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Tracking the same-store sales of 21 major restaurant chains
Major publicly traded restaurant chains had a strange Q2 for comps growth, from Chili’s 23% jump to Sweetgreen’s 7.6% shortfall.
Updated Aug. 18, 2025 -
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Sponsored by RoktGen Z vs. Gen X: Winning both generations at the QSR checkout
Catering to rival tastes? The checkout is where QSRs can personalize for every customer.
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Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks stanches the same-store sales bleeding
Comparable sales growth was driven by an increase in average ticket, but investments in service helped turn U.S. transactions positive in September.
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Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle faces worrying consumer headwinds
Despite consumer pullback and a value advantage over fast casual competitors, CEO Scott Boatwright said “value as a price point is not and will not be a Chipotle strategy.”
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Courtesy of P.F. Chang's
P.F. Chang’s CMO on igniting a new brand platform, holiday campaign
Sonika Patel explains how the chain is centering the dining experience with a “Light the Fire” platform and seasonal push on digital and CTV.
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Chili’s dramatic sales growth continues with 13% traffic jump
Chili’s marketing, which sets the chain in direct price competition with QSRs, delivered a sixth-straight quarter of double-digit same-store sales growth.
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Courtesy of Zaxbys
Zaxbys eyes non-traditional growth following first military base deal
Non-traditional locations could help complement Zaxbys’ growing international footprint and add more high-volume units to the chain’s system.
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Courtesy of Taco Bell
Taco Bell brings Live Más Café to Texas
A Taco Bell with a Live Más Café in Irvine, California, that opened in September is already selling upwards of 900 drinks a day.
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Permission granted by Kwik Trip
Making food in house: The business case for c-store commissaries
Retailers like EG America, Weigel’s and Kwik Trip have built their own facilities to control the quality and consistency of their foodservice programs — and the payoffs are compelling.
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Majority of US diners think menu prices are too high
Buy-one-get-one offers as well as discounts are among the top incentives helping drive guests back to restaurants, according to a YouGov report.
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Permission granted by Qdoba
These 5 chains built significant franchised pipelines
From Cilantro Taco Grill to PopUp Bagels, emerging chains plan to add hundreds of units and expand rapidly across the country with new operators.
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Courtesy of Inspire
Inspire hires Yum vet to lead HR operations
Kelly McCulloch brings over two decades of QSR HR experience to her new position, where she will oversee a global system that includes 650,000 workers.
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Permission granted by McDonald's
Toast: Burger, burrito, cold brew prices on the rise
Football season staples like beer and wings saw slower price increases, which could play to the advantage of casual chains, according to a Toast analysis.
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Permission granted by OpenTable
OpenTable relaunches loyalty program
Diners unlock Gold status after completing six reservations during a 12-month period, gaining access to six-months free of Uber One and priority status for last-minute reservations.
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Permission granted by GSP Retail
Rebel brings Hatch Chicken QSR to the Midwest
The restaurant opened last month inside a 4,700-square-foot Rebel c-store in Romeoville, Illinois, about 35 miles southwest of downtown Chicago.
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Duane Prokop via Getty Images
Taco Bell says education benefits have driven retention
The chain is also emphasizing internal promotion of managers and area coaches through a training program meant to improve employees’ career paths.
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Andrew Burton via Getty Images
Potbelly promotes COO to president following RaceTrac buyout
Adam Noyes has become president of the sandwich chain while CEO Bob Wright will remain in his post through the end of the year.
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Hospitality guests’ No. 1 AI concern: the loss of human touch
“When consumers express concern about losing the human touch in hospitality, they aren’t rejecting the technology; they’re rejecting cold service,” Reputation’s Liz Carter said.
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Courtesy of Ascent Hospitality Management
Ascent Hospitality appoints CEO
Paul Damico, former Fuzzy’s Taco CEO, succeeds Jim O’Reilly as the restaurant company embarks on its next growth phase, which could include more brand acquisitions.
Updated Oct. 23, 2025 -
Permission granted by SeoulSpice
SeoulSpice expands C-suite ahead of national growth
The Korean food chain brought on four fast casual vets to lead operations, marketing, finance and development.
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Courtesy of Grubhub
Grubhub, Wonder test robotic delivery in New Jersey
The aggregator is looking to grow its autonomous delivery operations outside of college campuses, starting with a pilot program with Avride at a Wonder location in New Jersey.
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Jessica Loder/Restaurant Dive
Wawa increases coffee program customization
Customers can use ordering touchscreens in stores to control how much milk, sweeteners and flavors they add to their beverages.
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Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks poised to hire around 8K assistant mangers
The chain is testing the assistant manager role — a step between hourly shift supervisor and salaried manager — at 62 stores to fine-tune the position before expanding it to nearly all U.S. and Canadian stores.
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Courtesy of Yelp
Yelp adds AI Host and Receptionist to restaurant toolbox
The customizable solutions can answer diner questions, ask follow-ups and book reservations, reflecting restaurant interest in voice technology.
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Permission granted by Layne's Chicken Fingers
Layne’s Chicken Fingers signs agreements for 68 stores
Layne’s is the latest brand to bet on chicken fever and franchising to catapult it to national status — but the competitive landscape may be shifting.
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Brandon Bell / Staff via Getty Images
Pizza Hut operator to close 68 UK stores
DC London Pie has entered administration to manage its debt, but Yum Brands will continue to run 64 of the operator’s locations.
