The Latest
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Tracking the same-store sales of 21 major restaurant chains
Very few chains — not even Chipotle and Domino’s — were immune from same-store sales slides reported in Q1 2025 as consumers spend less.
Updated May 21, 2025 -
Starbucks shifts to 4-day RTO for corporate employees
Starbucks won’t require individual workers to relocate, but new positions or lateral moves within the company will come with an in-person requirement.
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Retrieved from Naf Naf.
Naf Naf Grill CEO to retire
Grady Metoyer, the brand’s CFO, will step into the interim CEO role following Greg William's retirement.
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Bojangles to install EV charging stations
The QSR chain will begin installation during Q4 2025, and will have stations accessible at many of its locations next year.
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Casual, not careless: The art of relaxed dining design
If casual brands don’t invest in the contemporary, experiential offerings diners crave, they could eventually risk ceding traffic to fast casual competitors.
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Popeyes unveils Signature Sauce, Chicken Dippers
The sauce is served in rounded cups, rather than the chain’s standard rectangular containers, a move resembling Raising Cane’s and Dave’s Hot Chicken’s sauce strategy.
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Potbelly updates website, app as part of digital transformation
These digital channels will include a reorder function and “Quick Add” option for a faster checkout experience.
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Smoothie King secures private equity investment
Fresh funds from Main Post Partners could give the chain a leg up in its battle against Tropical Smoothie Cafe for segment leadership.
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Taco Cabana joins the refreshers trend with new drink lineup
Cabana Refreshers will launch on July 23 starting as a limited-time offer, but could become a permanent beverage if proven popular.
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What restaurants can learn from c-store’s sweet treat offerings
Owning their own baked goods or ice cream program gives retailers a world of innovation to play with, but comes with significant challenges, experts say.
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Why Jack in the Box’s poison pill was the right move
The chain wants to protect itself from a hostile takeover, and the limited-duration act is unlikely to impact shareholders, lawyer Keith Gottfried said.
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Little bites, big ideas: Rethinking kids’ menus for today’s tiny diners
Winning menus go beyond chicken fingers and hot dogs, chefs say, to offer customizable, healthy and globally inspired fare.
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Taim launches franchising in challenge to Cava
The 14-unit fast casual brand sees an opening for a franchised chain to grow aggressively in the Mediterranean segment.
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Wagamama hires Bloomin’ vet to oversee US development
Suk Singh will serve as chief development officer for the U.K.-based chain’s U.S. division, with plans to grow Wagamama beyond its seven-unit toehold.
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Wendy’s CEO departs for Hershey
Kirk Tanner, who has led the company for about a year and a half, will resign from the chain to become president and CEO at the candy giant.
Updated July 8, 2025 -
Wienerschnitzel targets East Coast with Virginia franchising deal
Combined with a Walmart expansion agreement, the entry into these territories positions the 340-store hot dog chain for significant growth.
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Packaging suppliers respond to QSR diners hungry for a better experience
Manufacturers are working with their restaurant customers to improve takeout, as well as sustainability opportunities for food service ware.
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Starbucks incentivizes cost-cutting goal with exec bonuses
The coffee giant will give top executives up to $6 million in stock grants if the brand meets cost-reduction goals by the end of fiscal 2027.
Updated July 8, 2025 -
Opinion
Two lanes for AI-powered order taking in drive-thrus: Humanization vs. transparency
While mimicking a human voice can lead to more emotionally engaging guest interactions, the stakes are higher for brands, with robotic-sounding voices offering greater transparency, says Hi Auto’s Eyal Shapira.
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Krispy Kreme appoints CFO, chief brand officer
The new executives replace outgoing leaders who announced their departures shortly after Krispy Kreme ended its McDonald’s partnership.
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Olo sells itself for $2B
The tech firm, which went public in 2021, will now become a private company following this transaction.
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Undocumented workers say Cheesecake Factory recruited them, furnished fake work papers
The five employees alleged in a lawsuit that the business forced them to work unpaid hours, denied them breaks and more.
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Jack in the Box prescribes poison pill to sicken activist investor
The action is meant to keep Biglari Capital, which owns a 9.9% stake in the chain, from acquiring additional shares and to give Jack more time to turn around its business.
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Fatburger signs 40-store Florida expansion deal
This agreement will make the state a major market for the burger QSR, which has been growing through international deals and co-branding.
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Restaurant groups split over No Tax on Tips until 2028
The Senate passed a tax and spending deal that will exempt up to $25,000 in cash tips annually from federal income tax for some service workers.