Corporate Operations
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Courtesy of Burger King
Buns, bots and ad-buys: Burger King talks strategy at RBI investor day
The years-long Reclaim the Flame program will continue with a renewed emphasis on core menu food quality and accelerated refranchising.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 26, 2026 -
Courtesy of IHOP
IHOP promotes pancakes with low-tech aesthetics, experiential play
In a tie-up with musician Mr. Fantasy, the chain is plastering high-traffic areas with old-school flyers reminiscent of the early internet.
By Sara Karlovitch • Feb. 26, 2026 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
What’s at stake in Jack in the Box’s board battle with Biglari?
If the activist investor prevents David Goebel’s re-election as chair, the board could still reappoint him, likely starting a long and expensive board battle.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 25, 2026 -
Courtesy of Domino's
Domino’s wants to double its market share
CEO Russel Weiner thinks the chain can capture half of the QSR pizza market at the expense of Pizza Hut and Papa Johns.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 23, 2026 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Why Jack in the Box bets parking lot paint can cure sales
The chain hopes improvements to product quality and restaurant cosmetics will reverse sliding same-store sales and help prepare for a full remodel program.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 19, 2026 -
Courtesy of Wingstop
How Wingstop plans to weather traffic slides and winter storms
The company expects investments in speed of service and in loyalty systems will reverse a third quarter of comparable sales declines.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 18, 2026 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Jack in the Box’s board battle is getting serious
With proxy advisors saying investors have “persuasive cause” to oppose the re-election of board chair David Goebel, Sardar Biglari’s months-long effort to shake up the brand’s board may be gaining momentum.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 18, 2026 -
Courtesy of Carl's Jr.
Deep DiveHow QSRs are building on value marketing with pop culture, nostalgia
Fast food marketers including McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s will have to move beyond price-point value to drive sales and traffic.
By Chris Kelly • Feb. 18, 2026 -
Getty Images
McDonald’s positions loyalty app at the center of its tech ambitions
Active loyalty members are the “single most important digital metric” for McDonald’s, EVP and CFO Ian Borden said.
By Bryan Wassel • Feb. 17, 2026 -
Permission granted by Fat Brands
Fat Brands CEO Andy Wiederhorn faces ouster by lenders
The chief executive’s on-again-off-again tenure at Fat is under threat after a sale of Twin Hospitality stock, which creditors allege was irregular.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 9, 2026 -
Courtesy of McDonald's
McDonald’s appoints field, finance execs
In addition to the naming Luis Quintiliano as U.S. field president, the Golden Arches is rotating responsibilities between two finance executives.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 5, 2026 -
Permission granted by Taco Bell/Diversified Restaurant Group
How Yum is adapting Taco Bell’s playbook for KFC
The parent company has worked to align the strategies between the two QSR brands to bring some of Taco Bell’s success to the chicken chain.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 5, 2026 -
Courtesy of Yum Brands/Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut to close 250 stores
About 4% of the chain’s U.S. store system will close during the first half of this year as Yum Brands continues a strategic review of the ailing QSR.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 4, 2026 -
Darden to wind down Bahama Breeze
After considering strategic alternatives, Darden has decided to shutter 14 Bahama Breeze stores and convert another 14 to different brands.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 3, 2026 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
3 takeaways from Starbucks’ Investor Day
From whitespace for 5,000 more stores to a chatbot that designs customized drinks, Starbucks has big plans now that it has returned to growth.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 30, 2026 -
Scott Olson via Getty Images
P.F. Chang’s names new CMO following brand platform launch
Holly Smith replaces Sonika Patel, who lasted less than a year in the role but oversaw the launch of a “Light the Fire” campaign around the holidays.
By Peter Adams • Jan. 30, 2026 -
Permission granted by Square
What’s the restaurant industry outlook for 2026?
After a bruising year, restaurants face another spell of serious uncertainty. But there are bright spots in beverage innovation and casual dining, and diner spending may improve.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 30, 2026 -
Permission granted by Papa Johns
Papa Johns debuts Pan Pizza
The new menu category took years of research and development to perfect and could help the pizza chain compete against segment leader Domino’s.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 28, 2026 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks’ sales spike on traffic, show turnaround is working
The coffee giant saw transactions increase among rewards members and non-members, the first time both cohorts saw traffic growth in nearly four years.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 28, 2026 -
Wirestock via Getty Images
Fat Brands files for Chapter 11
This move comes months after creditors pushed for it to pay $1.3 billion in debt, and marks the first major restaurant franchisor bankruptcy of 2026.
By Julie Littman • Updated Jan. 27, 2026 -
Permission granted by Potbelly
Deep DiveWas RaceTrac’s Potbelly deal an anomaly or the start of a new M&A trend?
C-store operators looking to acquire a QSR brand face several potential risks, experts say. But the upside could be tremendous.
By Brett Dworski • Jan. 26, 2026 -
Courtesy of Inspire Brands
Shake Shack hires former Sonic leader as chief commercial officer
Jim Taylor is the latest executive to join the chain, which adapted well to the headwinds in fast casual over the last year.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 21, 2026 -
Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
DC’s Compass Coffee files for Chapter 11
The chain faced shortfalls in foot traffic due to significant changes to the workforce and consumption patterns in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 7, 2026 -
Courtesy of Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza names McDonald’s, Subway alum as CEO
John Owen is tasked with improving the shrinking chain’s menu and operations to insulate it from the fast casual pizza sector struggles.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 6, 2026 -
Permission granted by Firehouse Subs
Bolla Market opens first of several Firehouse Subs
The sandwich shop debuted on Nov. 15 at a Bolla Market in Hicksville, New York. Another in Farmingdale is expected for the end of January.
By Brett Dworski • Dec. 22, 2025
