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
  • Overly busy restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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 Feb. 11, 2026
  • a closeup of a restaurant worker using a tablet
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    3 restaurant brands tap tech chiefs to scale operations

    Chuck E. Cheese’s parent company and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers added IT chiefs to their ranks in recent weeks.

  • An image of three protein bowls from Sweetgreen
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Sweetgreen
    Image attribution tooltip

    Limited-service restaurants are losing traffic to grocers and casual chains

    QSR and fast casual chains will need to improve holistic value and on-premise experiences to bring people back, Placer.ai’s R.J. Hottovy says.

  • A close up image of a red sign that says Fatburger
    Image attribution tooltip
    Wirestock via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    ‘Personal attack’: Fat Brands cries foul over plan to oust CEO

    The Fatburger owner admitted to making a mistake in selling shares of Twin Hospitality without court approval, but argued the call for Andrew Wiederhorn’s removal should be denied.

  • Bambu drink counter inside Walmart's Batavia, Illinois store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Bambu
    Image attribution tooltip

    Walmart links up with Vietnamese beverage restaurant

    The retailer continues to grow its roster of in-store quick-service restaurant offerings with the opening of a drink station inside an Illinois store. 

  • The Instacart logo is displayed on a computer monitor.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Toast, Instacart launch just-in-time supply tool

    Restaurants will be able to place Instacart Business orders through Toast’s platforms, offering a stopgap option when unexpected supply chain issues hit.

  • A photograph of a person with a blue suit
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of HTeaO
    Image attribution tooltip

    HTeaO appoints Darden vet as CFO

    Chris Phillips, who also worked at Popeyes, will oversee finance and strategic planning as the Texas-based drive-thru chain grows past 150 units.

  • An image of TGI Fridays signage with red and white stripes
    Image attribution tooltip
    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Inside TGI Fridays’ ambitious path to 1K units by 2030

    CEO Ray Blanchette said the chain has signed 150 agreements within the past six months, and franchisees are excited to grow again. 

  • An image of a person wearing a suit with arms crossed and smiling. The person is in front of a wall with news clips in the background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Fat Brands
    Image attribution tooltip

    Fat Brands CEO Andy Wiederhorn faces ouster by lenders

    The chief executive’s on-again-off-again tenure at Fat is under threat after a sale of Twin Hospitality stock, which creditors allege was irregular.

  • A photogrph of a bricked building with a white sign that says Bob Evans.
    Image attribution tooltip
    jetcityimage via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Golden Gate Capital sells Bob Evans Restaurants

    Unit count declined over the past six years at the family dining chain, but new owner 4x4 Capital plans to maximize the brand’s long-term growth potential.

  • Starbucks logo on building exterior
    Image attribution tooltip
    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks beats Missouri AG’s lawsuit targeting DEI programs

    The state said it will continue to “aggressively” pursue the case, however.

  • Sweetgreen's catering bar set out on a table over a green carpet.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
    Image attribution tooltip

    Sweetgreen launches ‘Build Your Own’ catering bar

    The brand is the latest fast casual to see large-format catering as a lifeline, but operational problems could undercut the bid to secure big ticket orders.

  • A view of a Taco Bell restaurant on February 06, 2025 in Dublin, California.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Taco Bell operators settle claims that harasser’s conduct went unchecked for months

    Restaurant industry employers have a particular duty to protect young workers, a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regional attorney said.

  • An image of several specialty drinks from Taco Bell's Live Mas Cafe lined up on a white counter top.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Taco Bell/Diversified Restaurant Group
    Image attribution tooltip

    How Yum is adapting Taco Bell’s playbook for KFC

    The parent company has worked to align the strategies between the two QSR brands to bring some of Taco Bell’s success to the chicken chain.

  • McDonald's is promoting Luis Quintiliano, its managing director in Spain, to lead its US field operations.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of McDonald's
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s appoints field, finance execs

    In addition to the naming Luis Quintiliano as U.S. field president, the Golden Arches is rotating responsibilities between two finance executives.

  • A photograph of a gray sign with a red box inside with white letters that says "Jack" under the box it says "in the box."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Jack in the Box goes on defense in Biglari proxy battle

    The fast food chain is urging shareholders to reject an attempt from the activist investor to unseat the board chair.

  • A sign on a Chipotle restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle spends more on marketing amid search for ‘unicorn’ CMO

    The fast casual chain plans to better support its marketing with targeted media as it looks to reverse negative sales growth.

  • An exterior image of a Pizza Hut with bricks and red signage
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Yum Brands/Pizza Hut
    Image attribution tooltip

    Pizza Hut to close 250 stores

    About 4% of the chain’s U.S. store system will close during the first half of this year as Yum Brands continues a strategic review of the ailing QSR.

  • Several Chipotle items with the brand's version of chicken al pastor.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chipotle
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle adopts new growth plan as sales slide

    The chain will increase the cadence of LTOs, boost menu innovation, relaunch its rewards program and accelerate unit growth.

  • An image of a person in a suit standing in front of blurred arcade games.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of CEC Entertainment
    Image attribution tooltip

    CEC Entertainment names CEO amid expansion push

    CFO Scott Drake will become CEO and president of the eatertainment giant beginning Feb. 13, succeeding David McKillips, who has served in the post since 2020.

    Updated Feb. 3, 2026
  • An image of a person wearing a black blazer and holding a phone up.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Fogo de Chao
    Image attribution tooltip

    Fogo de Chão deploys AI phone system

    The full-service chain has been leaning heavily on artificial intelligence to manage various elements of its operations to enhance the guest experience.

  • A night image of a sign that says Bahama Breeze
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by Krista is licensed under CC BY 2.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    Darden to wind down Bahama Breeze

    After considering strategic alternatives, Darden has decided to shutter 14 Bahama Breeze stores and convert another 14 to different brands.

  • A daytime photo of a light brown building. It has a black sign that says "Sonny's BBQ Local Pitmasters Since '68"
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Sonny's BBQ on February 03, 2026
    Image attribution tooltip

    Sonny’s BBQ returns to franchised growth

    A year after hiring George McAllan as chief growth officer, the chain is ready to begin engaging with new operators as part of its expansion strategy.

  • George Clooney in Grubhub's Super Bowl ad
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Grubhub
    Image attribution tooltip

    Grubhub — and George Clooney — make Super Bowl debuts to ‘eat the fees’

    The delivery platform promotes a new offer to remove delivery and service fees on restaurant orders over $50 in an oddball ad directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.