Corporate Operations

  • QDOBA Burrito
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    Courtesy of QDOBA
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    Jalapeños served at Qdoba, Chipotle tied to Salmonella outbreak

    Both chains stopped  serving potentially contaminated peppers after hundreds of consumers across 27 states fell ill.

    By • Aug. 7, 2026
  • An evening shot of a Portillo's restaurant
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s cuts 18% of corporate workforce

    The July 31 reduction was meant to simplify its corporate structure to allow for better focus, nimbler operations and improved restaurant-level support.

    By • Aug. 7, 2026
  • Front-of-end restaurant staff uses SevenRooms' customer relationship management software. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Courtesy of SevenRooms
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    Trendline

    How AI is shaping the restaurant industry

    Automated technology can transform restaurant systems and relieve pressure from rising operating costs, opening up new opportunities for chains looking to sharpen their value proposition. 

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • A close-up photograph of coure wraps on a yellow table in front of an orange titled background.
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    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen says turnaround is working, despite soft sales

    Improvements in value perception, transactions and throughput were derailed by worries about Cyclospora, though the brand doesn’t serve iceberg lettuce.

    By • Aug. 7, 2026
  • A red sign with white lettering that says Wendy's below a logo of a girl with red hair and blue hair ties sits in a parking lot under a tree.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Wendy’s CEO moving with ‘urgency’ to revamp brand

    Robert Wright, who rejoined the chain in May, is already drafting a strategy that will focus on menu, marketing, digital, operations and restaurants to improve the chain’s sales and traffic.

    By • Aug. 7, 2026
  • A black and purple restaurant exterior.
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    Duane Prokop via Getty Images
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    Taco Bell, Taylor Farms Cyclospora case count hits 6K

    The vast majority of the individuals sickened in the outbreak fell ill before Taco Bell and Taylor Farms removed potentially contaminated lettuce.

    By • Aug. 6, 2026
  • A picture of Burger King signs.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Burger King sales surge, but Popeyes faces uphill battle

    While Burger King’s revival has gained momentum in recent months, Popeyes has continued to struggle despite its turnaround efforts — but RBI has hope for the chicken chain’s sluggish sales.

    By • Aug. 6, 2026
  • A Gong cha store with the open sign and drink menu displayed on the storefront's windows.
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    Kelly Stroh/Restaurant Dive
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    Bain Capital buys Gong cha bubble tea chain

    The private equity firm will assume control of a 2,200-unit global chain, with at least 240 stores in the U.S.  

    By • Updated Aug. 5, 2026
  • A sign on a Chipotle restaurant.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Chipotle pulls some jalapeños over Salmonella concerns

    The brand, which has a long history of food safety scares, said its ingredient tracking system identified a batch of peppers that may have been affected.  

    By • Aug. 5, 2026
  • An image of a small restaurant with a red facade that has a white logo saying Checkers. There is a woman waiting at a pickup window and a blue car at a drive-thru window.
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    The image by Pokemonprime is licensed under CC BY 4.0
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    Checkers & Rally’s hires development chief to return to growth

    Peter Busse, an alumnus of Torchy’s Tacos and Yum Brands, will help the burger brands plot a turnaround after years of shrinking store counts.

    By • Aug. 4, 2026
  • A person with a green blazer sits in front of a window looking out to a blurred cityscape.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s USA appoints Skye Anderson to president

    Anderson will oversee the chain’s NEXT strategy in its largest market and succeeds Joe Erlinger, who is leaving the company after 20 years.

    By • Aug. 4, 2026
  • A biege building with signage in red and green that says Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Krispy Kreme creates chief commercial officer role

    Suk Nicholas, a 15-year company veteran, will oversee the chain’s fresh delivery business globally and in the U.S.

    By • Aug. 4, 2026
  • Six drinks, all colorful, comprising the vanguard of McDonald's post-CosMc's premium drinks lineup.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s CEO blames US traffic drop on execution problems

    The Golden Arches is acting with urgency to correct value issues and operational inefficiencies in the U.S. after a sales miss, executives said.

