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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 -
hapabapa via Getty Images
Why Jollibee is planning a US IPO for its international business
The company will maintain its Philippine operations and stock listing, but will create a separate public company to oversee its global footprint.
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Courtesy of Dutch Bros
Dutch Bros hires Taco Bell, Cava vet as chief shops officer
Jennifer Somers will oversee the company’s field organization and shop operations as it works toward opening 1,000 more units by 2029.
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Courtesy of Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A adds floats, frosted sodas to permanent menu
Mixing the brand’s soft serve with sodas gives Chick-fil-A an easy way to add new beverage platforms without increased complexity or equipment costs.
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Courtesy of Dave's Hot Chicken
Dave’s Hot Chicken promotes COO to CEO
Jim Bitticks succeeds Bill Phelps, who helmed the brand since 2019, and will continue to grow the chain that has nearly doubled its unit count since 2024.
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Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks links with MrBeast to fuel Prime Video competition series
The coffee chain will appear in season two of “Beast Games” and offer a limited-edition drink in a bid to the popular creator’s younger fan base.
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Permission granted by Twin Peaks
Twin Hospitality Group appoints Andy Wiederhorn as CEO
The company terminated Kim Boerema as CEO in late December after over six months in the position.
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Andrew Burton via Getty Images
Sprinkles Cupcakes shutters all company-owned bakeries
Company founder Candace Nelson, who sold the chain in 2012 to private equity, shared in an Instagram video that these locations closed on Dec. 31.
Updated Jan. 1, 2026 -
Retrieved from IHOP on December 23, 2025
Why IHOP flipped a fantasy football punishment into bottomless pancakes
President Lawrence Kim explains why the breakfast chain tapped into fantasy football culture as part of its latest value-focused play.
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Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Why Krispy Kreme’s Japan sale deal is key to its turnaround plan
The $65 million transaction is the latest in a series of asset sales by the doughnut brand meant to shave down over $900 million in long-term debt.
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RapidEye via Getty Images
How restaurants are navigating tariff-related costs this holiday season
Operators are getting creative when crafting menus, setting prices, scheduling staff, and finding new revenue amid surging expenses exacerbated by tariffs.
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Permission granted by Firehouse Subs
Bolla Market opens first of several Firehouse Subs
The sandwich shop debuted on Nov. 15 at a Bolla Market in Hicksville, New York. Another in Farmingdale is expected for the end of January.
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Potbelly focuses on growth under RaceTrac
Putting a Potbelly in every RaceTrac location isn’t on the agenda, but c-store adjacent locations could become part of the sandwich chain’s expansion plans.
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Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Starbucks hires technology chief from Amazon
Anand Varadarajan brings nearly two decades of retail technology experience to the coffee giant, which is working to implement customer-centric solutions.
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Courtesy of Sweetgreen
4 restaurant menu strategy fails in 2025
From french fries that clogged up core operations to unprofitable doughnuts, national chains tried and abandoned a wide range of menu tactics to woo diners in 2025.
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Courtesy of Mixue
China’s popular Mixue boba shop launches in US
The brand, which offers low-priced boba tea drinks, opened its first U.S. location in Los Angeles and plans to open more in New York shortly.
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Courtesy of Olive Garden
Olive Garden drives sales growth with delivery, smaller portions
The Italian chain will accelerate the rollout of a lower-priced menu, which features seven existing items in reduced sizes, after receiving positive consumer feedback over affordability.
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Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle adds protein snack cups
The fast casual giant framed the new items, which offer four-ounce portions of meat for about $4, as both a health and value play.
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Permission granted by 7 Brew
7 Brew hires RBI exec as CFO
Matthew Dunnigan will help the rapidly growing drive-thru coffee chain during its next phase of growth now that it has surpassed 500 units.
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Scott Olson via Getty Images
Sweetgreen cofounder exits beleaguered brand
Nathaniel Ru, Sweetgreen’s chief brand officer, is retiring after a bruising year for the fast casual chain.
Updated Dec. 17, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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.
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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.
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Brett Dworski/Restaurant Dive
ColumnFueling 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.
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Permission granted by California Pizza Kitchen
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.
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Courtesy of Dunkin'
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.
