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 smiling white woman with a Starbucks cup.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks Rewards moves to a tiered structure

    The chain is not changing the core points-for-dollar mechanism behind its Rewards system, but some consumers will earn points more quickly.

    Updated Jan. 29, 2026
  • A person in a white shirt hold up a stick of meat while a person at a table takes a portion of meat off the stick. Another person is taking a photograph with a smartphone
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    Courtesy of Fogo de Chao
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    Deep Dive

    Casual chains need to prioritize experience to win in 2026

    Restaurant brands that offer affordability alongside a positive guest experience will thrive this year, and customers will keep coming back, experts say.

  • An aerial view of a building with white "Chili'"s sign alongside a red pepper.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    How Chili’s menu innovation is growing its same-store sales

    Brinker CEO Kevin Hochman said upgraded dishes like Skillet Quesos and nachos are driving higher sales than previous iterations.

  • A Torchy's Tacos sign shot from a low angle.
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    Getty Images
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    Torchy’s Tacos will close handful of locations

    The closures signal that restaurant chains are pulling back in once-popular regions, like the South and Southeast, that have become overbuilt.

  • An empty Starbucks redesigned with lots of green and open space.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks’ sales spike on traffic, show turnaround is working

    The coffee giant saw transactions increase among rewards members and non-members, the first time both cohorts saw traffic growth in nearly four years.

  • A nighttime image of a beige building with a sign that says Fatburger open 24 hours.
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    anderm via Getty Images
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    3 reasons Fat Brands filed for Chapter 11

    Beyond its complicated debt situation, economic challenges and ongoing litigation worsened Fat’s financial stability.

  • An image of two pan pizzas in front of a green background. On the right is a green pizza box.
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    Permission granted by Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns debuts Pan Pizza

    The new menu category took years of research and development to perfect and could help the pizza chain compete against segment leader Domino’s.

  • An image of a giant logo that says Applbee's.
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    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
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    How Applebee’s Date Night Pass builds on the chain’s marketing-led success

    CMO Michelle Chin details the return of the fan-favorite offer and the lessons she’s learned in her first few months at the Dine Brands chain.

  • A close up image of a red sign that says Fatburger
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    Wirestock via Getty Images
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    Fat Brands files for Chapter 11

    This move comes months after creditors pushed for it to pay $1.3 billion in debt, and marks the first major restaurant franchisor bankruptcy of 2026.  

    Updated Jan. 27, 2026
  • Several Chipotle items with the brand's version of chicken al pastor.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle bets Chicken al Pastor will bring consumers back

    The fast casual giant is increasing the frequency of its protein LTOs in a bid to drive trial, relevance and traffic. 

  • A close up image of a round red sign that says "Chipotle Mexican Grill."
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    Courtesy of Chipotle/Photograph by Media Wisdom Photography Ltd
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    Chipotle’s new CMO on how the brand’s latest ad meets consumer trends

    “Choices” contrasts daily prep at the fast casual Mexican chain with images of nuggets in fryer baskets and frozen burger patties on a conveyor belt.

  • A person in a white sweater holds a drug injection pen.
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    Getty Images
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    GLP-1 users are still dining out

    Companies like Krispy Kreme, Darden and Fogo de Chao have seen little change in frequency from these guests, and Circana data shows just a 1% dip in orders per trip.

  • An image of a green trailer in front of a Home Depot building. The trailer says "Walhburgers" as well as "burgers, breakfast burritos, shakes ... and more"
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    Permission granted by Wahlburgers
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    Wahlburgers plots expansion at Home Depot, Bass Pro Shops

    The burger chain is building units in airports, retailers and hotels this year, which will help it rebound after Hy-Vee ended its partnership last year.

    Updated Jan. 27, 2026
  • A Potbelly storefront with green decor. A pillar says grand opening.
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    Deep Dive

    Was RaceTrac’s Potbelly deal an anomaly or the start of a new M&A trend?

    C-store operators looking to acquire a QSR brand face several potential risks, experts say. But the upside could be tremendous.

    M&A
  • A photograph of a yellow sign with Denny's in red.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Denny’s CEO Kelli Valade departs

    Valade will leave the chain, which was just sold to a group of private investors, after five years to become the CEO of nonprofit WFF in February.

    Updated Jan. 23, 2026
  • A beige building with a green sign and white lettering that says "Panera Bread."
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Panera pilots points-based rewards program

    The fast casual chain will test its latest iteration of MyPanera at 216 cafes across various markets, with a plan for a nationwide rollout later this year.

  • A Dave's Hot Chicken storefront
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    Courtesy of Dave's Hot Chicken
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    Q&A

    Dave’s Hot Chicken CMO on building on organic growth as brand levels up

    Brandon Rhoten spent years leading creative and social strategy at Wendy’s at a time when the chain rewrote the rules for fast-food advertising.

  • A person holding an order of Taco Bell chicken nuggets, nacho fries and a drink.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell’s Crispy Chicken Nuggets are back

    After a big year for Crispy Chicken products, Taco Bell is continuing to leverage menu items, like nuggets, to drive same-store sales growth.

  • An image of various cold beverages from Taco Bell.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Deep Dive

    Drink up: Restaurants will spend more on beverage innovation in 2026

    Mocktails, energy drinks and premium caffeine options are set to sweep through restaurant menus this year. 

  • An image of a beige building with a logo that says Mr. Gatti's
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    Permission granted by Mr. Gatti's
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    Mr. Gatti’s sold to franchisee

    OneRyan Global, an investment firm that operates two Mr. Gatti’s units, will lead the company into its next phase of growth, including new units in Walmart and c-stores.

  • An image of a corner building with black signage that says Peet's Coffee.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Peet’s Coffee is closing several stores this month

    This reduction comes amid a plan for parent company JDE Peet’s to merge with Keurig DrPepper, and is part of a business alignment focused on long-term growth and current market conditions.

  • Krispy Kreme doughnuts
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    Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Krispy Kreme’s CEO talks profitability, refranchising strategies

    Joshua Charlesworth said the chain’s decision to end its McDonald’s partnership and to refranchise its Japanese shops are part of creating sustainable revenue streams.

  • A smiling white man in a blue suit with no tie.
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    Courtesy of Inspire Brands
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    Shake Shack hires former Sonic leader as chief commercial officer

    Jim Taylor is the latest executive to join the chain, which adapted well to the headwinds in fast casual over the last year.

  • A close up photograph of several bowls with food from Roti Modern Mediterranean
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    Courtesy of Roti Modern Mediterranean
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    Why fast casual chain Roti opened a ghost kitchen

    Brands have pulled back the delivery-only model, but Roti sees it as part of a development strategy that includes non-traditional and franchised growth.