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
  • Two women in colorful winter clothes laugh joyfully outside a café, holding coffee cups. A food hygiene rating sign is visible.
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    Getty Images
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    Sponsored by ZS

    Activating the long tail: A digital-first strategy for SMB customer acquisition

    A smarter way for restaurants to win repeat business from small and midsize companies.

  • 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.

  • Potbelly Sandwich Shop in National Harbor, Maryland, taken by Julie Littman of Restaurant Dive
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    Julie Littman/Restaurant Dive
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    The most impactful c-store foodservice moves of 2025

    While many retailers upped their food capabilities this year, a few investments stood out for their boldness and industry-wide influence.

  • A photo of Washington, DC's city hall.
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    Getty Images
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    DC labor groups want $25 minimum wage and to kill the tip credit

    Buoyed by the success of Zohran Mamdani and goaded by the revision of Initiative 82, labor organizations in Washington, D.C., are picking a bigger version of a familiar fight. 

  • A photo of the exterior of a building adjacent to gas pumps. A Sign over the door says Mooyah Burgers, Fries, Shakes
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    Permission granted by Mooyah
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    Texas-based burger chain opens first c-store-adjacent site

    Mooyah expects its Michigan location to be the first of many to run alongside gas stations.

  • An image of a building with a sign that says "Sweetgreen."
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    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
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    A market of extremes: How 2026 will impact restaurant winners and losers

    Price compression has intensified competition between restaurant sectors, as executives look back on a bifurcated year.

  • A photograph of various cold brew coffee beverages at Sonic.
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    Permission granted by Sonic
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    Sonic tests cold coffee lineup

    The cold caffeine arms race is pushing Sonic to add everything from plain iced coffee to a soft-serve coffee milkshake to its menu.

  • The Panda Express storefront in Hell's Kitchen, New York City.
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    "Hells Kitchen, NYC" by Ajay Suresh is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Panda Express to pay $1M in California carbon dioxide settlement

    A lawsuit in Riverside County alleged the brand failed to adequately train staff in handling potentially hazardous materials related to soda fountains.

  • An image of a brick building with red Chick-fil-A signage
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Chick-fil-A shifts away from licensed non-traditional model

    The chain will move most of its roughly 400 licensed locations to an owner-operator model, allowing guests to access its app and loyalty program.

  • A bright pink restaurant interior with big digital display signs.
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    KFC’s Saucy to open 3 more units

    The expansion signals Yum Brands sees the drinks- and tenders-focused concept as an important part of its KFC turnaround.

  • A photograph of a person in a button down shirt smiling at the camera.
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    Courtesy of Velvet Taco
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    Velvet Taco hires former Starbucks exec as CEO

    Chris Schultz joins the chain after serving as CEO at Voodoo Doughnut and will oversee the 50-unit fast casual brand’s expansion into new markets.

  • An image of a Twin Peaks restaurant with wooden exteriors.
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    Permission granted by Twin Peaks
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    Fat Brands’ bank turns up the heat

    The company’s bank declared another $169 million in debt issued by a subsidiary to be payable in full and immediately, escalating its debt problems.

  • An image of while building with a brick facade and a logo that says "Noodles & Company."
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    JHVEPhoto via Getty Images
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    Activist investor takes stake in Noodles & Company

    Galloway Capital Partners acquired a 6% stake in the beleaguered chain, which is seeking strategic alternatives including selling part, or all, of its business.

  • A spread of White Castle's Love Kit offering for Valentine's Day.
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    Courtesy of White Castle
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    White Castle debuts burger kiosk at Boston Logan Airport

    The automated kiosk gives the chain, which has long embraced new technologies, a toehold in New England with which to build brand awareness.

    Updated Dec. 3, 2025
  • An image of a person smiling at the camera. The person is wearing a suit.
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    Permission granted by GoTo Foods
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    GoTo Foods appoints CEO

    Former Albertsons executive Omer Gajial succeeds Jim Holthouser, who retired on Tuesday after six years as GoTo Foods’ CEO.

    Updated Dec. 2, 2025
  • A person smiles while wearing a gray suit jacker and pink dotted blouse.
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    Courtesy of Jersey Mike's
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    Jersey Mike’s appoints Wyndham exec as CFO

    Michele Allen, who has over 20 years of experience, will be instrumental in guiding the sandwich chain through its next phase of growth.

  • People sit in a coffee shop.
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    Adam Gray via Getty Images
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    Starbucks to pay $39M in New York City labor settlement

    New York City alleged the company violated its Fair Workweek rules upwards of 500,000 times between 2021 and 2024.

    Updated Dec. 3, 2025
  • A large sign that says Texas Roadhouse in front of a blue sky.
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    chapin31 via Getty Images
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    Texas Roadhouse hires Yum Brands vet as CFO

    Mike Lenihan joins the casual dining chain after two years at CKE Restaurants and over 20 years at Yum Brands.

  • Burger King's Spongebob collaboration
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    Burger King’s CMO on how a ‘SpongeBob’ collab cuts across generations

    The partnership follows a summer campaign with “How To Train Your Dragon” that drove the chain’s best kids meal sales in more than a decade.