The Latest
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Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Tracking the same-store sales of 23 major restaurant chains
Q2 2026 saw more evidence of a casual dining resurgence, as fast casual sales stabilized and QSRs posted mixed results.
Updated Aug. 27, 2026 -
Permission granted by Rokt
Sponsored by RoktLoyalty programs alone will not solve QSRs’ frequency problem
QSRs can drive repeat visits by making every loyalty interaction more relevant.
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Getty Images
The restaurant labor market in 6 key statistics
Restaurant sector jobs numbers have started growing again after an early summer slowdown, indicating continued strength for the sector despite macroeconomic uncertainty.
Updated Sept. 8, 2026 -
Permission granted by KFC
KFC names first global chief brand officer amid identity overhaul
The chain created the post as it refreshes iconic assets, including Colonel Sanders, and recenters its menu on offerings like boneless chicken.
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Courtesy of Del Taco
Del Taco leans on catering in turnaround plan
The Mexican QSR chain follows Chipotle and Denny’s in turning to high-ticket group orders to ease sales troubles.
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Why 2026 is the year of employee retention
Nearly half of operators surveyed by Toast said they plan to keep the same staffing levels, an increase of 10 points year over year.
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Courtesy of Walmart
Dunkin’ partners with Walmart for delivery
The service follows a similar announcement with Subway as the retailer aims to become a contender in the restaurant delivery space.
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Ryan Murphy via Getty Images
Mamdani makes NYC outdoor dining year-round
New York City's mayor signed a bill this week lifting seasonal restrictions on roadway cafes and permitting winterization of outdoor dining structures.
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Sean Gallup/Getty Images via Getty Images
Uber, Wonder issue layoffs
Uber cut 10% of its workforce, or over 3,000 employees, while Wonder reduced its employee roster by 150 this week, as each delivery-focused platform plans for its next phase of growth.
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The image by Salad and Go is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
7 Brew outbids Dutch Bros in $143M offer for Salad and Go units
The drive-thru coffee chain proposed to take over half of the bankrupt fast casual’s closed locations.
Updated Sept. 2, 2026 -
Courtesy of Huddle House
Huddle House woos multi-unit operators with franchising discounts
Plagued by net closures and low unit volumes in recent years, the chain is looking for franchisees willing to build new restaurants quickly.
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Courtesy of Woworks
Woworks targets 40 openings this year
Saladworks’ parent has already debuted 23 units, nearly half of which are co-branded, and is on pace to double its new restaurant openings this year.
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Courtesy of Domino's
Q2 2026’s restaurant winners and losers
Coffee is in, pizza is out, and some legacy QSR chains are struggling with much-needed turnarounds.
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Retrieved from Pizza Hut.
It’s official: Yum has sold Pizza Hut for $1.5B
Taco Bell’s parent will focus on its other brands, while Pizza Hut can begin a turnaround sheltered from the immediate pressures of public markets.
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Permission granted by Chipotle
Chipotle deploys 100 creators for latest ads spotlighting fresh food
This is the first national advertising push from Chief Brand Officer Fernando Machado and Chipotle’s first major work with new agency partner Kids.
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Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks’ pumpkin spice launch breaks records, again
The Pumpkin Spice Latte, combined with new drinks and an emphasis on food attachment, powered the coffee giant’s strongest-ever fall menu debut.
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Courtesy of Domino's
How Domino’s is taking on the Big Mac, Whopper and other fast-food icons
CMO Kate Trumbull explains why the chain and AOR Work In Progress chose a hyperbolic, darkly comedic tone for its latest campaign.
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Kevin Dietsch / Staff via Getty Images
Starbucks faces another union boycott, activist investor pressure
Pro-labor investors want the chain to split its board chair and CEO roles as Starbucks Workers United asks consumers to join its contract fight.
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Retrieved from Chick-fil-A on August 28, 2026
Chick-fil-A to close remaining Little Blue Menu restaurant
The College Park, Maryland, restaurant, which was a delivery-centric test concept, will offer only Chick-fil-A menu options beginning next year.
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Courtesy of Roti Modern Mediterranean
OpinionThe future of restaurant growth is not a brand. It is a portfolio.
Creating a platform of chains provides more flexibility as competition for consumer dollars rises, writes Edible Brands’ CEO Somia Farid Silber.
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Getty Images
Gen Z is boosting restaurant traffic
Bars and independents are outperforming chains, and consumers are shifting from grocers to restaurants, according to Bank of America data.
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Courtesy of Taco Bell
How Gen Z, millennials drive beverage-only restaurant visits
Consumers want more coffee variety but seem bearish on dirty sodas, despite the fact that beverage-only occasions are concentrated in the afternoon, per a National Restaurant Association report.
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Permission granted by Starbucks
Is Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte ‘basic’? Martha Stewart answers in new ads
Stewart and “Off Campus” actor Belmont Cameli feature in tongue-in-cheek social content that heralds the return of the beloved menu item.
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Brett Dworski/Restaurant Dive
Murphy USA to trial automated White Castle kiosks
A partnership with Automated Retail Technologies will bring fresh items from the burger QSR’s menu to select large-format stores.
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Permission granted by Pressed Juicery
Why ghost kitchens aren’t dead for some brands
Pressed Juicery and Chick-fil-A include delivery-centric locations to fulfill demand and acquirie new customers.
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Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
Buffalo Wild Wings hires coffee exec as COO
Ahmed Awadallah, who brings significant cafe and QSR experience to the sports bar chain, will focus on operational excellence.
