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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 -
Kikkoman Sales USA / Canva
Sponsored by Kikkoman Sales USA, Inc.Grilling trends: How restaurants are mastering direct heat and bold glazes
Bold KBBQ flavor meets fast-fire heat. Free Kikkoman® samples coming Sept 2026!
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Wendy’s new CEO pushes for experience consistency as part of turnaround
The company hasn’t “consistently delivered the experience customers expect from Wendy's,” CEO Bob Wright said. To fix that problem, he is looking at operations.
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Courtesy of McDonald's
McDonald’s rolls out Red Bull energy drinks
The addition could help boost traffic, particularly during the afternoon daypart.
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Courtesy of Domino's Pizza
Domino’s adds rectangular personal pizza
The Detroit-style pizza, dubbed the Domino, will help the brand capture meal occasions ranging from afternoon snacks to midnight meals.
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Courtesy of Moe's Southwest Grill
Why a major Moe’s operator filed for bankruptcy
Quality Fresca spent years stabilizing its business post-COVID, but inflation and consumer shifts in 2025 undid the 38-store franchisee’s work.
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Kevin Frayer via Getty Images
McDonald’s USA appoints chief restaurant officer
Patrick Gerber, who has worked at McDonald’s for over 25 years, is tasked with improving restaurant operations and standards.
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Permission granted by First Watch
Inside First Watch’s ‘spend more to earn more’ strategy
Despite increased marketing, food and development costs, the chain is seeing an uptick in sales, revenue and opportunities to reach new customers.
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wdstock via Getty Images
Gen Restaurant Group mulls $100M offer for its BBQ chain
Selling its restaurant business would allow Gen to pivot to CPG, where it can grow with lower development expenditure.
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Getty Images
Toast aims to drive AI into dining
Most restaurants don’t have time to leverage AI tools, Toast executives say, anticipating profit from helping operators reap efficiencies.
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Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
Some Wendy’s franchisees cut breakfast, and it’s hurting traffic
The brand is trying to improve the daypart, which now represents roughly 5% of sales compared to 8% in Q2 2020, as part of a broader menu review.
Updated Aug. 10, 2026 -
Courtesy of QDOBA
Jalapeños served at Qdoba, Chipotle tied to Salmonella outbreak
Both chains stopped serving potentially contaminated peppers after hundreds of consumers across 27 states fell ill.
Updated Aug. 10, 2026 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Wendy’s CEO moving with ‘urgency’ to revamp brand
Robert Wright, who rejoined the chain in May, is already drafting a strategy that will focus on menu, marketing, digital, operations and restaurants to improve the chain’s sales and traffic.
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David Ryder via Getty Images
Starbucks targets 24-hour inventory replenishment
The effort comes after the coffeehouse chain pulled the plug on an AI-powered inventory management tool after nine months.
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Courtesy of Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen says turnaround is working, despite soft sales
Improvements in value perception, transactions and throughput were derailed by worries about Cyclospora, though the brand doesn’t serve iceberg lettuce.
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Courtesy of Portillo's
Portillo’s cuts 18% of corporate workforce
The July 31 reduction was meant to simplify its corporate structure to allow for better focus, nimbler operations and improved restaurant-level support.
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Permission granted by Salad and Go
What led to Salad and Go’s downfall
The fast casual chain faced significant expenses following an aggressive expansion. It also suffered from wilting demand and was unable to sell itself prior to filing for Chapter 11.
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Duane Prokop via Getty Images
Taco Bell, Taylor Farms Cyclospora case count hits 6K
The vast majority of the individuals sickened in the outbreak fell ill before Taco Bell and Taylor Farms removed potentially contaminated lettuce.
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Permission granted by Salad and Go
Dutch Bros buys 65 former Salad and Go units
The coffee chain will convert units in Arizona, Nevada, Oklahoma and Texas as part of its strategy to reach 2,029 units in 2029.
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Courtesy of Papa Johns
Papa Johns changes CMOs, ramps up mass marketing amid struggles
CMO Jenna Bromberg will depart as the chain appoints a global marketer and plans to rebalance its media mix and continue to invest in marketing co-ops.
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Kelly Stroh/Restaurant Dive
Bain Capital buys Gong cha bubble tea chain
The private equity firm will assume control of a 2,200-unit global chain, with at least 240 stores in the U.S.
Updated Aug. 5, 2026 -
Courtesy of 7 Brew
7 Brew debuts app, overhauls loyalty system
The new app could aid the coffee brand’s growth by driving sales and raising the quality and volume of consumer data it collects.
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Burger King sales surge, but Popeyes faces uphill battle
While Burger King’s revival has gained momentum in recent months, Popeyes has continued to struggle despite its turnaround efforts — but RBI has hope for the chicken chain’s sluggish sales.
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Permission granted by Salad and Go
Salad and Go files for Ch. 11, closes 70 stores
The salad chain said it faced ongoing pressure on consumer demand, including an indirect impact from the Cyclospora outbreak.
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Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Chipotle pulls some jalapeños over Salmonella concerns
The brand, which has a long history of food safety scares, said its ingredient tracking system identified a batch of peppers that may have been affected.
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Courtesy of Portillo's
Portillo’s hires Olive Garden finance exec as CFO
Kevin Kalicak, who has spent nearly 30 years at Darden, will join the fast casual chain on Sept. 7, succeeding Michelle Hook.
