Barcelona Restaurant Group, Knuckies Hoagies execs talk tech, talent acquisition, retention

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

A panel at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit highlighted the importance of balancing technology with human interaction in hiring and retaining…

Your Restaurant’s Not Perfect and Why That’s a Good Thing: Harnessing The Hidden Value of Guest Recovery

In this webinar, Zack Oates will dive into the hidden value of guest recovery, exploring how restaurants can turn negative experiences into opportunities for…

Presented by Ovation Up, Inc.

Jollibee North America president says company is ready for next-level growth

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

At the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit in Myrtle Beach, Maribeth dela Cruz, president North America for QSR chicken brand Jollibee, said the brand…

Stoner's Pizza Joint CEO talks economy, that kitschy name

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Stoner's Pizza Joint CEO John Stetson talks to podcast host Mandy Detwiler about weathering the economy, competing in a saturated market and that eponymous…

Do you know what part of your marketing spend is actually working?

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

A panel at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit in Myrtle Beach will look at how brands are wasting their marketing money and how to get the most out…

Clutch Coffee co-founder offers secrets to competing in saturated market

Restaurant Operator Podcast host Mandy Detwiler learns secrets to competing in a saturated coffee market with Darren Spicer, co-founder of Clutch Coffee.

How Earthbar 70X'd Their Feedback Volume

Earthbar, a California-based health and wellness brand with 40 locations, transformed its guest feedback process using Ovation. Previously reliant on a single…

Presented by Ovation Up, Inc.

Speaker Spotlight: Jeff Todd, Launch Entertainment

Jeff Todd, chief development officer for Launch Entertainment, shares a look at his career, his achievements and industry trends ahead of his appearance at…