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

    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
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    Allie Beau

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    Sponsored by Schweid & Sons

    4 generations, 1 legendary burger

    “Every time someone eats a Schweid & Sons burger,” Jamie says, “they taste 4 generations of dedication.”

  • The Panda Express storefront in Hell's Kitchen, New York City.
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    "Hells Kitchen, NYC" by Ajay Suresh is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Panda Express to pay $1M in California carbon dioxide settlement

    A lawsuit in Riverside County alleged the brand failed to adequately train staff in handling potentially hazardous materials related to soda fountains.

  • An image of a brick building with red Chick-fil-A signage
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Chick-fil-A shifts away from licensed non-traditional model

    The chain will move most of its roughly 400 licensed locations to an owner-operator model, allowing guests to access its app and loyalty program.

  • A bright pink restaurant interior with big digital display signs.
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    KFC’s Saucy to open 3 more units

    The expansion signals Yum Brands sees the drinks- and tenders-focused concept as an important part of its KFC turnaround.

  • A photograph of a person in a button down shirt smiling at the camera.
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    Courtesy of Velvet Taco
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    Velvet Taco hires former Starbucks exec as CEO

    Chris Schultz joins the chain after serving as CEO at Voodoo Doughnut and will oversee the 50-unit fast casual brand’s expansion into new markets.

  • An image of a Twin Peaks restaurant with wooden exteriors.
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    Permission granted by Twin Peaks
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    Fat Brands’ bank turns up the heat

    The company’s bank declared another $169 million in debt issued by a subsidiary to be payable in full and immediately, escalating its debt problems.

  • An image of while building with a brick facade and a logo that says "Noodles & Company."
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    JHVEPhoto via Getty Images
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    Activist investor takes stake in Noodles & Company

    Galloway Capital Partners acquired a 6% stake in the beleaguered chain, which is seeking strategic alternatives including selling part, or all, of its business.

  • A spread of White Castle's Love Kit offering for Valentine's Day.
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    Courtesy of White Castle
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    White Castle debuts burger kiosk at Boston Logan Airport

    The automated kiosk gives the chain, which has long embraced new technologies, a toehold in New England with which to build brand awareness.

    Updated Dec. 3, 2025
  • An image of a person smiling at the camera. The person is wearing a suit.
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    Permission granted by GoTo Foods
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    GoTo Foods appoints CEO

    Former Albertsons executive Omer Gajial succeeds Jim Holthouser, who retired on Tuesday after six years as GoTo Foods’ CEO.

    Updated Dec. 2, 2025
  • A person smiles while wearing a gray suit jacker and pink dotted blouse.
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    Courtesy of Jersey Mike's
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    Jersey Mike’s appoints Wyndham exec as CFO

    Michele Allen, who has over 20 years of experience, will be instrumental in guiding the sandwich chain through its next phase of growth.

  • People sit in a coffee shop.
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    Adam Gray via Getty Images
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    Starbucks to pay $39M in New York City labor settlement

    New York City alleged the company violated its Fair Workweek rules upwards of 500,000 times between 2021 and 2024.

    Updated Dec. 3, 2025
  • A large sign that says Texas Roadhouse in front of a blue sky.
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    chapin31 via Getty Images
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    Texas Roadhouse hires Yum Brands vet as CFO

    Mike Lenihan joins the casual dining chain after two years at CKE Restaurants and over 20 years at Yum Brands.

  • Burger King's Spongebob collaboration
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    Burger King’s CMO on how a ‘SpongeBob’ collab cuts across generations

    The partnership follows a summer campaign with “How To Train Your Dragon” that drove the chain’s best kids meal sales in more than a decade.

  • An image of a storefront with Auntie Anne's and Jamba branding
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    Permission granted by Focus Brands
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    GoTo Foods CEO steps down

    Jim Holthouser led the multi-brand platform through a series of changes that aimed to position it as a franchisor of choice within the restaurant industry.

  • A Subway restaurant interior with white and green countertops and digital menu boards.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway resurrects Sub Club after 20 years

    Consumers who buy three footlong sandwiches earn a fourth one free, offering a major discount for value-conscious customers. 

  • A daytime photograph of a building with a stone facade and a large red sign that says "Red Robin." The parking lot in front of the building is empty.
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    Brett_Hondow via Getty Images
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    Red Robin hires former Bloomin’ Brands exec as interim CFO

    Christopher Meyer, who previously served as CFO for Bloomin’, will replace Todd Wilson, who resigns on Dec. 12 to join BJ’s Restaurants. 

  • Exterior of a grocery store.
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    Getty Images
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    Wegmans adds Hot Bowls to foodservice lineup

    The grocer’s new program allows people to order signature bowls or create their own with fresh proteins and other ingredients.

  • A hand drops sauce from a spoon onto plates of food.
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    Getty Images
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    Toast: Solo dining reservations jumped 22% in Q3

    Data shows a shift toward the breakfast daypart and weekdays, but weekend dinner occasions still comprise the bulk of full-service reservations.

  • Exterior of a supermarket with a sign that says "Coborn's Market & Table."
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    Courtesy of Roers Companies
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    New Coborn’s store to focus on in-store dining

    The grocer is working with a pair of restaurateurs to develop a restaurant and a food court at a location set to open next year in suburban Minneapolis.

  • A picture of the interior of a coffeehouse.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks anticipates Gen Z Thanksgiving traffic surge

    A whopping 70% of the cohort plans to visit a coffeehouse over the holiday, a trend the chain hopes to capitalize on through its renewed on-premise focus.

  • An exterior image of a Shake Shack restaurant
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack CFO to step down

    The chain has remade much of its C-suite since hiring Rob Lynch as CEO in 2024, and will set up a new financial operations office as Katie Fogerty departs.

  • A Cracker Barrel sign hangs on the outside of a restaurant.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Cracker Barrel CEO survives ouster attempt, board shrinks

    Sardar Biglari’s latest jab at the casual chain’s leadership failed to remove CEO Julie Masino, but succeeded in ousting board member Gilbert Dávila.

  • A photo of the interior of Sadie's diner.
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    Permission granted by Paragon Solutions
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    4 c-stores turning up the heat on breakfast

    From Kwik Trip’s in-house bakeries to Wawa’s LTOs, convenience stores nationwide are capitalizing on the buoyant breakfast market.

  • An image of a beige building wiht both Fatburger and Round Table Pizza signage
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    Fat Brands risks bankruptcy as lenders demand payment on $1.3B debt

    The restaurant company defaulted on its obligations earlier this year and lacks the cash to pay its creditors up front, according to an SEC filing.

  • An arm reaches out of a gray car to collect a bag of food while an employee with blue gloves hands off the bag.
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    Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Speed isn’t enough anymore. Why QSR brands need to dial up the emotion.

    Chains need to focus on experiences, rituals and spaces that foster connection, writes Lotte van Uum, creative director of spatial design at FutureBrand.