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Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Tracking the same-store sales of 21 major restaurant chains
Sales at pizza and casual dining brands have struggled, while QSR giants like McDonald’s and Starbucks saw anemic changes and fast casuals Cava and Chipotle made big gains.
Updated March 20, 2025 -
Permission granted by Potbelly
How Potbelly harnessed transformational growth
After undertaking a turnaround strategy, the company has grown comparable sales, accelerated franchise development and added popular menu items.
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Retrieved from NACS.
Arko begins building food-focused stores, will debut new foodservice program
The convenience retailer is investing between $700,000 and $1.1 million into each new location and intends to finish all seven pilot sites by the end of 2025.
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Courtesy of Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen’s same-store sales slip for first time as public company
The salad brand attributed its sales shortfall to consumer pullback, and is looking to loyalty and LTOs to offset the trouble.
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Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Shake Shack to open new support center, flagship restaurant in Atlanta
The new support center and flagship location, equipped with a full bar, represent an evolution for the brand and could signal an increased reliance on menu innovation and LTOs as growth drivers.
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Permission granted by Dutch Bros
How restaurants can tap into the beverage craze
Young, health-conscious consumers are seeking out innovative non-alcoholic drinks, and well-positioned restaurants can capture that new demand.
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Permission granted by McDonald's/Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme pauses McDonald’s rollout as sales drop
The doughnut chain said it has stopped expanding its McDonald’s presence while it works to assess the profitability of the business model.
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Courtesy of Huddle House
Huddle House pursues drive-thrus, non-traditional growth in rebrand
As casual dining struggles, brands are leaning into a wide array of real estate and menu changes to capture fast casual and QSR diners.
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Courtesy of Dine Brands
Why Dine Brands is going all in on dual-branded restaurants
Franchisees are increasingly buying into dual-branded units since they lead to higher sales compared to a standalone restaurant.
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Courtesy of Noodles & Company
How Noodles & Company beat Chipotle’s Q1 comparable sales
The chain posted a 4.4% increase in comp sales in Q1 2025 even though larger chains like Chipotle and Wingstop posted anemic comps.
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Pappas Restaurants to buy On The Border out of bankruptcy
Pappas Restaurants, which previously provided $10 million in debtor-in-posession financing through an affiliate, plans to improve On The Border’s menu operations and guest experience.
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Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle hires Taco Bell exec as COO
Jason Kidd succeeds Scott Boatwright, who was promoted to CEO earlier this year, and will oversee operations across the chain’s nearly 3,800 units.
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Courtesy of Deliveroo
DoorDash to acquire Deliveroo for $3.9B
Four years after entering Europe through its $8 billion Wolt acquisition, DoorDash will add nine additional countries to its footprint with this deal.
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Permission granted by Wonder
Wonder raises $600M, will nearly double unit count in 2025
The food hall and delivery company, which bought Grubhub in 2024, has a reported valuation of $7 billion and plans to reach 90 locations this year.
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Courtesy of Shift4. Shift4 CEO Jared Isaacman
Shift4 turns to restaurants for future growth
The payment processor has signed thousands of restaurants in Europe and plans to expand that business.
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Retrieved from Google.
Circle K adding Burrito Express QSRs in Phoenix
The retailer, which has over 150 c-stores in the city, is expected to open six Burrito Express Fast and Fresh restaurants as it strengthens its foodservice capabilities.
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Courtesy of SevenRooms
DoorDash to buy SevenRooms for $1.2B
The deal comes on the heels of DoorDash’s $3.9 billion Deliveroo acquisition and will add tools like reservations, waitlist and table management to its merchant products.
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Permission granted by Fat Brands
Fat Brands hires Jack in the Box vet as CIO
Drew Martin, who has over 35 years of IT experience, will help the chain implement scalable technology solutions in his new position.
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Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco will open 500th restaurant this year
The chain will open at least 10 units this year, most of which will be outside of California, as the chain works toward regaining unit growth momentum.
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Scott Olson via Getty Images
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.
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epicimages via Getty Images
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.
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Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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.
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Courtesy of Wendy's
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.
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Courtesy of Starbucks
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.
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Mario Tama via Getty Images
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.
