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
  • 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.

  • Several screenshots on a smart phone that illustrate Claim, a restaurant loyalty application.
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    Permission granted by Grubhub/Wonder
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    Grubhub parent acquires restaurant rewards app Claim

    The delivery platform will integrate Claim’s technology, which helps restaurants acquire high-value, long-term customers, within its platform later this year.

  • Popeyes signage
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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
  • BrakeTime
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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.