The Latest

  • An image of a man leaving a Chipotle. He is holding a brown bag.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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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
  • Customers ordering at the counter of a cookie store.
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    How Chip City baked its way to million dollar investments and 45 locations

    It started with a love of cookies. A focus on customers and the right tools led to business success.

  • A photograph of a red and yellow sign with a giant yellow "M" above a red box that says "McDonald's Billions Served."
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s appoints US CIO

    Valerie Ashbaugh is set to switch positions with long-time tech chief Whitney McGinnis, who will now be senior vice president, commercial products and platforms.

  • A Panera store.
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    Courtesy of Panera
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    Panera operator in Florida sued by DOL over child labor

    The suit alleges that a 29-store franchisee subjected 240 minors to “oppressive” and illegal working conditions. 

  • A grab-and-go section in a store.
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    Sam Silverstein/Restaurant Dive
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    Walmart is leveling up in foodservice. How can grocers compete?

    As the retailer adds hot bars, grab-and-go items and in-store QSRs, supermarkets can tap their workers and deep knowledge of their customer base as valuable differentiators, sources said.

  • A photograph of a person wearing a suit and smiling.
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    Courtesy of Yum Brands
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    Yum Brands appoints Chris Turner CEO

    Turner, current chief financial and franchise officer, will succeed David Gibbs on Oct. 1. Gibbs will serve the chain in an advisory role through 2026.

    Updated June 17, 2025
  • An image of a breakfast sandwich, coffee and hashbrowns on a table
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    Permission granted by Portillo's
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    Portillo’s expands breakfast test

    The chain, which began testing the morning daypart in April, added five more restaurants and a new menu item to the Chicagoland pilot.

  • 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 leads in customer satisfaction for 11th straight year

    The ACSI 2025 report found challenger brands on the march, sector leaders on the defensive, and Starbucks showing surprising strength.

  • An aerial image of a brown building with a red and yellow logo that says "Golden Corral Favorites."
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    Permission granted by Golden Corral
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    Why Golden Corral rebranded its fast casual concept

    Homeward Kitchen required too many resources to raise brand awareness, so the chain reopened it using the Golden Corral logo.

  • An evening shot of a building with white and red coloring and signage that says "Portillo's."
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s appoints Gene Lee to board

    The fast casual chain made the former Darden CEO a director as part of its agreement with Engaged Capital.

  • Guests play arcade games at Dave & Buster's.
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    Mark Davis via Getty Images
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    Dave & Buster’s dials back some of its ‘confusing’ experience changes

    The company is reversing course on proposed changes, like flexible game pricing, with an eye toward simplification, according to CEO Kevin Sheehan.

  • A photograph of a brick building with signage that says "Fuzzy's Tacos and Margs."
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    Permission granted by Fuzzy's Taco Shop
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    Fuzzy’s to open first full-service restaurant

    Fuzzy’s Tacos and Margs will offer tableside service, a taco-focused menu and a new slate of beverages in Sugar Land, Texas, next week.

    Updated June 13, 2025
  • A black and white image of a person wearing a suit and smiling in front of of a gray background.
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    Permission granted by Ascent Hospitality Management
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    Ascent Hospitality appoints technology chief

    Brian Wallunas has more than 20 years of experience in hospitality and technology. He has overseen digital transformations at brands such as Domino’s and Arby’s.

  • An Outback Steakhouse restaurant on a cold day.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Restaurants develop a taste for AI as economic outlook sours

    BJ’s Restaurants, Cracker Barrel and Bloomin’ Brands pursue efficiency and productivity gains with AI initiatives.

  • A photograph of a person wearing a navy blue suit.
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    Courtesy of 7 Brew
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    7 Brew hires first supply chain chief

    Christopher Held, who worked at Inspire Brands for six years, will help scale operations, optimize supply chain and ensure product consistency at the fast-growing coffee chain.

  • Patrons at a Chicago Starbucks after the coffee chain on Feb. 25, 2025.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Starbucks deploys virtual assistant to improve workflows

    Green Dot Assist will help staff look up various ingredients for drinks, troubleshoot equipment and help managers staff last-minute callouts.

  • An image of a white room packed with pink and orange robots.
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    Courtesy of Coco Robotics
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    Coco Robotics raises $80M in funding to fuel expansion

    The delivery bot firm will use the funding to enter into additional partnerships, grow its fleet and advance its AI system.

  • A Starbucks worker in a green apron and a black shirt.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks cafes are getting more managers

    The cafe chain is launching a full-time assistant manager program, which will be systemwide in 2026, to fill a critical gap in store-level leadership.

  • An Uber driver on a red moped delivers items to a customer.
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    Permission granted by Uber Health
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    Uber grocery executive named to lead delivery operations

    Susan Anderson, who formerly led the company’s grocery and retail operations, is now serving as its global head of delivery.

  • A man in an orange sweatshirt next to a corner of a building that has a circle sign with the words "insomnia cookies."
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Krispy Kreme sells remaining stake in Insomnia Cookies Holdings for $75M

    The doughnut chain will use the cash net proceeds to pay down debt following the transaction.

    Updated June 11, 2025
    M&A
  • A photograph of four salads on a checkered table.
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    Courtesy of Califorinia Pizza Kitchen
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    California Pizza Kitchen adds 3 salads to permanent menu

    The offerings come months after it partnered with Man Vs Fries to add a virtual menu.

  • An image of a brown building with a "Texas Roadhouse" signage
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    Northwalker. (2022). Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
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    Texas Roadhouse CFO leaves after 2 years

    The Kentucky-based company named Keith Humpich as interim CFO after Chris Monroe left to return to the Lone Star State.

  • A photograph of three chicken sandwiches
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    Courtesy of Culver's
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    Culver’s revamps chicken sandwiches

    The chain will update three chicken sandwiches on June 16, just as rivals Popeyes and McDonald’s launch new items in the popular category.

  • A view of an empty fast food restaurant
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    umcher via Getty Images
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    Las Vegas restaurant operator ordered to pay more than $215K for alleged racial slurs against Black line cook

    Olives, Inc., allegedly took no remedial or disciplinary action after an HR manager came to the “spurious” conclusion there was no “malicious intent” behind the conduct.

  • A photograph of a turquoise building with "Caribou Coffee" on the outside signage.
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    Permission granted by Caribou Coffee
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    Caribou Coffee opens first standalone Texas unit

    The chain, which opened four locations in North Carolina last year, is expanding further into the Southeast and beyond its Midwest roots.

    Updated June 10, 2025
  • Culver's ButterBurger fast food drive-thru restaurant in Illinois
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    Patty Colabuono via Getty Images
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    Slurs, stalking and shoddy pay: Culver’s franchise settles slew of EEOC claims

    The settlement includes one case alleging sexual orientation-based discrimination, despite EEOC’s recent enforcement shifts affecting LGBTQ+ workers.