The Latest

  • 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 24 major restaurant chains

    Q3 2025 saw more evidence of a casual dining resurgence, as fast casual sales continued to slow and QSRs posted divergent results.

    Updated Dec. 1, 2025
  • The exterior of the Black Seed Bagel restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Square
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Square

    Black Seed Bagels meets the future of ordering

    Black Seed Bagels meets the future. Discover how Square’s AI-powered Order Guide helps restaurants like Black Seed Bagels manage vendors, reduce food costs, and simplify procurement.

  • An image of a worn sign on a window that says "sorry we're closed."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    BBI: 15% of restaurants could close in 2026

    Nine percent of full-service restaurants are at risk of shuttering, while only 4% of limited-service units could close this year, Black Box Intelligence data shows

  • A consumers sits at a computer opened to landing page featuring the pizza orders of influencers and other celebrities.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Domino's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Domino’s redefines celebrity meals in social-first campaign

    Ahead of March Madness, the pizza brand is hoping influencers will drive sales.

  • A close up imae of a white sign with Cracker Barrel logo and Uncle Herschal mascot.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Cracker Barrel reports steepest traffic decline since botched rebrand

    Despite focusing on menu quality and value, the chain reported a 10% traffic drop nearly six months after it attempted to remove its iconic Uncle Herschel from its branding.

  • A close up image of three burritos from Del Taco.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Del Taco
    Image attribution tooltip

    Del Taco unveils 18-month turnaround plan

    Under its Project Sunrise roadmap, the chain will focus on quality and consistency of menu items, bold innovation to drive trial, expansion of catering and a more impactful loyalty program.

  • A chef prepares a seasonal Easter dish with pickeled egg dyed prupose and served with a watercress salad and olive oil dressing
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    How spring holidays can boost restaurant sales

    Savvy planning for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter visits can help restaurants recover after a challenging winter season.

  • McDonald's First Job Confessional
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of McDonald's
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s reality TV-inspired campaign turns kiosks into confessionals

    The social-heavy effort comes as the chain faces social media and competitor blowback for a video featuring its CEO.

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

    Starbucks to open Nashville corporate office

    The coffee chain will use the Tennessee location to support its ongoing growth efforts across the Southeast. 

  • An image of a Chili's sign with a red chili pepper.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chili’s CMO promoted to translate winning playbook to Brinker’s other brand

    George Felix will lead marketing for both Chili’s and Maggiano’s Little Italy, which has lagged behind its sister brand’s eye-popping run of sales growth.

  • A portrait of a person dressed in a suit in front of a gray background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of P.F. Chang's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Red Lobster hires former P.F. Chang’s CEO as CFO

    Brad Hill will oversee the chain’s finances and real estate strategy as it focuses on long-term growth.

    Updated March 3, 2026
  • Jack in the Box restaurant location
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Jack in the Box re-elects board, but chair will retire

    Shareholders approved a poison pill and re-elected the board, including David Goebel, despite a challenge from activist investor Sardar Biglari.

  • An image of a red and white building with Freddy's signage.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Freddy's
    Image attribution tooltip

    JRI Hospitality buys 43 Freddy’s restaurants

    The chain’s largest franchisee will operate more than one-fifth of its system following the purchase of Kansas-based HCI Hospitality.

  • A close upimage of a Papa Johns sign with red lettering and a white background. There is green trim around the sign.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Why Papa Johns is going back to basics in latest marketing shakeup

    The pizza chain has reestablished local marketing co-ops and plans to launch a creative platform in collaboration with new AOR Leo Chicago.

  • Wooden seats and tables inside a Cava. In the background there is a make line with digital menu boards.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Cava
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    Why are leading fast casuals primarily company owned?

    Franchising is the primary model for development in fast food, but different market dynamics prevail in fast casual.

  • An image of an interior restaurant with a order lane and seating area and orange, blue and white decor
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Schlotzsky's Deli
    Image attribution tooltip

    Schlotzsky’s rebrands, launches new prototype

    The chain’s latest store design features self-order kiosks, a designated pickup area and a smaller footprint to slash operating costs by up to 25%.

  • A Papa John's sign.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Joe Raedle / Staff via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Papa Johns plans CX upgrades following corporate cuts

    The pizza chain will enhance its app with an AI-powered food ordering agent in the coming quarter, CEO Todd Penegor said.

  • An image of two individuals with the one on the left wearing a blue suit. The person on the right is in black and white with a dark shirt on.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of GoTo Foods
    Image attribution tooltip

    GoTo Foods appoints Roark exec as CFO

    Brett Ubl becomes chief financial officer at the restaurant company, while Francisco Bram joins as chief growth officer as the company prepares for additional global expansion.

  • Papa Johns Cool Ranch Papadia sandwiches in various packaging and contexts.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Papa Johns
    Image attribution tooltip

    Papa Johns will drop Papadias, Papa Bites from menu

    While the two items drove incremental sales in past quarters, they can disrupt operational rhythm and create more complexities, CEO Todd Penegor said.

  • An image of a building with a sign that says "Sweetgreen."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
    Image attribution tooltip

    Sweetgreen may change its pricing after disaster quarter

    The salad chain suffered the worst quarter among major fast casual restaurants. It is now rethinking everything from core prices to its menu’s emphasis on bowls.

  • A marketing image for Burger King's reworked Whopper
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Burger King
    Image attribution tooltip

    Buns, bots and ad-buys: Burger King talks strategy at RBI investor day

    The years-long Reclaim the Flame program will continue with a renewed emphasis on core menu food quality and accelerated refranchising.

  • An image of Papa Johns sign on a store
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Papa Johns
    Image attribution tooltip

    Papa Johns will close 300 restaurants

    As part of its transformation, the chain will close units that are over 10 years old with AUVs under $600,000 and has already cut 7% of its corporate staff.

  • An image of a Jack in the Box restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    What’s at stake in Jack in the Box’s board battle with Biglari?

    If the activist investor prevents David Goebel’s re-election as chair, the board could still reappoint him, likely starting a long and expensive board battle.

  • IHOP pancakes
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of IHOP
    Image attribution tooltip

    IHOP promotes pancakes with low-tech aesthetics, experiential play

    In a tie-up with musician Mr. Fantasy, the chain is plastering high-traffic areas with old-school flyers reminiscent of the early internet. 

  • An image of various sandwiches, soups and salads from Panera.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Panera Bread
    Image attribution tooltip

    Panera debuts Mix & Match value menu

    Two years after introducing its Value Duets, the chain now offers 10 items for $4.99 as part of a strategy to improve its value proposition.

  • A sign marks the location of an Outback Steakhouse restaurant on November 02, 2021 in Skokie, Illinois.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Scott Olson / Staff via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Outback posts first traffic growth in 5 years

    New steaks improved guest satisfaction, and fresh investments in facilities, labor and marketing could help build the brand’s transaction momentum.