Square

From a 209-square-foot space to 23 locations nationwide, Steak Escape Sandwich Grill has spent the last 40 years perfecting the cheesesteak. Now they're building the tech stack to match. Steak Escape just rolled out Square across their entire franchise network – unifying drive-thru, kiosk, and in-store operations on one unified platform. The result? Real-time visibility. Brand and menu consistency. And a system their frontline teams love using. "We need real, actionable data and franchisor-level visibility every day. Square was built to meet these needs," said Kyle Turner, CEO of Steak Escape. Read all about it here: https://squ.re/steakescape

Incredible honor to have Square named to Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies of 2026 list! 🚀 The innovation that matters most happens in partnership with the businesses we serve. When restaurants can focus on hospitality instead of managing their technology, when franchises scale without losing their soul, when tools enable growth rather than complicating it – that's innovation in action. We're building for what businesses actually need, alongside the millions of sellers that make neighborhood commerce tick. And there’s much more to come 📈 #FCMostInnovative https://lnkd.in/gwnrsA2h

60 years of legacy. 13 locations. 8 days to transform. We're proud to welcome The Pancake Parlour – one of Australia's most iconic hospitality brands – to Square. Since opening their first location in Adelaide in 1965, The Pancake Parlour has become a Melbourne institution, serving generations of families and creating countless memories. Now, as they celebrate 60 years and look ahead to their next chapter, they've chosen Square to power their growth. "We wanted a platform that could support our growth ambitions without compromising who we are," said Steven Babo, Head of Strategy at The Pancake Parlour. "Square is the partner who can deliver on this." Here's to another stack of milestones. 🥞🇦🇺 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gkZs-Sw2

What makes a neighborhood economy thrive? It’s not just successful businesses. It’s the regulars who fill local cafes, boutiques, restaurants, and hidden gems. Our new 2026 Local Economy Report shows that repeat customers don’t only drive loyalty – they create local networks. The data tells a compelling story: 📊 Regular customers generate 6X more revenue than one-time visitors 💡 They tip 11% higher and make predictable purchases that create steady demand 💵 32% of regulars are shared between businesses in the same ZIP code, and each connection can drive thousands in additional annual revenue ☕ Coffee shops and casual dining spots act as neighborhood hubs, funneling customers to nearby retail, beauty, and service businesses The takeaway: when one local business wins, the whole neighborhood can benefit. That’s the neighborhood network effect. Explore the full report and what it means for local sellers → https://lnkd.in/eaMeZbEn

Kelis is chasing the good stuff in NYC. At Miss Lily's Restaurants, Harlem Hops, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, she gets a look at the workflows, systems, and behind-the-scenes work that keep service running smoothly. Coming March 10. Save your spot: https://lnkd.in/gj6yBaTs

For Mara Onichu, the sound of a cash register means something different. At 22, she’s built a life defined by resilience and independence, working at Blind Vendors ’Ohana in Honolulu. What began as uncertainty after losing her sight at age three has grown into confidence, purpose, and community. The register is not just a tool. It’s a reminder of what she’s capable of. We’re honored to share her story, and to have been selected by Blind Vendors Ohana to power their accessible airport retail operations. Meet Mara here: squ.re/ohanavendors

Nearly 1,000 partners, and our business impact is only beginning. Square's partner ecosystem is expanding in 2026. Through the Square App Marketplace, sellers can connect to best-in-class tools so payments, discovery, accounting, and operations stay in sync. It’s open, flexible, and designed for scale, so you can spend less time managing systems and more time running your business. More on our expanded partnerships here: squ.re/partner-ecosystem

The 2 AM question every food and beverage operator asks: "How do I make tomorrow less chaotic?" The answer isn't another system or app. It's community. In our latest Pre-Shift: We Asked conversation with Eater, restaurant, bar, and bakery operators share what actually works: ✅ Operations that scale without breaking ✅ Team culture that survives the rush ✅ Guest experiences that create loyalty These aren't theories. They're battle-tested strategies from operators Anoop Pillarisetti, Zachary Golper, and Tracy Spetka who've been there. Ready to make your next shift smoother? Sign up and join us for the conversation ➡️ https://squ.re/WeAsked

Plot twist: mid-February isn't just for couples. 🌹 We analyzed millions of transactions and discovered something surprising: February 13th (the day BEFORE Valentine's) is when spending actually peaks. Waxing appointments jumped 47%, and “bestie” services are outpacing traditional couple treatments year-over-year. Beauty entrepreneurs, don't miss where the real demand is. What are you seeing in your bookings? Get the full data breakdown ➡️ https://squ.re/galentines

What’s better than one pop-up? Two. During one of the city’s busiest weeks, we doubled down at the Corner Store, hosting a pop-up within a pop-up so guests could sip and shop with Off Season and BIGFACE BRAND. Hundreds of people tried on the exclusive collection in person, grabbed craft drinks, and even custom embroidered their pieces on the spot. Square Handheld kept transactions moving seamlessly throughout the event. Compact, flexible, and built for moments like this, it made it easy to layer retail into an already high-energy space without missing a beat.