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
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    Courtesy of Popeyes
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    Large Popeyes franchisee files for Chapter 11

    Sailormen, which operates 136 units across Florida and Georgia, faced growing losses and sales declines within the past 12 months amid high inflation and increased borrowing rates.

  • Backs of bike couriers with Uber Eats bags.
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    Tomohiro Ohsumi / Stringer via Getty Images
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    California law gives food delivery customers right to talk to a human

    The legislation puts guardrails around how food delivery companies handle service issues and to what extent it can rely on automation.

  • A photograph of a burger, fries and drink on a table with a neon sign of a cowboy in the background.
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    Courtesy of Five Guys
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    Five Guys opens Las Vegas restaurant with full bar

    The 10,000-square-foot location offers all-day breakfast and a beverage menu that includes beer, wine, frozen cocktails and specialty alcoholic drinks.

  • The exterior of a Del Taco during the evening
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    Permission granted by Del Taco
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    Del Taco owner appoints slate of execs amid turnaround

    Yadav Enterprises hired a CMO and a supply chain executive and created a chief transformation role as it prepares to improve Del Taco’s operations.

  • A photograph of various hamburgers and nuggets from Wendy’s.
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    Courtesy of Wendy’s
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    Wendy’s expands value menu with Biggie Deals

    The menu offers combos at a $4, $6 and $8 price points and builds off of its Biggie Bag by allowing for more customization.

  • A zoomed in image of Dutch Bros building signage
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    Courtesy of Dutch Bros
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    Dutch Bros acquires 20-unit coffee chain

    In its first-ever acquisition, the fast-growing drive-thru chain will convert all Clutch Coffee units across the Carolinas into Dutch Bros locations.

    M&A
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    Permission granted by BrakeTime Corner Market
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    BrakeTime inks franchise agreement with Burger King

    The rollout will begin in Illinois and Texas, according to Vice President of Food, Dispensed Beverage and QSR Rene Da Costa.

  • A view of a Taco Bell restaurant on February 06, 2025 in Dublin, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Taco Bell aims for memorable, not frictionless, experiences

    Fast, easy experiences are part of good CX, but they aren’t the most important ingredient, Taco Bell’s Dane Mathews said at NRF.

  • A photo of the outside of a Wingstop.
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    Courtesy of Wingstop
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    Wingstop appoints first COO in over 3 years

    Rajneesh Kapoor, who was promoted from president of international, succeeds Michael Skipworth and will oversee franchise and company-owned development.

  • A close up image of a red sign that says Fatburger
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    Wirestock via Getty Images
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    Inside Fat Brands’ ‘complicated’ debt situation

    The Twin Peaks owner continues to negotiate with lenders, but with five loans and various creditors, CEO Andy Wiederhorn said it has been difficult to refinance and restructure.

  • 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 brand chief Chris Brandt steps down

    The award-winning executive led marketing for the fast casual chain for nearly eight years.

  • A stock image of catered food in chafing dishes.
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    Getty Images
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    QSR catering is big business, but it’s not takeout, experts say

    “With catering customers, you only get one shot,” said Mike Smith, chief brand officer of Moe’s Southwest Grill. “Either you invest in all the things it takes, or you stay out of the business.”

  • An image of various burritos and other items from Taco Bell.
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    Permission granted by Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell expands new value menu nationwide

    The brand’s Luxe lineup, which features 10 items priced at $3 or less, contains a mix of classics and new items aimed at budget-conscious consumers. 

  • krispy krunchy chicken
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    Retrieved from Krispy Krunchy Chicken.
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    How innovation is fueling the fried chicken wars at c-stores

    There’s huge demand for fried chicken menu items in the U.S. But standing out requires c-stores and QSRs to diversify their menus and make it easier for employees to execute.

  • A person stands in front of a Cava logo with hands crossed.
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava hires Texas Roadhouse vet as COO

    Doug Thompson, who spent over 20 years at the steakhouse chain, will oversee operations and build leadership teams as Cava targets 1,000 units.

  • An image of TGI Fridays signage with red and white stripes
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    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
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    TGI Fridays targets 1K units, $2B revenue by 2030

    The once-bankrupt chain will focus on global growth, improving franchisee profitability and boosting the guest experience as part of a new strategic vision.

  • An image of two red boxes. The one on the right has wrapped burgers while the box on the left has various toppings like lettuce, pickes and tommatoes.
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    Permission granted by Five Guys
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    Five Guys expands catering through ezCater

    Employers can order packages from small group bundles to large build-your-own bars from the burger chain across 800 locations nationwide.

  • Fight for 15 protestors demand $15 an hour minimum wage in Washington, D.C.
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    Minimum wage increases hit 19 states in 2026

    A number of states crossed the $15-per-hour threshold that’s long been used as a rallying cry among worker advocates.

  • A burger, a soda and a basket of chips.
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    Courtesy of Chili's
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    Restaurant winners and losers in 2025

    Chili’s, coffee brands and Taco Bell did well, while fast casual chains struggled and Sweetgreen saw its worst year as a public firm.

  • A sign that says "Since 1956 Jersey Miek's Subs"
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jersey Mike’s to open 400 units across UK, Ireland

    The first restaurant will open in 2026, marking the sandwich chain's European debut.

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    Opinion

    January reset: Turning the post-holiday slowdown into strategic growth

    Savvy operators can stop revenue bleed and convert downtime into training time, writes Toast’s Julie Powell.

  • A person wearing black pours coffee into a white mug inside a restaurant. There is another person sitting at the table with her back to the camera.
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    Permission granted by First Watch
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    Toast, Clover battle for small eateries

    The two payments processors have the biggest market shares with respect to smaller restaurants, according to a new report from the financial firm Baird.

  • An image of back-of-house workers preparing meals in a kitchen. Their faces are blurred
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    Hispanolistic via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    6 restaurant trends to watch in 2026

    Restaurants may face cost savings challenges and sales declines amid  continued supply chain disruptions, but can leverage consumer demand for cheaper menu items and experiential meals to stand out.

  • A person stands in front of a blurred background. The person is wearing a blue suit.
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    Permission granted by White Castle
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    White Castle appoints CMO

    Jamie Richardson has worked at the chain for nearly 30 years and succeeds Lynn Blashford, who is retiring.