The Latest

  • An image of a man leaving a Chipotle. He is holding a brown bag.
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    Getty Images
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    Tracking the same-store sales of 24 major restaurant chains

    Q3 2025 saw more evidence of a casual dining resurgence, as fast casual sales continued to slow and QSRs posted divergent results.

    Updated Dec. 1, 2025
  • A photograph of a yellow sign with Denny's in red.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Top M&A restaurant deals of 2025

    From Potbelly and Denny’s going private to franchisees buying Del Taco and Uncle Julio’s, restaurant consolidation increased this year and could continue into 2026.

    M&A
  • A DoorDash delivery worker walks his bike along the road in the Mission neighborhood of San Francisco, California.
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    Getty Images
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    DoorDash tests AI-powered restaurant discovery app

    The delivery giant’s technology chief said Zesty, now in testing in New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area, improves local restaurant visibility.

  • 7-Eleven
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    Brett Dworski/Restaurant Dive
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    Column

    Fueling Up: How foodservice and QSRs can reshape c-store labor in 2026

    Hiring and retaining good workers has become an intractable challenge for the industry. Building first-class food programs could help retailers finally break through.

  • An image of a light brown building with a small tree out front that lost its leaves. The signage says California Pizza Kitchen.
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    Permission granted by California Pizza Kitchen
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    California Pizza Kitchen sells itself

    Convive Brands will take over the global operator and master franchisor of the 120-unit pizza chain in a transaction backed by Bain Capital.

    M&A
  • Cups and Munchkins on a Yellow Brick Road
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    Courtesy of Dunkin'
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    Dunkin’ and Starbucks boost traffic with holiday LTOs

    The chains’ successful holiday campaigns show the legacy coffee sector isn’t out of ammunition in a competitive battle with rising stars.

  • A picture of a restaurant interior. Empty tables, white tile, green walls.
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    Courtesy of Perkins
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    Perkins names new brand president

    Matt Carpenter brings decades of restaurant experience from both sides of the franchisee-franchisor divide, and could help Perkins modernize and expand. 

  • A photograph of a gray storefrot with a yellow sign that says Qdoba
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    jetcityimage via Getty Images
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    Doherty adds Qdoba to portfolio, plans 27-unit development

    The agreement with Doherty is part of a spate of agreements by Qdoba that will result in 90 new restaurants across New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

  • A photograph of a gray sign with a red box inside with white letters that says "Jack" under the box it says "in the box."
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    What’s next for Jack in the Box after its Del Taco sale?

    The burger chain is in “survival” mode as it struggles to pay down debt and get back to basics, one expert said.

    M&A
  • A photo of the exterior of a store in Japan. A sign above the storesays 7-Eleven.
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    Permission granted by Frank Beard
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    Column

    The Road Ahead: What if c-stores don’t need to become QSRs?

    The success of Japan’s convenience stores demonstrates the opportunity in selling food designed for everyday living, not just indulgent moments.

  • Bicycle gig workers congregate on the street with their packs.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    DoorDash, Uber Eats sue NYC over tip prompt rules

    The delivery aggregators allege that New York City’s requirement that they ask consumers to tip drivers before checkout abridges their freedom of speech. 

  • An image of a beige building with signage that says Dickey's Barbecue Pit.
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    J. Michael Jones via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Dickey’s discounting strategy is burning profits, franchisees say

    Marketing tactics like free sandwich cards, frequent loyalty perks and catering discounts made the brand the Bed Bath & Beyond of barbecue, operators say.

  • An image of a group of people holding balloons and launching confetti. They are in front of a white building with a sign that says Chipotle.
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    Permission granted by Chipotle
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    Chipotle opens 4,000th unit

    The chain is over halfway to its goal of operating 7,000 restaurants across the U.S. and Canada, and plans to add more efficient equipment across its system.

  • A Starbucks coffee cup
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    Spencer Platt / Staff via Getty Images
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    Starbucks’ ‘illegal race-based’ DEI at center of Florida AG’s lawsuit

    Starbucks said its hiring practices are “inclusive, fair and competitive, and designed to ensure the strongest candidate for every job, every time.”

  • An image of Buffalo Wild Wings with its to-go branded section
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    Courtesy of Inspire Brands
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    Inspire Brands announces 5 executive shifts

    The restaurant giant is strengthening the leadership of its brands, especially Buffalo Wild Wings Go, its rapidly growing fast casual spin-off.

  • An image of a storefront with a sign that says Pieology Pizzeria.
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    sanfel via Getty Images
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    Pieology files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after turnaround fails

    The fast casual pizza chain said it had a plan to revive dozens of underperforming stores, but investors backed out.

  • An evening image of Marco's Pizza
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    Permission granted by Marco's Pizza
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    Marco’s Pizza hires CFO, CMO

    Bill Schaffler becomes the high-growth pizza chain’s top financial executive while Steve Kennedy will oversee marketing efforts.

  • A person in a suit stands on stage surrounded by a large crowd in the stands.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks’ on-premise experience could stave off coffee competitors

    CEO Brian Niccol said the chain’s emphasis on a coffeehouse atmosphere would result in consumers choosing the chain over “soulless” options.

  • A photograph of a rectanguler sign with a Cracker Barrel logo and its Uncle Herschel mascot
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    marcnorman via Getty Images
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    Cracker Barrel’s traffic slides 7%

    The chain is working to return traffic to positive territory after its rebranding controversy by focusing on food quality, operational efficiencies and connecting better with guests.

  • Taco Bell's $5, $7 and $9 luxe boxes. Each combo meal contains several items, a side and a drink.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Yum Brands: Solo dining, customization are reshaping value strategy

    Chief Marketing Officer Ken Muench said the lack of control and predictability in consumers’ lives is pushing diners toward customized experiences — even when that means passing up a deal.

  • The In-n-Out logo is displayed on the front of an In-n-Out restaurant on October 28, 2021 in Pleasant Hill, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    In-N-Out opens first Tennessee restaurants

    Three locations outside of Nashville will open this week, the first of 35 locations expected across the state.

  • Colin Cochran tells reporters why he thinks Starbucks Workers United will win in Cheektowaga
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    Aneurin E Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    By the numbers: 4 years of Starbucks Workers United

    Years after winning its first election, Starbucks Workers United remains without a contract despite election wins, shopfloor organizing and a national strike.

  • A lighted McDonald's sign at dusk reading 'Extra Value Meals are back.'
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s updates franchising standards over value

    The chain will begin assessing pricing decisions by its operators in January to ensure that the system continues to provide the ideal customer experience. 

  • An image of various menu items with honey barbecue pork from McAlister's Deli.
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    Permission granted by McAlister's Deli/GoTo Foods
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    Inside McAlister’s biggest menu update in years

    The chain added several pork-based core menu items during late summer and is now testing salad and grain bowls, plus starters like dips.

  • An image of a sausage slider and pretzel bites from White Castle
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    Permission granted by White Castle
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    White Castle tests sausage sliders, pretzel bites

    Guests in three markets will help the chain determine if it will add the Cheddar Smoked Sausage Slider and Pretzel Nibblers to its nationwide menu.