The Latest

  • An image of a person holding a brown bag leaving a Chipotle store front.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    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
  • A table with a salad, cheeseburger quesadilla and a plate of rice
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    Permission granted by Applebee's
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    How a popular burger drove Applebee’s to double down on cheese

    The O-M-Cheese Burger hit on consumer preferences for cheese, affordability and a fun experience, leading to an expanded lineup. 

  • A close-up photograph of an orange sign that says Tropical Smoothie Cafe that is next to a palm tree logo shaped as a T.
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    Courtesy of Tropical Smoothie Cafe
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    Tropical Smoothie Cafe unveils rebrand, new logo

    The chain’s updated look will also include a redesigned web and app that will offer more seamless browsing, customizations and access to loyalty rewards.

  • An image of a drive-thru digital menu board with a Taco Bell restaurant with white and purple paint in the background.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell’s traffic slump persists as outbreak ends

    Nearly two months after iceberg lettuce at the chain was linked to Cyclospora, the QSR giant’s foot traffic remains depressed, according to Placer.ai.

  • A close up photograph of a red out of business sign hanging on a store window.
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    Getty Images
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    Why multi-unit restaurant franchisee bankruptcies are surging in 2026

    High labor and food costs and slumping sales have caused franchisee bankruptcies to reach pre-pandemic levels, but various strategies could help mitigate the problem.

  • A rendering of a bagel shop.
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    Courtesy of Einstein Bros. Bagels
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    Einstein Bros. Bagels staffs up C-suite for national growth

    The breakfast chain hired several executives to lead development, people and finance as it works to open 300 stores in three years.

  • People walk past a Chipotle storefront.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Chipotle to place apprentice managers in all company-owned locations

    These high-performing employees are working toward a general manager role and will be a key part of staffing newly opened restaurants. 

  • Danny DeVito for Jersey Mike's
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    Courtesy of Jersey Mike's
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    Jersey Mike’s kicks off NFL campaign as digital marketing spend surges

    “Game Day Mike’s Way” is billed as the brand’s most integrated campaign to date and arrives following its debut as a public company in July.

  • An image of two pan pizzas in front of a green background. On the right is a green pizza box.
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    Permission granted by Papa Johns
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    How technology is powering Papa Johns’ turnaround

    A new POS system, AI forecasting and greater customer segmentation could help the pizza chain improve its operations and drive sales.

  • A zoomed in image of a smartphone with a on orange app square that says "Grubhub" in white.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    DoorDash buys Grubhub campus unit for $300M

    DoorDash will continue to expand Grubhub’s former campus dining operations, and Wonder will use money from the deal and an investment to sustain growth.

  • A diamond sign with red and blue and a white words that say "Domino's"
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Domino’s closes 13 Ohio units

    After franchisee Mile High Pizza shuttered 13 restaurants, the pizza giant said it was looking to transition the stores to new ownership.

  • A photograph of a makeline with various cabinets and ingredients ready to deploy into bowls.
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    Permission granted by Wonder
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    Wonder deploys first automated makeline

    The food hall company will use the tech it acquired from Sweetgreen for $186 million to offer lower prices, extended hours and expand into new markets.

  • An order of Stuffed French Toast topped with strawberries and oozing sweet cream.
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    Courtesy of IHOP
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    Why IHOP brought back Stuffed French Toast

    The pancake chain hopes to give fans more of what they want — vanilla sweet cream filling — while sticking close to its historic breakfast identity.

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    Courtesy of GoTo Foods
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    GoTo Foods appoints McDonald’s vet as Jamba president

    Lucy Brady joins the beverage brand as its parent company reshuffles other positions in its C-suite.

  • A restaurant sign on an Art Deco building. The restaurant is empty, the sky beside the sign is a cold, harsh blue.
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    Getty Images
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    TGI Fridays joins the casual dining value arms race

    Starting at $11.99, the casual chain’s 3 For All menu could help it capitalize on deal-seeking consumers in a volatile pricing environment.

  • A photograph of a dining table with two blue Walmart bags next to a pile of Papa Johns pizza boxes. A mother and child are on the right taking soup cans out of one of the blue bags.
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns to offer delivery from Walmart

    Using Walmart Express Delivery, customers can order fresh pizza on its own or as part of their grocery haul this fall.

  • Three 7 Brew drinks on a table
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    Courtesy of 7 Brew
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    Q&A

    How 7 Brew’s first CMO is marketing the fastest-growing brand in the US

    Ex-KFC CMO Nick Chavez is building on existing brand love for the beverage chain with culture-hacking campaigns and a loyalty app that is social by design.

  • An image of a sky blue Pollo Tropical restaurant
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    Courtesy of Fiesta Restaurant Group
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    Pollo Tropical owner secures $325M investment

    Authentic Restaurant Brands said the funding from Trimontium would bring new resources to “hometown hero” brands.

  • A photograph of a corner restaurant with beige paint and a green sign that says O'Charley's
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    jetcityimage via Getty Images
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    O’Charley’s closes all corporate restaurants after strategic review

    The 55-year-old casual dining chain, which once had 250 units, has reportedly closed its remaining 49 company-owned locations.

  • A sign that says "Since 1956 Jersey Miek's Subs"
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    4 key numbers shed light on Jersey Mike’s strategy

    The sandwich chain is investing in digital marketing and significant unit growth in its first months as a public company.

  • A close up shot of a burger with two patties.
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    Courtesy of Carl's Jr.
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    Carl’s Jr institutes cook-to-order standard

    The chain joins Burger King, McDonald’s and Wendy’s in moving to improve food quality in order to boost frequency and sales.

  • A photograph of a stripped out restaurant with wall studs and HVAC visible.
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    Getty Images
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    Why second-generation restaurant space doesn’t always make sense

    “The goal isn't to open the cheapest restaurant. The goal is to make the smartest investment,” East Coast Wings + Grill CEO Sam Ballas said.

  • An evening photograph of a brick building with green and yellow signage that says "Potbelly."
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    Potbelly expands into Georgia

    The chain opened its first company-owned location in the Peach State as it aims to grow beyond 500 units this year.

  • An image of the Domino's mobile app with with details of its $5 coupon campaign.
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    Courtesy of Domino's Pizza
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    How Domino’s app redesign went wrong and what CX leaders can learn

    Full-scale redesigns are increasingly out of step with how leading brands manage digital experiences, experts say.

  • A white resturant with a patio with black trim. There is a logo that says Brass Tap
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    Permission granted by The Brass Tap
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    How The Brass Tap uses local flair to create unique experiences

    Operators are free to employ regional touches, like a Wild West theme in a Texas location, to create a dining experience rivalling independent restaurants.