The Latest

  • An image of a man leaving a Chipotle. He is holding a brown bag.
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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
  • Throwing food waste
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    seb_ra via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Craftable

    How much is invisible waste costing your restaurant?

    While most operators fret about increasing foot traffic and check size, there may be a surprising factor killing profits. And that’s restaurant waste.

  • A photograph of a purple Taco Bell logo on the side of a building.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Taco Bell traffic declines following diarrhea outbreak

    The outbreak also resulted in a drop in visits at other chains that serve salad, such as Sweetgreen, Chopt and Panera, according to Placer.ai data.

  • An image of a Taco Bell restaurant.
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    Getty Images
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    Taco Bell lettuce supplier linked to diarrhea outbreak

    Upwards of 1,600 people who contracted cyclosporiasis reported eating at the chain beforehand, the CDC and FDA said.

    Updated July 20, 2026
  • A Hardee's location
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    gsheldon via Getty Images
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    Hardee’s franchisee says old stores, high costs led to bankruptcy

    Superior Star said it absorbed significant, unexpected deferred maintenance expenses following its 2023 acquisition of scores of Hardee’s restaurants. 

  • Bouchon, Las Vegas
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    Inappropriate touching, unwanted spanking costs Las Vegas restaurant group $2M

    The court documents allege that Bouchon and the greater restaurant group failed to take appropriate action to prevent the harassment, even after receiving complaints.

  • A photograph of a selection of food items, including pepperoni pizza, chicken wings and burgers next to a green checkered back with wording that says Wonder The Cravings Expert.
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    Courtesy of Wonder
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    Wonder tops $9B valuation, raises $650M

    The food hall company will use the latest funding round to support its ongoing expansion, marketplace growth and technology investments.

  • A photogrpah of a brick walkway with building and storefronts around it. There are a handful of people in the middle walking around.
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    krblokhin via Getty Images
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    Suburban mixed-use developments offer more foot traffic, challenges

    Complexes with office and residential above retail can bring in guests and energy to restaurants, but the design and space may dictate their success.

  • An image of a drive-thru digital menu board with a Taco Bell restaurant with white and purple paint in the background.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell pulls some ingredients as cyclosporiasis outbreak grows

    The brand said its decision was a voluntary precaution and that no specific brand or restaurant has been confirmed as the source of the outbreak.

  • McDonald's Q1 Earnings Up On Higher Menu Prices, Overseas Growth
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s hires Nike vet as chief strategy officer

    Ugwechi Amadi will help the company bring its NEXT strategy to life and create new opportunities for growth, CFO Ian Borden said.

  • Casey's
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    Retrieved from Casey's.
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    How Casey’s keeps outperforming its c-store and QSR peers

    Executives and analysts credit a restaurant-style approach and steady execution for the retailer’s six years of positive inside same-store sales growth.

  • OpenAI's ChatGPT asks iPhone user for prompt
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Why restaurant AI setbacks aren’t the whole story

    AI tools that have a holistic view of restaurant operations can make operators more efficient, improve margins and even drive same-store sales growth, Par’s head of AI said.

  • Chipotle's first unit located in Mexico.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle expands into Mexico

    International growth will be an important objective for the chain going forward, and lessons from its Nuevo León location will inform further development.

  • A group of five people wear Pizza Hut merchandise while sitting on and standing around a wood bench in an urban area.
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    Courtesy of Pizza Hut
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    Pizza Hut serves up nostalgia with latest rewards program push

    The latest iteration of “Hut Originals” includes a value menu, a streetwear collection inspired by the brand’s classic uniforms and a mobile experience.

  • The image shows a row of drinks, including coffee and soda, available through Panera's Unlimited Sip Club
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    Courtesy of Panera
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    Panera adds limits to Sip Club beverage subscription

    Beginning Aug. 19, members can redeem 30 drinks per month, instead of an unlimited amount each month. 

  • A coffee shop employee prepares an order behind a counter.
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    Michael M. Santiago / Staff via Getty Images
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    Starbucks rolls out quarterly bonuses for high-performing workers

    The latest perks could help the chain attract and retain workers needed to sustain its turnaround drive. 

  • Zaxbys first Arizona unit, a restaurant with white walls and blue awnings
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    Courtesy of Zaxbys
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    Zaxbys debuts in New York

    The chicken tender brand’s New York City opening signals its ongoing national expansion, and comes as it emphasizes unit growth in new markets.

  • Two people walk towards a Taco Bell restaurant
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Some Michigan Taco Bells have stopped serving lettuce, cilantro amid parasite outbreak

    The Great Lakes State has reported over 2,000 cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic foodborne illness, but it’s not clear if the outbreak is tied to Taco Bell.

  • An image of a gray building with a black sign that says "&pizza"
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    Permission granted by &pizza
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    &pizza’s parent company hires CEO

    James O’Reilly, former CEO of Ascent Hospitality, joined Latitude Food Group two months after Mike Burns left to lead another chain.

  • A daytime photogrpah of a beige building with brick facade. It has a sign with a red and green background and white type that says Papa Murphy's Pizza.
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    ablokhin via Getty Images
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    MTY Group will close up to 50 Papa Murphy’s

    This move is part of a performance review of the parent company’s owned portfolio that identified 68 underperforming locations across multiple brands.

  • A Hardee's location on a sunny day.
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    RiverNorthPhotography via Getty Images
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    60-store Hardee’s operator files for bankruptcy

    Superior Star, which was formed in 2023, lost 32 units last year due to terminations or closures.

  • An exterior image of a Wonder food Hall
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    Permission granted by Wonder
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    Wonder plans another $600M funding round

    The food hall company has raised over $2.8 billion since 2021 and could file for an initial public offering as early as next year.

  • 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 July 10, 2026
  • A smiling white man in a black t-shirt in front of a pink background
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    Courtesy of Crumbl
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    Crumbl taps new tech chief amid leadership overhaul

    The dessert chain promoted Jacob Moncur to succeed CTO Bryce Redd, who spent more than eight years leading the chain’s tech strategy.

  • A photograph of a corner restuarant with Jersey Mike's Subs as signage.
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    KenWiedemann via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Jersey Mike’s IPO reflects growing investor appetite for restaurants

    Investors are anticipating strong valuations from the sandwich chain, especially after Black Rock Coffee’s successful 2025 debut.

    Updated July 9, 2026
  • An in-game avatar plays golf while wearing foil pants, a bucket hat and polo.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle drives rewards program with ‘PGA Tour 2K25’ integration

    The partnership is part of a larger golf strategy by the brand, which became an official sponsor of PGA Tour through a multiyear deal announced in January.