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
  • Roadside billboard advertising Denny’s value menu with prices and driving directions.
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    Adobe Stock / Kristina Blokhin

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    Sponsored by Facteus

    The QSR value wars are buying traffic, not loyalty

    Approximately 83% of QSR chains saw retention fall despite a heavy promo environment.

  • 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 man stands on a stage talking
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    Julie Littman/Restaurant Dive
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    8 restaurant industry trade shows to attend in 2026

    This year is jam-packed with restaurant conferences that will cover key topics for the sector, ranging from franchising and menu development to economic forecasts.

    Updated Jan. 29, 2026
  • 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.

  • Lizzo for Chili's
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    Courtesy of Chili's Grill & Bar
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    Chili’s remakes iconic Baby Back Ribs jingle — again — with Lizzo

    The cultural play comes several years after the chain tapped Boyz II Men to remix the tune in an effort to double down on ‘90s nostalgia.

    Updated May 27, 2026
  • Sign above conference attendees reads "AI changes everything" referring to artificial intelligence
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Restaurant tech execs warn against AI overdependence

    There are limits to AI’s use cases, reliability and applicability, industry leaders said at the 2026 National Restaurant Association Show.

  • A photograph of a person wearing a blue suit jacket
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    Courtesy of Church's Texas Chicken
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    Church’s Texas Chicken appoints Popeyes vet as chief commercial officer

    Kevin Nemeth will oversee various aspects of the chain’s commercial strategy and help connect brand, digital, loyalty, menu and execution.

  • An image of a building with a sign that says "Sweetgreen."
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    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen hires Chipotle exec as chief strategy officer

    Cindy Olsen will help oversee the beleaguered chain’s turnaround strategy after it posted its worst sales decline since going public.

  • Papa Johns Toy Story collaboration
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Q&A

    Papa Johns’ CMO on driving cultural relevance with a ‘Toy Story’ tie-up

    Jenna Bromberg digs into recent moves around marketing co-ops and agency partners and how the chain is working with Google Cloud on AI.

    Updated May 27, 2026
  • People sit in a coffee shop.
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    Adam Gray via Getty Images
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    Starbucks ditches AI inventory system after just 9 months

    The coffee giant is ending its computer vision inventory counting system — which employees called “unreliable” — in favor of traditional stock-keeping methods, Reuters reported. 

  • An image of a Smashburger restaurant in the evening light
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    Permission granted by Smashburger
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    Smashburger hires CMO in push for growth

    Kate Savelli, who previously worked at Einstein Bros.’ parent, will lead brand, consumer, menu and partnership strategies as the chain focuses on expansion.

  • An empty Starbucks redesigned for on-premise occasions with couches and nice chairs.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Inside Starbucks’ atmospheric and experiential renovations

    At a remodeled Chicago cafe, the proportion of on-premise traffic has doubled as consumers enjoy couches, comfy seating, outlets and warm lighting. 

  • Four Cold Brews, three with flavored cold foam toppings.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell tests cold brew coffee

    The chain will use its Live Más Cafés to pilot the beverages, which could see a wider national rollout.

  • The Wendy's logo displayed near a Wendy's restaurant on June 18, 2024 in Austin, Texas.
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    Brandon Bell / Staff via Getty Images
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    Wendy’s appoints Bob Wright as CEO

    Wright joins the fast food chain as it continues to face declining sales, store closures and pressure from an activist investor.

    Updated May 20, 2026