The Latest

  • A Gong cha store with the open sign and drink menu displayed on the storefront's windows.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kelly Stroh/Restaurant Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Bain Capital buys Gong cha bubble tea chain

    The private equity firm will assume control of a 2,200-unit global chain, with at least 240 stores in the U.S.  

    Updated 23 hours ago
    M&A
  • A car at a window picking up an order from a restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Salad and Go
    Image attribution tooltip

    Salad and Go files for Ch. 11, closes 70 stores

    The salad chain said it faced ongoing pressure on consumer demand, including an indirect impact from the Cyclospora outbreak.

  • A sign on a Chipotle restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle pulls some jalapeños over Salmonella concerns

    The brand, which has a long history of food safety scares, said its ingredient tracking system identified a batch of peppers that may have been affected.  

  • A person smiles at a camera in front of a gray background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Portillo's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Portillo’s hires Olive Garden finance exec as CFO

    Kevin Kalicak, who has spent nearly 30 years at Darden, will join the fast casual chain on Sept. 7, succeeding Michelle Hook.

  • An image of a man leaving a Chipotle. He is holding a brown bag.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Tracking the same-store sales of 23 major restaurant chains

    Q1 2026 saw more evidence of a casual dining resurgence, as fast casual sales continued to slow and QSRs posted mixed results.

    Updated May 26, 2026
  • The exterior of a Dave & Buster's restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brandon Bell / Staff via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Dave & Buster’s hires another CEO

    Darin Harper has moved into the top executive position from CFO, succeeding Tarun Lal, who retired effective Aug. 3.

    Updated Aug. 4, 2026
  • Six drinks, all colorful, comprising the vanguard of McDonald's post-CosMc's premium drinks lineup.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of McDonald's
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s CEO blames US traffic drop on execution problems

    The Golden Arches is acting with urgency to correct value issues and operational inefficiencies in the U.S. after a sales miss, executives said.

  • An image of a small restaurant with a red facade that has a white logo saying Checkers. There is a woman waiting at a pickup window and a blue car at a drive-thru window.
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by Pokemonprime is licensed under CC BY 4.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    Checkers & Rally’s hires development chief to return to growth

    Peter Busse, an alumnus of Torchy’s Tacos and Yum Brands, will help the burger brands plot a turnaround after years of shrinking store counts.

  • A person with a green blazer sits in front of a window looking out to a blurred cityscape.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of McDonald's
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s USA appoints Skye Anderson to president

    Anderson will oversee the chain’s NEXT strategy in its largest market and succeeds Joe Erlinger, who is leaving the company after 20 years.

  • A biege building with signage in red and green that says Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Krispy Kreme creates chief commercial officer role

    Suk Nicholas, a 15-year company veteran, will oversee the chain’s fresh delivery business globally and in the U.S.

  • Domino's app
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Domino's Pizza
    Image attribution tooltip

    Domino’s pays diners to beta test its relaunched app, website

    The pizza chain’s new campaign encourages consumers to leave feedback about its updated digital ordering experience.

  • BJ's Restaurants' new chicken sandwiches
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of BJ's Restaurants
    Image attribution tooltip

    BJ’s posts strongest traffic gains in 4 years

    The chain’s turnaround — aided by value plays, menu innovation and marketing spend — is nearing an inflection point as it prepares to expand.

  • An image of a Johnny Rockets counter.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Fat Brands
    Image attribution tooltip

    Why do so many restaurants insist on employee gimmicks?

    Canned phrases, scripted songs and choreographed dance routines aim to boost brand consistency and memorability but risk alienating customers and employees, experts say.

  • Popeyes signage
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Popeyes
    Image attribution tooltip

    Popeyes spices up agency roster to deliver better brand consistency

    Anomaly, which the chain credited for its “audacious, resonant work,” is taking over U.S. creative duties from McKinney.

  • A close up image of a person holding up a slice of Mexican Pizza from Taco Bell
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Taco Bell
    Image attribution tooltip

    Why Taco Bell predicts a swift recovery from Cyclospora

    Loyalty, value offers and swift removal of lettuce have mitigated the sales impact of the ongoing outbreak of the foodborne parasitic illness.

  • A photograph of a building that with white signage that says Panera Bread. There is an empty parking lot out front and an outdoor patio on the right.
    Image attribution tooltip
    bgwalker via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Panera to relocate HQ to Massachusetts

    The fast casual chain said the move to Weston is part of its Panera RISE strategy and will help foster more collaboration and decision-making.

  • A rendering of a KFC next-generation restaurant that includes pink neon lights and black facade.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by KFC
    Image attribution tooltip

    Yum bids Pizza Hut farewell, overhauls KFC

    Yum Brands is ushering in a new era for KFC through a global brand transformation, while Pizza Hut is shifting to new ownership.

  • People walk past a Chipotle storefront.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle’s efforts to engage customers with rewards in-restaurant pay off

    “While food quality and generous portions bring guests through our doors, it's the experience we deliver that keeps them coming back,” CEO Scott Boatwright said.

  • A photograph of a brown sign with white lettering that says Starbucks Center.
    Image attribution tooltip
    David Ryder via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks’ experience refinements are ‘turning engagement into rituals,’ CEO says

    According to CEO Brian Niccol, better customer service and a revamped loyalty program are building trust with customers and making the brand more visible.

  • A smiling worker hands someone a ceramic mug of coffee.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks remodels, service tweaks are paying off

    The coffee giant gained same-store sales momentum in the U.S. market with its third consecutive quarter of comps growth.

  • A photograph of a gray building with white signage that says "Since 1956 Jersey Mike's Sub's." There are three cars parked in front of the building.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Jersey Mike’s debuts on NYSE with $1B IPO

    The sub sandwich chain will begin selling Class A common stock at $23 per share in the largest restaurant initial public offering since 2021.

  • A sign on a Chipotle restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle posts best quarterly same-store sales growth since 2024

    The chain’s Recipe for Growth initiative, which launched in February, has already shifted momentum, with same-store sales up 2.2%.

  • A photo of the outside of a Wingstop.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Wingstop
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wingstop same-store sales drop for 5th straight quarter

    CEO Michael Skipworth said the fast casual chain has many price-sensitive guests and will focus more on value and group occasions to boost sales.

  • Two people stand in a bar looking at a tablet. One person is wearing a beige apron while the other is wearing a green dress.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    Quality without compromise: What restaurant operators really need in 2026

    Consistent commitment to the best ROI can help eateries level up their business despite challenging consumer trends, writes Stacey Kinkaid, VP of product development and innovation at US Foods.

  • An image of a beige building wiht both Fatburger and Round Table Pizza signage
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Fat Brands
    Image attribution tooltip

    Judge approves Fat Brands liquidation

    After a complicated bankruptcy process that included a CEO ouster effort, Fat’s liquidation can proceed with court approval.