The Latest

  • An image of a man leaving a Chipotle. He is holding a brown bag.
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    Getty Images
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    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
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    Permission granted by Good Foods Group
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    Sponsored by Good Foods Group

    How versatility is helping foodservice operators do more with less

    Today’s environment demands that operators boost flavor and innovation without adding complexity or cost.

  • An image of a white and red restaurant with Krystal on the signage
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    Permission granted by Krystal
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    SPB Hospitality CEO launches strategy change 6 months in

    Krystal and the company’s upscale casual brands will operate as parallel businesses under one leadership team, GJ Hart said Thursday.

  • A Dave's Hot Chicken fast casual restaurant in Chicago viewed from above.
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    Courtesy of Dave's Hot Chicken
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    Dave’s Hot Chicken diners don’t want to talk to robots — so here’s how it’s innovating

    After successfully upgrading its point of sale and kitchen display tech, Dave’s is waiting for other tech to mature, the brand’s chief technology officer said.

  • Chipotle campaign imagery for its “53 Years. 53 Real Ingredients" NBA Finals campaign.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle nods to NBA milestones to dole out 53K free entrees

    The chain will post a text-to-win code on X as part of an effort inspired by separate achievements from the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.

  • NBA star Devin Booker uses a camcorder to record a video with a Ronald McDonald statue to tease a scavenger hunt for his latest signature shoes.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    How McDonald’s is serving up culture as part of its new strategic plan

    Activations around a Nike sneaker release and box office smash “Backrooms” demonstrate how the fast-food giant uses social media marketing.

  • Little Caesars Hot and Ready
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    Courtesy of Little Caesars
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    Little Caesars offers $5 pizza deal through Amazon Prime

    The limited-time value play could help the chain reach consumers through a new channel at a moment when QSR pizza is generally stagnant.

  • An image of a gray building with a black sign that says "&pizza"
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    Permission granted by &pizza
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    &pizza, Tijuana Flats search for a new CEO

    The parent company of the two restaurant chains said its strategy has not changed since CEO Mike Burns left to take over Cafe Rio’s leadership.

  • A view of a Taco Bell restaurant on February 06, 2025 in Dublin, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Yum Brands COO to retire after 25 years

    Tracy Skeans helped the company emerge as one of the clear QSR winners after the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • An image of cold-press juices from Pressed Juicery
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    Permission granted by Pressed Juicery
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    Pressed Juicery to open in 27 CloudKitchen locations

    The juice brand, which has 100 company-owned locations and a robust consumer packaged goods business, will add this channel to expand into high-density areas.

  • Illinois legislature credit card fees laws banks card networks
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    Getty Images
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    Illinois restaurants face more tip fees, for now

    A federal court blocked the state's interchange fee ban. Delays to the law could cost local businesses $500 million a year, proponents say. 

  • An image of a McDonald's with a playplace
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    M. Suhail via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s bets chicken, restaurant improvements will grow sales

    The McDonald’s > NEXT plan focuses on improving food quality and taste, customer experiences, restaurant interiors and hospitality.  

  • An exterior photograph of a Cafe Rio restaurant.
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    Courtesy of Cafe Rio
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    Cafe Rio hires &pizza CEO after losing its way

    Mike Burns will oversee an effort to return the fast casual Mexican chain to sales growth with speedy service, better food and cleaner restaurants.

  • A close up image of a veggie slider with white bun and jalapeno cheese. There is a orange background
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    Permission granted by White Castle
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    White Castle to add veggie slider to core menu

    Roughly a year after it added a Crispy Chicken Slider to its permanent menu, the chain will add a Southwest Veggie Slider on June 15.

  • A photograph with a close up of a financial spreadsheet with a black caalculator on the right and a black pen in the middle.
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    atiatiati via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    How restaurants can navigate MCA loan debt

    Merchant cash advance loans can provide operators quick funding for cash shortfalls, but they can be costly in the long run, Coastal Debt Resolve’s Nathan Mor said.

  • A sign is posted in front of a Taco Bell restaurant on May 01, 2024 in Richmond, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Major Taco Bell franchisee sells 44 restaurants

    Ghai Restaurants bought the Houston-area stores from Mas Restaurant Group for an undisclosed sum, more than doubling its Taco Bell footprint. 

  • A person wearing a black apron with white stripes and white shirt sits at a metal table looking at receipts.
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    Getty Images
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    Opinion

    The restaurant industry’s real crisis isn’t food costs — it’s access to financing

    To stay financially healthy, operators must know how to discern a trustworthy capital partner from a predatory one, says US Professional Funding and US Medical Funding’s Christopher Cornella.

  • A photogrpah of a multi-colored building with a sign in red that says "Red Robin."
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    CRobertson via Getty Images
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    Red Robin sells 30 company-owned units for $23.5M

    Evergreen Dining purchased the restaurants in Washington and Western Idaho and will continue to operate them under the Red Robin brand.

  • An image of hot dogs on a table.
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    Permission granted by DogHaus
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    Dog Haus signs 50-unit deal, adds new execs

    The hot dog chain hopes recruiting high-performing operators from other restaurants will help it grow from over 50 stores to 1,500.

  • A crowd of people stand in front of a dark gray building with a logo that says Saladworks
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    Courtesy of Woworks
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    Woworks hires former Subway exec as chief growth officer

    James Walker joins the six-branded company as it continues to expand nationwide through single-concept and co-branded locations.

  • A group of people stand behind a yellow ribbon while a person in the middle holds up large scissors that are about to cut the ribbon.
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s opens first airport unit

    The nontraditional location signals ongoing investment in Texas, where Portillo’s had a disappointing 2025.

  • Chipotle's Summer of Extras
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    Courtesy of Chipotle Mexican Grill
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    How Chipotle’s rewards relaunch extends reach of its marketing flywheel

    Curt Garner, chief strategy and technology officer at the chain, explains how a “Summer of Extras” effort builds on and gamifies its rewards program.

  • A concept image of a Dairy Queen Grill & Chill store
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    Courtesy of Dairy Queen
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    Dairy Queen adds $150K development incentive for food-focused stores

    The cash incentive and further rewards for multi-unit development could help the brand grow its Grill & Chill concept. 

  • A smiling woman behind a table of green Wingstop merch.
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    Courtesy of Wingstop
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    Wingstop launches loyalty program

    Club Wingstop’s exclusive perks and experiences could help improve guest frequency and same-store sales growth.

  • An image of Tijuana Flats
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    Permission granted by Tijuana Flats
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    Tijuana Flats relaunches franchising

    Under Latitude Food Group’s ownership, the 100-unit fast casual chain will partner with operators to open new units and refranchise select stores.

  • A photograph of a gray storefrot with a yellow sign that says Qdoba
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    jetcityimage via Getty Images
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    Qdoba completes $435M whole business securitization

    The transaction will allow the chain to refinance debt, providing liquidity to help it reach 2,000 units and support investments in remodels and digital makelines.