Inside the Founder shift: What 2025 sparked and why 2026 is ready to ignite

As we close out 2025, I keep coming back to one undeniable truth: this year moved fast. Faster than many even realized. Technology accelerated. Consumer expectations evolved. Leadership required more courage, clarity and community than ever before. And through all of it, Founders continued to do what Founders do best — rise.

In our final Founderology podcast episode of the year, Fast Casual Publisher Cherryh Cansler and I sat down to reflect on the moments that mattered, the shifts that shaped us and the momentum carrying us into a breakthrough 2026. Rather than recap every detail, we want to share the themes that stood out — the ones that will inspire every Founder to tune in and move into next year with purpose.

2025: The year Founders took control

This was the year Founders stopped waiting for the industry to stabilize and started rewriting the rules.

Cherryh called 2025 "the year of augmentation" — a season when technology supported people and strengthened their work. We watched Founders use AI, smarter systems and predictive tools not to cut corners but to elevate teams, strengthen operations and reclaim hospitality.

I called it the year of AI or Die — not fear-based, simply factual. The Founders who embraced new tools gained speed, clarity and confidence. The ones who resisted were falling behind faster than ever before.

These were great positions we unpack— real insights from the real front line experiences.

The Founder shift: From doing it alone to growing through community

If one message defined our year, it was this: Founders win bigger when they stop building alone.

We saw it throughout our Founderology Collaboratives, the Founderology podcast and the Founderology Growth Summit community. Founders accelerating forward are partnering, collaborating and reaching new levels of momentum together.

Our conversation highlights how this shift changed the game for every Founder who embraced it and why it matters even more in 2026.

What emerged was powerful:

• A network that grows your net worth.
• A community that accelerates your company.
• A shared language only Founders understand to help each other grow.

Hospitality returned to the center — And it's not going away

Cherryh and I both agreed: the future of restaurants is the experience economy.

Guests aren't choosing based on product or price alone. They are choosing based on their experience — they want and expect great service, food, beverage and an overall experience they value.

We discussed examples of brand reinventions, leadership gaps and the renewed importance of hospitality as a true strategic advantage. This is THE section for any Founder ready to reignite the team or reexamine the guest journey.

Where We're Going in 2026

Cherryh said it best: 2026 is the year technology and humanity work together.

I added that to make it all work it has to be the year to invest in leaders and leadership development — the leaders you have, the leaders you are developing and the next generation of leaders you need to groew.

We also share a few surprises in this episode, including emerging trends and the mindsets we believe will define the next wave of restaurant growth.

Why the Founderology Growth Summit is the ultimate launchpad for 2026

This is one area we will not stop talking about because of the massive value and impact of the Founder to-Founder experience. Our conclusion there is no better way to start your year than with 125 visionary restaurant Founders who share your drive.

This is the room where breakthroughs happen.

This is the room where clarity clicks.

This is the room where Founders stop going it alone.

In the episode, Cherryh and I highlight:

• Why this Summit delivers one of the highest ROIs a Founder can make.
• How the Investo