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 fire crew member uses a firehose on a structure that burned down by fire
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    DBrownPhotos/Shutterstock.com

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    Sponsored by Society Insurance

    Wildfire preparedness: How restaurants can better protect themselves

    For restaurant owners, wildfire preparedness belongs in your risk management plan.

  • 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.

  • Heads of iceberg lettuce in a grocery store.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Can restaurants avoid the next Cyclospora outbreak?

    The parasite is hard to trace and harder to kill. With recent cuts to food safety regulators, restaurants will be hard pressed to keep their supply chains clean.

  • Overly busy restaurant
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    Getty Images
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    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
  • A close up shot of various packages from KFC
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    Permission granted by KFC
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    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.

  • A promotional image for Del Taco's catering program. Bowls of Mexican fast food on a table.
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    Courtesy of Del Taco
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    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.

  • A photograph of a glass window to a Domino's restaurant with a red sign that says now hiring.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    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.

  • Walmart now delivers Dunkin'
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    Courtesy of Walmart
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    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.

  • A person with a beard speaks at a podium.
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    Ryan Murphy via Getty Images
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    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.

  • The back of a bike courier with an Uber Eats bag.
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    Sean Gallup/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    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.

  • A daytime photograph of a small gray and orange building with "Salad and Go" signage.
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    The image by Salad and Go is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    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