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Tracking the same-store sales of 24 major restaurant chains
Q4 2025 saw more evidence of a casual dining resurgence, as fast casual sales continued to slow and QSRs posted divergent results.
Updated March 10, 2026 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks turnaround plan is paying off, CEO says
A litany of changes, from remodels to customizable caffeine levels, are helping the coffee giant grow transactions and speed up its turnaround.
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Courtesy of KFC
Yum Brands wants AI and beverages to supercharge growth
The company tested AI-arranged digital menu boards at Taco Bell and created a KFC Global Innovation Pantry to transfer successful LTOs between markets.
Updated April 29, 2026 -
Courtesy of Chili's
Chili’s chicken sandwiches are boosting traffic, sales
The casual chain is already selling 161% more chicken sandwiches since its April 14 launch, and reports strong guest satisfaction with the bigger portions.
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Courtesy of Whataburger
Whataburger adds toys, interactive packaging to kids meals
The new kids meals could help the chain compete for family dining dollars with QSR brands that have long offered kids flashy meal perks.
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Courtesy of Subway
Subway enters value wars with menu priced under $5
The chain’s Fresh Value Menu offers 15 items and joins McDonald’s and Taco Bell in targeting specific pricing to drive traffic and improve affordability.
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Courtesy of McDonald's
McDonald’s adds beverage specialists to make refreshers, dirty sodas
High-performing crew members will be trained for the beverage station, with all crew members eventually rotating into the role.
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Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Domino’s expects Papa Johns, Pizza Hut to close more stores
CEO Russell Weiner predicts pizza competitors will see more profitability issues as they offer steep discounts to drive sales, while Domino’s franchisees continue to improve margins.
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Permission granted by Freddy's
Freddy’s hires 2 development execs as it nears 600 units
Rafik Farouk will help the burger brand fill in existing markets and enter new ones, while Jackie Lobdell will work to recruit new operators.
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Courtesy of Domino's
Domino’s same-store sales hit a speed bump — but execs aren’t worried
Competitive pressures over value, dwindling consumer confidence and bad weather resulted in a same-stores sales increase of just 0.9%, far below expectations and Q4’s 3.7% growth.
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Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Chipotle appoints Fernando Machado as chief brand officer
The former CMO at companies including Burger King and Activision Blizzard takes a role last held by longtime brand marketer Chris Brandt.
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Courtesy of Dine Brands
Applebee’s franchisees sue chain over dual-branding exclusivity
Operators in Texas claim adding Applebee’s to existing IHOP restaurants broke development exclusivity agreements.
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Kevin Frayer via Getty Images
McDonald’s US CIO to depart, successor named
Mustafa Husain, former VP of restaurant technology engineering, will replace Valerie Ashbaugh starting May 1.
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Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Deep DiveMore than a rough patch: Recent restaurant closures signal market correction
Persistent traffic declines, rising costs and an oversaturated market are forcing brands to make tough decisions, and robust chains are taking advantage of the moment, experts say.
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Courtesy of CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.
Hardee’s operator files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy
ARC Burger’s 77 stores have been closed since December, following a lawsuit by Hardee’s against the operator.
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Courtesy of Flytrex
Flytrex, Little Caesars deploy new drone for larger orders
The Sky2 drone can carry family-sized pizza delivery orders and will begin delivering from a Texas location.
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Nestlé sells Blue Bottle Coffee to Centurium Capital
The deal with the Chinese coffee giant includes the brand's cafes and the majority of its CPG business, a spokesperson confirmed.
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Permission granted by Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams scoops up Ben & Jerry’s CEO
David Stever, who spent decades at the Vermont-based creamery, joins Jeni’s as it prepares for a new era of franchised national expansion.
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Courtesy of 7-Eleven
7-Eleven adding catering to restaurant locations
The company has partnered with ezCater on bulk ordering at Speedy Café and Laredo Taco locations, further supporting its foodservice ambitions.
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Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
DOL proposes new joint employer rule
The rule would create “a single nationwide standard” for the Fair Labor Standards Act and other laws, the U.S. Department of Labor said.
Updated April 22, 2026 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Why old school pizza delivery won’t disappear, despite third-party dominance
Platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash can bring new visibility and customers to pizza chains. But first-party delivery still often remains supreme.
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David Ryder via Getty Images
Starbucks Nashville HQ will cost $100M, employ 2K workers
The chain will relocate some teams and hire new workers to staff a regional headquarters with proximity to key suppliers and expected growth markets.
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Getty Images
Why restaurants are anxious about OpenTable’s new terms
The reservation platform said its partners must agree to make OpenTable their primary table management system, leading to confusion and concern over exclusivity.
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Permission granted by White Castle
White Castle to deploy 1K slider kiosks
The chain will work with Automated Retail Technologies to bring the robotic technology to areas off-limits to traditional QSRs.
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Courtesy of Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut shifts loyalty program toward experience and exclusivity
The pizza giant is adding merchandise drops, digital games and experiential rewards to boost consumer engagement.
