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
  • Foods with flavor bubbles toppings
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    Permission granted by The Culinary Institute of America
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    Sponsored by KIKKOMAN SALES USA, INC.

    The science of spherification: 3 key takeaways from the ‘Year of the Sphere’

    Discover how spherification is evolving into an essential tool for the modern kitchen.

  • Five premium soft drinks developed by Pepsi for deployment at Saucy by KFC.
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    Courtesy of Pepsi
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    KFC’s Saucy adds premium Pepsi Drips products

    The chicken chain’s tender-focused spinoff is getting four new beverages that combine soda with premium ingredients like blue raspberry boba.

  • An image of arms holding up drinks with a Mixue store in the background
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    Courtesy of Mixue
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    How international restaurant brands are reshaping the US market

    Luckin Coffee, Mixue and other chains are winning over consumers with digital-first operations and experiential dining experiences.

  • An image of a black sign with a yellow star and workding that says Carl's Jr drive thru
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    Walter Cicchetti via Getty Images
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    Major Carl’s Jr franchisee in California files for bankruptcy

    A 65-unit operator filed for Chapter 11 protections under various subsidiaries after owning the sites for more than two decades. 

    Updated April 7, 2026
  • Three Starbucks mango strawberry refreshers on a table.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks launches highly-caffeinated refreshers

    With an extra 75 milligrams of caffeine compared to the regular versions of its refreshers, Starbucks’ new drinks widen the brand’s range of beverages.

  • A daytime photogrpah of a white building that has an orange sign that says Popeyes Louisina Kitchen
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    Walter Cicchetti via Getty Images
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    Popeyes dodges lawsuit over fingerprint scans, but court leaves door open for redo

    The chain allegedly violated Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act, a law that has led to several high-profile settlements.

  • An image of a black building with windows and The Cheesecake Factory signage.
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    Maddie Meyer via Getty Images
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    The Cheesecake Factory, Chick-fil-A leads AUVs among major restaurant chains

    Pizza brands, sandwich chains and beverage concepts tended to have weaker average unit volumes than casual dining brands and chicken QSRs in 2025, according to Circana’s data.

  • A photo of a person walking in front of a store holding a chicken sandwich.
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    Frozen drinks and fresh flavors emerge as c-store retailers prep for spring

    Pilot also added two new food programs, Stinker rolled out pizza rolls and Love’s debuted pesto-forward items as part of a rotating menu.

  • A picture of Burger King signs.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Burger King to hire 60K workers as part of turnaround

    Investment in menu items, marketing and renovations have helped the chain bring in customers. Now it needs the workers to serve them.

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    Getty Images
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    The restaurant labor market in 6 key statistics

    Employment has returned to pre-pandemic levels, while job and wage growth remained relatively slow over the past year.

    Updated April 3, 2026
  • A collage of Coke pairings at QSR chains
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    Courtesy of Coca-Cola
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    Coca-Cola reasserts fast food dominance over Pepsi in new campaign

    For the first time, the soda giant is bringing together more than a dozen QSRs to demonstrate how diverse customers are united by their drink orders.

  • A Starbucks barista hands a customer a coffee
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks adds performance bonuses for frontline workers

    Baristas and shift supervisors could see $300 quarterly bonuses starting in July, while Starbucks is expanding tipping across ordering channels.

    Updated April 3, 2026
  • An image of a McDonald's with a playplace
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    M. Suhail via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s sets date for Under $3 Menu debut

    The value menu, which launches April 21, will include at least 10 items and builds on the chain’s strategy of boosting traffic with low-priced items.

  • An image of a gray building with a white logo that says "Shake Shack"
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack will overhaul its tech with focus on AI, loyalty

    The fast casual burger brand hopes a new rewards system, modernized point-of-sale platform and AI-backed operational analytics will aid its growth.

  • The exterior of a Dave & Buster's restaurant.
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    Brandon Bell / Staff via Getty Images
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    Dave & Buster’s CEO: Guest experience ‘can never exceed’ staff experience

    The chain is reducing turnover, increasing engagement and “fostering a collaborative culture” among employees to drive traffic, Tarun Lal said.

  • An image of a McDonald's sign
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    JillianCain via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s creates US COO role

    Skye Anderson will return to McDonald’s USA after serving as president of the chain’s global business services for three years.

  • An image of a brick restaurant with white signage that says "Pizza Inn"
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    The image by Rsa182 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    Why Rave Restaurant Group cut ties with Uber Eats

    Pizza Inn’s owner said the chain is focusing on dine-in traffic through value offerings instead of increasing volume through unprofitable orders.

    Updated April 1, 2026
  • A Firehouse Subs location
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    TennesseePhotographer via Getty Images
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    How Firehouse Subs is leveraging franchise incentives to speed up growth

    RBI’s smallest chain wants to speed up openings and fill in key U.S. markets, with bonuses targeting strong operators and multi-unit development.

  • An image of a small restaurant with people gathered around. Thereis 7 Brew signage.
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    Permission granted by 7 Brew
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    7 Brew will open its first college location in the fall

    The fast growing coffee chain’s non-traditional walk-thru locations at high-traffic retailers and universities could help it strengthen its on-premise experience.

  • A spread of KFC items including sandwiches, snackers, nuggets, fries and drinks.
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    KFC mimics Taco Bell in latest value play

    The $7, $9 and $11 Value Feast Boxes can offer significant discounts — almost reaching 50% — according to a Restaurant Dive analysis.

  • An image of three iced coffees with a sky blue background
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    Permission granted by IHOP
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    IHOP expands value platform, launches proprietary coffee

    The menu updates are part of the chain’s strategy to drive traffic with wallet-friendly offers and boost check averages with premium items.

  • Nestle, sparkling water, caffeine
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    Courtesy of Nestle
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    How c-stores are capitalizing on Americans’ caffeine obsession

    Convenience stores are uniquely set up to meet consumers’ increasing appetite for the stimulant, from deeper beverage selections to snacks and energy shots, experts say.

  • An evening image of a restaurant
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    Permission granted by First Watch
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    First Watch cuts its COO

    As part of an operations leadership restructure, the company let Dan Jones go on Friday after he served four years in that position.

  • Three toasted sandwiches and a small cup of Papa Johns garlic sauce on a white table in front of a green background.
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns launches toasted sandwich lineup

    Under pressure from Domino’s growing market share, Papa Johns launched a new menu category that could expand its reach across consumer cohorts.

  • Zaxbys first Arizona unit, a restaurant with white walls and blue awnings
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    Courtesy of Zaxbys
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    Zaxbys appoints GoTo Foods exec as CFO

    Michael Dixon will oversee the chain’s financial strategy, planning and analytics and accounting and treasury as it continues to expand beyond 1,000 units.