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
  • Three friends joyfully share pizza at a restaurant. A woman in focus smiles while holding a slice, conveying warmth and camaraderie in a casual setting.
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    Rokt

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    Sponsored by Rokt

    The QSR checkout moment is being wasted. Here’s the fix.

    Learn how leading QSR brands are turning their confirmation pages into a performance surface.

  • Messages opposing harsh immigration measures on a restaurant's door.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    What independent restaurants want out of politics in 2026

    Immigration enforcement, high swipe fees, delivery commissions and a lack of market power threaten restaurant margins, said the Independent Restaurant Coalition’s executive director.

  • Fiserv Clover point of sale CardFree mobile ordering payments
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    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
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    Dunkin’ owner Inspire Brands files for an IPO

    The company’s sprawling brand portfolio, ranging from sports bars to breakfast QSRs, could help insulate it from downturns within restaurant subsectors.

  • A photograph of various hamburgers and nuggets from Wendy’s.
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    Courtesy of Wendy’s
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    Wendy’s bets order accuracy and clean stores will revive sales

    A 7.8% drop in comparable sales is pressuring the chain to draw consumers back, as Burger King and McDonald’s have seen gains in recent quarters.

  • Overly busy restaurant
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    Getty Images
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    The restaurant labor market in 6 key statistics

    Turnover has fluctuated over the last year, while total jobs and wage growth are relatively slow and unemployment has returned to pre-pandemic rates.

    Updated May 11, 2026
  • An 18-wheeler drives down a highway. The cab of the truck is dark blue and the trailer has writing on the side that says "McLane. Food & Service drive us."
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    Courtesy of Aurora Innovation
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    McLane expanding driverless truck runs in Texas

    The supplier is automating long-haul transport between Dallas and Houston, with additional routes focused on restaurants to be added later this year.

  • An interior of a restaurant with signs that say Applebee's and IHOP
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    Permission granted by Dine Brands
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    Dine Brands focuses on new unit growth, dual-brand expansion

    The company more than doubled its new unit count during the first quarter, driven by dual-branded openings, relocations and single-concept openings at Applebee’s and IHOP.

  • People walking in front of a Sweetgreen on Aug.8, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Sweetgreen sales wilt in another punishing quarter

    The brand launched wraps to supplement its core bowl and salad business, following its worst quarterly same-store sales performance.

  • 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.

  • A Chuck E. Cheese sign.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    CEC Entertainment adds Texas Roadhouse vet as CFO

    Chris Monroe will oversee the finance and real estate teams for Chuck E. Cheese’s parent company as it looks to expand.

  • A photograh of a beige stone building with four windows out front. It has a yello face and while McDonald's logo.
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    Neal McNeil via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s value, menu innovation drive positive Q1 comparable sales

    Traffic could build in the U.S. with the second-quarter launch of an Under $3 Menu and beverage expansion.

  • An image of two pan pizzas in front of a green background. On the right is a green pizza box.
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    Permission granted by Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns suffers major 6.4% comp sales drop

    The chain hopes new menu items, operational improvements and local advertising cooperatives can fend off Domino’s value offensive.

  • A picture of a hand giving a iced coffee drink to another person.
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    Permission granted by Dutch Bros
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    How Dutch Bros doubled its brand awareness in 18 months

    Mobile ordering, loyalty upgrades, a new breakfast menu and increased density in key markets accelerated sales growth for the brand.

  • An image of a person smiling and wearing a blue blazer and white shirt
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    Courtesy of Shake Shack
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    Shake Shack appoints former Portillo’s CFO as it finance chief

    Michelle Hook will oversee financial operations at the fast casual chain as it works toward reaching 1,500 units.

  • A rendering of a Subway restaurant with tables and green walls.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway closed at least 729 stores in 2025

    This marks the beleaguered chain’s steepest decline since 2021, driven by oversaturation and a low average unit volume.

  • Refuel
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    Permission granted by Refuel Operating Company
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    Refuel to open its first Whataburger

    The South Carolina-based retailer will debut the burger QSR adjacent to an upcoming c-store in Kenedy, Texas, later this year.

  • A marketing image for Burger King's reworked Whopper
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    Burger King’s sales jumped, Popeyes slumped in Q1

    Years of investment in the burger brand’s operations and menu have won consumers back, but a loss of focus on service and the core menu hurt the chicken chain.

  • An evening shot of a building with white and red coloring and signage that says "Portillo's."
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s CFO departs

    Michelle Hook will pursue another opportunity after serving in her position for five years and playing an important role in Portillo’s 2021 IPO.

  • A bucket of chicken tenders, nuggets and french fries.
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    KFC expands $10 bucket deal across weekdays

    The brand is positioning the bucket deals as a value-oriented solution for weekday dinners, which could help it drive traffic.

  • Two people walk towards a Taco Bell restaurant
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Taco Bell grows loyalty and digital sales

    The brand’s loyalty program is resonating with consumers and driving them to engage with the brand more frequently, Yum Brands CEO said.

  • 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 wraps join core menu

    This move strengthens the chain’s snacking offerings and could help it capture more occasions as it struggles to improve sluggish sales.

  • A concept image of a chicken restaurant.
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    Courtesy of Huey Magoo's
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    Huey Magoo’s cuts drive-thru build costs by 40%

    The regional chicken tender chain is looking to increase the flexibility of its real estate development strategy.

  • A photograph of a window with two posters that say McCafe.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s updates McCafé branding ahead of beverage expansion

    The chain updated the font style and coloring on its McCafé cups to better showcase its forthcoming crafted sodas, refreshers and energy drinks.

  • An exterior image of a Shake Shack restaurant
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack’s tech chief forges a practical AI strategy

    CITO Justin Mennen is prioritizing efficiency with a mix of enterprise-built and custom AI products.

  • A photograph of a beige brick building with a sign that says Culver's
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    krblokhin via Getty Images
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    Culver’s to add computer vision to 1K restaurants

    Through a partnership with Berry AI, the fast food chain will use the technology to measure service execution, vehicle flow and throughput to improve accuracy and speed of service.