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 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
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    Permission granted by Good Foods Group
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    Sponsored by Good Foods Group

    Why restaurants are using spice to drive flavor—and repeat traffic

    To meet the demand for spice, operators must deliver intriguing tastes without adding complexity to their operations.

  • A photo of several sandwiches on a wooden table with a green and white box behind them that says Speedy Cafe Sandwiches.
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    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.

  • An exterior of a building.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    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
  • A Domino's worker loads an order into a car.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    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.

  • A close up photograph of a partial Starbucks siren logo as seen from the top of an office building.
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    David Ryder via Getty Images
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    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.

  • An image of a table setting in a restuarnat with a black reserved sign on the right foreground
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    Getty Images
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    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.

  • A White Castle burger kiosk at Boston's Logan Airport.
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    Permission granted by White Castle
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    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.

  • A promotional image for Hut Rewards
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    Courtesy of Pizza Hut
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    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.

  • A woman grins at her phone while eating a Subway sandwich in a promotion image for the chain's MVP Rewards.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Diners are becoming less loyal: Tillster

    Leading brands in the restaurant sector could face greater competition from c-stores and grocery chains.

  • A rendering of a building prototype that is red and beige with Smoothie King sigange
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    Permission granted by Smoothie King
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    Smoothie King to add flatbreads, high-protein food items

    The rollout is part of a brand evolution plan that includes store redesigns and national advertising to support the chain’s aggressive growth strategy. 

  • A sign that says "Since 1956 Jersey Miek's Subs"
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jersey Mike’s could go public

    Rapid store growth and strong unit volumes have made the sandwich chain a restaurant sector success story. Will that track record yield a successful IPO?

  • A sign on a Chipotle restaurant.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    A look at how Chipotle’s loyalty relaunch could affect customer behavior

    Value is key to the loyalty revamp, and the approach could drive in-restaurant traffic and help the company win over less frequent customers.

  • A photo of a Cava location in a brick endcap retail space.
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava opens first St. Louis location in Midwestern growth push

    Cava could reach 500 restaurants nationwide later this year, thanks in part to new market entries and infill in areas where it has a modest presence.

  • A photograph of two arms holding up a plate of prawns above a wooden table full of food.
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    Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Who’s Hungry? What GroundTruth’s first-party data says about today’s restaurant visitors.

    Most diners eat at places within 10 miles of their homes, so operators should target customers closest to their restaurants before expanding outward, GroundTruth’s Hayden Erwin says.

  • A Dairy Queen location
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Dairy Queen expands drive-thru voice AI test

    Franchisees will now have access to Presto’s technology after a pilot yielded positive results at company-owned stores.

  • A photograph of a fast food employee handing a paper bag to a person in a car.
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    Permission granted by Hi Auto
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    Hi Auto’s latest tech targets the drive-thru pickup window

    The company has partnered with three brands, including Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, to beta test technology that will monitor guest and employee interactions at the pickup window.

  • A person stands at a podium
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    Jim Vondruska/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Chicago’s tip credit elimination plan is back, for now

    Chicago city councilors failed to overturn a mayoral veto of the council’s tipped wage freeze on Wednesday.

  • A photograph of salmon held in tongs over a bowl of various vegetables, rice and greens.
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava adds glazed salmon to menu

    The first seafood offering at the fast casual chain could be one of several new proteins in test, including roasted garlic shrimp, coming to the menu.

    Updated April 15, 2026
  • A Starbucks store stands in Manhattan on January 30, 2024 in New York City.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Starbucks lets customers discover drinks, start orders in ChatGPT

    The app, in beta, takes the prompt-driven inspiration of ChatGPT and pushes customers into the Starbucks ecosystem to complete their orders.

  • Six versions of Chili's Big Crispy Chicken Sandwich
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    Courtesy of Chili's
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    Chili’s serves up new Big Crispy chicken sandwich platform

    The chain is balancing the 3 for Me value offering with more premium versions of its Big Crispy sandwich to preserve its margins and sales mix.

  • A person eats Smashburger food
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    Courtesy of Smashburger
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    Smashburger hires newcomer agency Understory amid creative revamp

    The shop, which launched this year, looks to bring more cultural relevance to Smashburger’s marketing after the brand recently admitted it lost focus.

  • Five fancy drinks at McDonald's against a dark blue background.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonalds to launch refreshers and crafted sodas in May

    The chain will expand its beverage menu nationwide after a highly successful test period at 500 restaurants last year.

  • A portrait of a smiling person wearing a red blazer over a white undershirt.
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    Courtesy of Denny's
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    Denny’s appoints CEO, announces turnaround plan

    Christopher Bode will lead the chain as it undertakes a 24-month initiative that will cover menu development, digital transformation and operational excellence.

    Updated April 13, 2026
  • A split photograph with two executive headshots with the person on the left wearing a blue checkered shirt while the person on the right is wearing a black blazer and white shirt.
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    Courtesy of GoTo Foods
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    GoTo Foods appoints chief digital and development officers

    Tatiana Lambert, a former Wendy’s executive, will oversee “disciplined” franchise growth, and Biplav Misra will lead digital strategy.

  • A fast casual restaurant with a celebratory crowd ready for its opening.
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    Courtesy of Chicken Salad Chick
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    Chicken Salad Chick hires Popeyes exec to lead franchised growth

    Brian Lindley joins the chain as it continues franchised expansion, particularly with younger operators, while reducing the operating costs of its stores.