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  • An image of the Shake Shack logo on a window.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack rolls out digital menu boards, combos to speed up drive-thru

    The drive-thru efforts build on five consecutive quarters of improvements to speed of service and order accuracy.

  • Four customers wait in line at a fast food restaurant.
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    epicimages via Getty Images
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    Consumers expected to spend 7% less on restaurants this summer

    A majority of consumers, who are already feeling the pinch of inflation and shrinking incomes, expect tariffs to raise prices, a KPMG report finds. 

  • Three fast food beverages stand in line.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    McDonald’s to test expanded beverage menu this year

    Adding more items to its menu, including energy drinks and coffee, will help the chain compete with sector rivals and boost profitability.

  • An image ofa brick colored building with a logl of a red-headed girl with pigtails.
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    Courtesy of Wendy's
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    Wendy’s to deploy drive-thru AI to over 500 restaurants this year

    The chain has installed Fresh AI at over 160 units as part of its larger strategy to improve the customer experience.

  • A Starbucks barista hands a customer a coffee
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks’ employee, algorithm investments show signs of paying off

    Pilot programs last quarter proved workers, not equipment, are the key to solving Starbucks’ low throughput woes, according to CEO Brian Niccol.

  • A photograph of a red and yellow sign with a giant yellow "M" above a red box that says "McDonald's Billions Served."
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s US traffic slides due to economic uncertainty

    Low- and middle-income guests pulled back spending in Q1, but the chain expects improved performance from promotions and the launch of chicken strips.

  • In-game graphics on a Chipotle Roblox activation
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle brings trading card mania to Roblox with new experience

    Ingredient Quest capitalizes on renewed interest in games like Pokémon and card-pull social media videos of fans uncovering rare finds.

  • A beige building with a green sign and white lettering that says "Panera Bread."
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Panera is shuttering its dough facilities to speed up innovation

    The closures and transition to par-baked bread are part of a brand turnaround effort under its new CEO. 

  • An image of a pink sign that says "Saucy"
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    Permission granted by Saucy by KFC
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    Taco Bell sales surge, KFC will expand Saucy concept

    As Taco Bell succeeds in the U.S., KFC’s spinoff could replicate the Cantina strategy that Taco Bell has used to power its menu innovation.

  • People sit in a coffee shop.
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    Adam Gray via Getty Images
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    Starbucks suffers 5th quarter of falling comps

    The coffee chain will start cafe remodels to improve its coffeehouse feel in New York and Southern California later this year as its brand turnaround continues.

  • 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 promotes Taylor Wiederhorn to co-CEO

    Taylor Wiederhorn, the company’s chief development officer since 2017 and son of former CEO Andrew Wiederhorn, will work alongside Ken Kuick.

  • A smiling man in a blue windowpane check suit coat with a white dress shirt
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    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen hires Chipotle vet as COO

    Jason Cochran, who served as vice president of operations at Chipotle under Brian Niccol, could help Sweetgreen as it looks to establish itself as a clear segment leader.

  • Chili's Big Smasher cheeseburger accompanied by sides of chips, fries and cola on a wooden dining table
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    Permission granted by Chili's Grill & Bar
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    Chili’s notches 21% traffic surge

    The casual chain’s focus on value is driving success where rivals are lagging, with many competitors reporting sliding same-store sales. 

  • A waiter serves a table at a nice restaurant
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    Rawpixel via Getty Images
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    Fiserv ventures into high-end restaurants

    The payment processing giant’s point-of-sale platform Clover will begin catering to upscale dining establishments next month.

  • A man in Deliveroo livery loads a Joe and the Juice bag into a delivery bag.
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    Courtesy of Deliveroo
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    DoorDash offers $3.6B for Deliveroo

    Deliveroo indicated in filings it was inclined to accept the deal, which would bring DoorDash into major markets including the U.K., France and Italy.

  • A smiling white woman with blond hair and a blue shirt. She is Julie Fussner, the new CEO of Culver's
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    Courtesy of Culver's
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    Culver’s promotes CMO Julie Fussner to CEO

    Fussner takes the helm as the brand hits the 1,000 restaurant mark, propelled by a $3.8 million AUV.

  • 5 chefs work in a restaurant kitchens
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    lechatnoir via Getty Images
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    Independent restaurants could use pandemic-era strategies against tariffs

    Navigating supply chain challenges under Trump’s fluctuating trade policy will require both flexibility and conservative cost measures, experts and restaurateurs say.

  • McDonald's new McCrispy chicken strips.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s chicken strips mark first permanent menu addition in 4 years

    The chain needs a menu win — and a leg up on fast-growing chicken competitors — after last year’s value and LTO successes were offset by an E. Coli outbreak.

  • A photograph of a brick building with a red sign and white letters that says Chipotle.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Chipotle wants its workers to smile for customers

    The restaurant chain plans to improve CX through friendliness. “The fact is smiles down the line don't slow us down,” CEO Scott Boatwright said.

  • An image of two pizzas in front of a pizza oven.
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    Courtesy of Bertucci's
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    Bertucci’s goes bankrupt for 3rd time in 7 years

    The ailing brand, which closed 7 of its 22 stores, may lean on its fast casual spinoff to weather the rising costs and waning consumer confidence hurting casual restaurants.

  • Tri Star
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    Retrieved from Tri Star Energy.
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    How c-stores can pull loyalty from QSRs

    Strong value, including meal deals and quality food, could help c-stores make inroads against fast food, says restaurant technology company Tillster.

  • A sign that says "Since 1956 Jersey Miek's Subs"
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jersey Mike’s hires Charlie Morrison as CEO

    Morrison, former CEO of Wingstop and Salad and Go, takes over for Peter Cancro, who has led the chain for 50 years. 

    Updated April 24, 2025
  • Jack in the Box restaurant location
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jack in the Box will shutter up to 200 stores, mulls Del Taco sale

    The brand will also scale back its company-owned development starting next year and sell off real estate to pay down debt.

  • Pedestrians walk by a Chipotle restaurant in San Francisco, California
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Chipotle’s same-store sales wobble on economic uncertainty

    The fast casual giant — a sales overperformer in 2024 — said its comparable transactions fell in what could be an early warning of anemic diner spending.

  • The sign on a Red Robin restaurant.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    GJ Hart resigns as Red Robin CEO

    Hart, who led the brand through the first two years of its “North Star” reinvention plan, will be replaced by Board Chairman David Pace.

    Updated April 24, 2025