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  • A sandwich, a bag of chips, a coke, a red background.
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    Courtesy of Jimmy John's
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    Jimmy John’s moves to points-based rewards

    Switching from a surprise-and-delight program to JJ Rewards could help drive frequency and incentivize the chain’s most loyal guests.

  • Plates of breakfast food.
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    Courtesy of IHOP
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    How 6 casual chains are boosting their value

    Brands like Olive Garden, The Cheesecake Factory and Applebee’s are using value promotions to boost visits and sales while QSRs struggle with traffic.

  • A photo of people sitting at a bar watching a UFC fight on TVs behind the bar. A sign near the left side of the picture says "Rutter's. Made for you."
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    Permission granted by Rutter's
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    Rutter’s new c-store design is also a sports bar. Here’s a look inside.

    The 1747 store, named for the year Rutter's was founded, aims for a sports bar feel to encourage customers to see it as more than a pit stop.

    Updated Sept. 30, 2025
  • Patrons at a Chicago Starbucks after the coffee chain on Feb. 25, 2025.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Starbucks to close roughly 400 stores, lay off 900 corporate workers

    The closures, which will largely take place over the next few days, follow a strategic review of the company’s North American store base as part of its larger turnaround plan.

    Updated Sept. 26, 2025
  • Wendy's
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    Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
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    Wendy’s taps restaurant vet to oversee international tech

    Sang Lee brings experience from major food brands as the restaurant chain aims for global expansion.

  • A rendering of a Subway restaurant with tables and green walls.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway franchisees fight remodel push

    The North American Association of Subway Franchisees is backing an arbitration case brought by a franchisee and claims that mandated remodels create significant financial burdens.

  • A photo of various cocktails, sushi and entrees from P.F. Chang's
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    Courtesy of P.F. Chang's
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    P.F. Chang’s pushes value with new cocktail menu

    The full-service Asian chain will also offer half appetizers and smaller entrees in a value move similar to those made by Olive Garden, IHOP and Chili’s.

  • A white sign that says Cava in front of a glassed facade building.
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava’s Midwestern growth continues with Detroit debut

    The chain’s expansion continues despite a slowdown in same-store sales across many fast casual brands.

  • A burritio, chips, drink, side of queso and some salsas.
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    Courtesy of Moe's Southwest Grill
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    Moe’s Southwest Grill adds value meal for under $10

    The fast casual sector is facing value pressure from both directions, as QSRs cut combo prices and casual dining emphasizes holistic value.

  • An exterior shot of a Red Lobster restaurant from downhill, in the foreground, lush shrubbery separates the restaurant from the camera.
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    Courtesy of Red Lobster
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    Red Lobster deploys AI bots to answer phones

    SoundHound’s voice automation technology is expected to free up workers and improve front-of-house service.

  • 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 to open beverage concept

    Daybright, operating under subsidiary Red Wagon Ventures, will open its first location in Greater Atlanta this fall and serve coffee, smoothies and juices.

  • A photo of the exterior of a gas station and convenience store/ A sign on the fuel canopy says Cumberland Farms.
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    Courtesy of Quorso
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    EG America bringing Krispy Krunchy Chicken to Cumberland Farms

    The fried chicken QSR will debut at five Cumberland Farms c-stores in the Florida panhandle, with the first opening this week.

  • An evening shot of a building with white and red coloring and signage that says "Portillo's."
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s replaces CEO

    Michael Osanloo resigned on Monday, and Chairman of the Board Michael Miles became interim CEO. The board is searching for a replacement. 

  • An image of a store sign that says Shake Shack. To the left is a green neon sign of a burger
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack appoints first chief brand officer

    Michael Fanuele, who has consulted for Shake Shack since early this year, joins the chain as it increases paid media ad spend and marketing.

  • Taco Bell's $5, $7 and $9 luxe boxes. Each combo meal contains several items, a side and a drink.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell promotes execs focused on branding, technology

    As the chain works to triple its international store count in five years, these new executive promotions can help replicate the brand’s U.S. success abroad.

  • A zoomed in image of a white store with a red Bojangles logo.
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    Permission granted by Bojangles
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    Bojangles’ largest franchisee acquired by PE firm

    Eyas Capital bought 120 units from BOJ of WNC, a franchisee owned by Jeff Rigsby, in a sale that includes a commitment for 40 additional locations.

  • An image of several food items on a table from First Watch's LTO menu with two people partially in view in the background
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    Permission granted by First Watch
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    Morning meal traffic grows as food spending stays high

    Protein-heavy items, the breakfast daypart and dishes without artificial colors are the big winners from H1 2025, according to a Circana report.

  • A night image of people sitting at tables at a patio in a restaurant
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    Getty Images
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    How restaurants can prepare for the holiday rush

    Operators can take advantage of increased catering demand and large holiday party orders if they can craft festive meals and experiences despite high food costs and labor challenges.

  • A zoomed in image of a building with gold signage. The sign says "P.F. Chang's."
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    P.F. Chang’s settles claim it refused to hire applicant who asked for Sundays off

    The applicant’s stipulation constituted a religious accommodation request under Title VII, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleged.

  • A close up image of yellow orange menus in a holder.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Sardar Biglari wants Cracker Barrel CEO out

    The longtime shareholder and activist investor said highly publicized missteps over the company’s rebrand betrayed Cracker Barrel’s heritage and turned loyal fans against it.

  • fast stop
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    Retrieved from Fast Stop.
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    Fast Stop CEO acquires 9 locations for new QSR concept

    The restaurants will feature the c-store chain’s Cajun-inspired fast food menu, which includes fried chicken, seafood, po boys and southern sides.

    M&A
  • A photograph of a menu with Cracker Barrel branding
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Cracker Barrel forecasts 8% traffic drop from logo backlash

    The chain saw 5.4% same-store sales growth in the quarter, but its recent logo controversy derailed ongoing performance improvements.

  • An iamge of a stoneworked building with a white logo that says Olive Garden. A woman wearing a white shirt and red bandana is at the door about to enter the restaurant.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Olive Garden’s affordability focus drives same-store sales boost

    During fiscal Q1, the chain saw a boost in sales and traffic from customers across all income levels.

  • An image of a black drone floating in the air with a green background.
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    Courtesy of Uber/Flytrex
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    Uber invests in Flytrex to scale drone delivery

    The partnership is part of Uber’s strategy to create a delivery network that deploys sidewalk robots and aerial drones alongside drivers and couriers.

  • A car at a window picking up an order from a restaurant
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    Permission granted by Salad and Go
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    Salad and Go to close 41 restaurants

    The drive-thru salad chain, which doubled its store count in two years, will focus on more disciplined growth under new CEO Mike Tattersfield.