    By • Aug. 4, 2026
  • Domino's app
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    Courtesy of Domino's Pizza
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    Domino’s pays diners to beta test its relaunched app, website

    The pizza chain’s new campaign encourages consumers to leave feedback about its updated digital ordering experience.

    By Chris Kelly • Aug. 3, 2026
  • BJ's Restaurants' new chicken sandwiches
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    Courtesy of BJ's Restaurants
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    BJ’s posts strongest traffic gains in 4 years

    The chain’s turnaround — aided by value plays, menu innovation and marketing spend — is nearing an inflection point as it prepares to expand.

    By • Aug. 3, 2026
  • A rendering of a KFC next-generation restaurant that includes pink neon lights and black facade.
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    Permission granted by KFC
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    Yum bids Pizza Hut farewell, overhauls KFC

    Yum Brands is ushering in a new era for KFC through a global brand transformation, while Pizza Hut is shifting to new ownership.

    By • July 31, 2026
  • A photograph of a building that with white signage that says Panera Bread. There is an empty parking lot out front and an outdoor patio on the right.
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    bgwalker via Getty Images
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    Panera to relocate HQ to Massachusetts

    The fast casual chain said the move to Weston is part of its Panera RISE strategy and will help foster more collaboration and decision-making.

    By • July 31, 2026
  • A close up image of a person holding up a slice of Mexican Pizza from Taco Bell
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Why Taco Bell predicts a swift recovery from Cyclospora

    Loyalty, value offers and swift removal of lettuce have mitigated the sales impact of the ongoing outbreak of the foodborne parasitic illness.

    By • July 30, 2026
  • A smiling worker hands someone a ceramic mug of coffee.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks remodels, service tweaks are paying off

    The coffee giant gained same-store sales momentum in the U.S. market with its third consecutive quarter of comps growth.

    By • July 30, 2026
  • An orange and white fast food restaurant
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    Courtesy of Whataburger
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    Whataburger hires Taco Bell vet as CFO

    Ryan Moore also brings experience from Torchy’s Tacos to the burger chain, which is growing extensively beyond its home base of Texas.

    By • July 29, 2026
  • 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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    Judge approves Fat Brands liquidation

    After a complicated bankruptcy process that included a CEO ouster effort, Fat’s liquidation can proceed with court approval.

    By • July 28, 2026
  • Inside a beverage facility that sells boba teas.
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    Permission granted by Gong cha
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    Gong cha inks 50-store franchise deal in Texas

    The agreement will significantly expand the bubble tea chain’s U.S. footprint, and comes after it bought 170 stores from its master franchisee in March.

    By • July 28, 2026
  • A quick service restaurant.
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    Courtesy of Church's Texas Chicken
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    Church’s Texas Chicken CEO says new funding will boost remodels, expansion

    An equity investment from Golub Capital will help the chicken chain convert its brand turnaround into renewed U.S. store growth.

    By • July 28, 2026
  • A view of a Taco Bell restaurant on February 06, 2025 in Dublin, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Taco Bell tied to Cyclospora outbreaks in 4 more states

    While the chain removed potentially contaminated lettuce by July 17, the long incubation period of the parasite — upwards of two weeks — means new cases may continue into early August.

    By • July 27, 2026
  • A close up imae of a white sign with Cracker Barrel logo and Uncle Herschal mascot.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Cracker Barrel taps former Bloomin’ chief as CEO

    David Deno will succeed Julie Masino, who is leaving less than a year after surviving an ouster attempt triggered by rebranding backlash.

    By • Updated July 27, 2026
  • A gray and beige fast food building with red and white brand markings for the chain Jollibee
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    Courtesy of Jollibee
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    How 4 QSR chains sped up franchised growth in H1

    From chicken chains to frozen custard joints, growing restaurant concepts are working to accelerate their store development in 2026.

    By • July 24, 2026