The Latest
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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 -
Permission granted by DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS
Sponsored by DIRECTV FOR BUSINESSTV customer experience matters year-round
When fans walk into a sports bar, they are not thinking about TV distribution models or technology transitions. They are there for the experience.
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Permission granted by Pressed Juicery
Pressed Juicery to open in 27 CloudKitchen locations
The juice brand, which has 100 company-owned locations and a robust consumer packaged goods business, will add this channel to expand into high-density areas.
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Illinois restaurants face more tip fees, for now
A federal court blocked the state's interchange fee ban. Delays to the law could cost local businesses $500 million a year, proponents say.
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M. Suhail via Getty Images
McDonald’s bets chicken, restaurant improvements will grow sales
The McDonald’s > NEXT plan focuses on improving food quality and taste, customer experiences, restaurant interiors and hospitality.
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Courtesy of Cafe Rio
Cafe Rio hires &pizza CEO after losing its way
Mike Burns will oversee an effort to return the fast casual Mexican chain to sales growth with speedy service, better food and cleaner restaurants.
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Permission granted by White Castle
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.
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atiatiati via Getty Images
Q&AHow 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.
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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.
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OpinionThe 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.
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CRobertson via Getty Images
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.
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Permission granted by DogHaus
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.
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Courtesy of Woworks
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.
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Courtesy of Portillo's
Portillo’s opens first airport unit
The nontraditional location signals ongoing investment in Texas, where Portillo’s had a disappointing 2025.
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Courtesy of Chipotle Mexican Grill
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.
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Courtesy of Dairy Queen
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.
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Courtesy of Wingstop
Wingstop launches loyalty program
Club Wingstop’s exclusive perks and experiences could help improve guest frequency and same-store sales growth.
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Permission granted by Tijuana Flats
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.
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jetcityimage via Getty Images
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.
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Courtesy of Chili's Grill & Bar
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 -
Sean Gallup via Getty Images
Deep DiveRestaurant 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.
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Courtesy of Church's Texas Chicken
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.
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Courtesy of Sweetgreen
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.
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Courtesy of Papa Johns
Q&APapa 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 -
Adam Gray via Getty Images
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.
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Permission granted by Smashburger
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.
