Happy Friday! Here's what's on tap for this issue:

• From military vet to Camp Bow Wow franchisee
• Teamwork counts in military, business success
• Family-first bleisure reshapes business travel

Taco Bell is introducing fire-roasted poblano peppers to its menu for the first time, in the limited-time Steak & Poblano Rolled Quesadilla. The new menu item, which debuts nationwide on Nov. 20, combines marinated steak, fire-roasted poblanos, spicy ranch sauce and melted cheese in a rolled quesadilla that's portable to feed on-the-go customers.

Frank Wetegrove, who spent 33 years in the Army and Army Reserve, is now a franchisee for Camp Bow Wow with five units. "Franchising provided that same sense of order and purpose, just in a civilian setting," Wetegrove says. "It allowed me to channel my leadership and operational experience into something that still had a proven framework but gave me the freedom to build my own team."

Effective leadership requires self-editing, a skill that involves self-control, adaptability and continuous improvement, according to Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, the chief science officer at Russell Reynolds Associates. Self-editing helps leaders create psychological safety, manage complex challenges and evolve beyond their natural tendencies, Chamorro-Premuzic writes.

Spending time in the National Guard emphasized the value of teamwork for Paul Jones, who has been a Little Caesars franchisee for 24 years and now has six locations. "My advice to fellow veterans is simple: trust in the skills you've developed during your service," Jones writes. "Discipline, resilience, and the ability to adapt are qualities that make veterans uniquely positioned to succeed in franchising."

-- Courtney Smith, vice president of operations at Grumpy's

Food and beverage revenue has emerged as a key growth driver for US hotels in 2025. During the first half of the year, F&B revenue per occupied room grew by 3.8%, outpacing the 3% increase in overall hotel revenue. This growth has been fueled by investments in creative dining concepts, revitalized venues and a focus on both in-house and external patrons. Hotels have been able to increase F&B prices due to improved offerings and enhanced guest engagement.

Bleisure travel has seen a notable increase of over 25% in recent years, fueled by the rise of remote and hybrid work. This trend is evolving into "family-first bleisure travel," where business travelers bring their families along, turning work trips into memorable family experiences. Hotels and resorts are responding by expanding amenities, providing high-speed Wi-Fi and integrating wellness programs, ensuring that business travelers can balance work commitments with leisure experiences. The Sanctuary Beach Resort in California and Omni Interlocken in Colorado are examples of destinations catering to this trend.

Step into 2026 with clarity and confidence through IFA's Winter Learning Series -- three sessions designed to strengthen your strategy, streamline your systems, and drive performance where it counts most. Three sessions. One stronger franchise.

Winter Learning Schedule:

• Dec. 18 -- Build the Right Foundation
  Use 2025 industry insights to create a focused, actionable plan.
• Jan. 15 -- Blueprint for a Scalable Franchise Model
  Strengthen your systems to support sustainable, responsible growth.
• Feb. 19 -- Building the Franchise Growth Dashboard: KPIs That Matter
  Identify and track the data that drives real performance improvements.

A new year is coming fast -- make sure you're ready for what's next. Perform at your best in 2026. Enroll today.