Financials

  • An image of a red sign with white logo that says "Wendy's." Above the sign is an cartoon image of a girl with red hair and pigtails with blue bows.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Wendy’s hires former Potbelly exec as CFO

    Steve Cirulis, who served alongside Wendy’s CEO Bob Wright at the sandwich chain, joins the troubled fast food brand in the midst of a turnaround.

    By • June 23, 2026
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    The image by Dwight Burdette is licensed under CC BY 3.0
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    On the Border files for Ch. 7 liquidation

    The Tex-Mex chain closed all but five of its stores earlier this month, and has filed for bankruptcy for the second time in two years. 

    By • June 23, 2026
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks CFO delegates principal accounting role

    The coffee giant’s finance chief Cathy Smith is transferring the PAO role to Val Bauduin, who will continue to report to Smith.

    By Maura Webber Sadovi • June 16, 2026
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    Brett_Hondow via Getty Images
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    Red Robin refranchises 86 units for $72.5M

    Since May, the brand has entered three agreements to offload over 100 restaurants to franchisees as it works to raise capital to pay down debt.

    By • June 16, 2026
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    Permission granted by Twin Peaks
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    Twin Peaks franchisees take over management of brand

    Summit Acquisitions, a firm made up of tenured operators, will oversee operations and growth strategy as the brand emerges from bankruptcy.

    By • Updated June 16, 2026
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    Courtesy of Blaze Pizza
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    Blaze Pizza hires GoTo Foods alum as CFO

    The chain has struggled with a declining store base in recent years, despite menu changes and a loyalty overhaul. 

    By • June 16, 2026
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    Retrieved from Pizza Hut.
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    Yum Brands sells Pizza Hut for $2.7B

    The company will sell the chain to LongRange Capital and Yum China Holdings in two separate transactions following a review of strategic alternatives.

    By • Updated June 16, 2026
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    The image by Dwight Burdette is licensed under CC BY 3.0
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    On the Border has just 5 restaurants left

    The Tex-Mex chain was left out of casual dining’s revival and closed about 30 of its company-owned restaurants in the last week.

    By • June 15, 2026
  • A Cracker Barrel sign hangs on the outside of a restaurant.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Cracker Barrel reports rising guest metrics, but sales remain on the decline

    The restaurant’s Google star rating is up 4% year over year, but the company has yet to return to sales growth after the fall out from a botched rebrand attempt last year.

    By Bryan Wassel • June 10, 2026
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    Courtesy of First Watch
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    First Watch appoints CFO

    Ashlee Weisser, who has worked at First Watch since 2023, takes over for the retiring Mel Hope.

    By • June 9, 2026
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    Permission granted by Good Foods Group
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    Sponsored by Good Foods Group

    How versatility is helping foodservice operators do more with less

    Today’s environment demands that operators boost flavor and innovation without adding complexity or cost.

    June 8, 2026
  • An image of a white and red restaurant with Krystal on the signage
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    Permission granted by Krystal
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    SPB Hospitality CEO launches strategy change 6 months in

    Krystal and the company’s upscale casual brands will operate as parallel businesses under one leadership team, GJ Hart said Thursday.

    By • June 5, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    Illinois restaurants face more tip fees, for now

    A federal court blocked the state's interchange fee ban. Delays to the law could cost local businesses $500 million a year, proponents say. 

    By • June 3, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    Opinion

    The restaurant industry’s real crisis isn’t food costs — it’s access to financing

    To stay financially healthy, operators must know how to discern a trustworthy capital partner from a predatory one, says US Professional Funding and US Medical Funding’s Christopher Cornella.

    By Christopher Cornella • June 1, 2026
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    atiatiati via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    How restaurants can navigate MCA loan debt

    Merchant cash advance loans can provide operators quick funding for cash shortfalls, but they can be costly in the long run, Coastal Debt Resolve’s Nathan Mor said.

    By • June 1, 2026
  • A concept image of a Dairy Queen Grill & Chill store
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    Courtesy of Dairy Queen
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    Dairy Queen adds $150K development incentive for food-focused stores

    The cash incentive and further rewards for multi-unit development could help the brand grow its Grill & Chill concept. 

    By • May 27, 2026
  • A photograph of a gray storefrot with a yellow sign that says Qdoba
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    jetcityimage via Getty Images
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    Qdoba completes $435M whole business securitization

    The transaction will allow the chain to refinance debt, providing liquidity to help it reach 2,000 units and support investments in remodels and digital makelines.

    By • May 27, 2026
  • An image of a Twin Peaks restaurant in the daytime.
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    Permission granted by Twin Peaks
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    Fat Brands to be sold to multiple buyers for nearly $1B

    Elevation Burger and Hot Dog on the Stick will go to different owners in cash transactions, while Twin Peaks and the remaining Fat restaurant concepts will be sold in debt sales to two entities. 

    By • May 21, 2026
  • A photo of a Cava location in a brick endcap retail space.
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava wins Q1 with 9.7% same-store sales jump

    The fast casual chain posted the strongest comparable sales results of the segment, while Sweetgreen and Wingstop faced steep declines.

    By • May 19, 2026
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    David Ryder via Getty Images
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    Starbucks to cut 300 jobs, close 4 support centers

    Despite improved sales and the impending opening of a secondary headquarters in Nashville, the coffee chain is undertaking its third round of layoffs under CEO Brian Niccol.

    By • May 15, 2026
  • An image of a beige building with a green sign that says "Krispy Kreme" in red and then "doughnuts" in white typeface.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    How Krispy Kreme is making its US operations more profitable

    With its shift to third-party logistics complete, the company is focusing on improving operations, growing digital sales and making better doughnuts.

    By • May 14, 2026
  • A Jack in the Box sign looms ominously from behind a hedge.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Lance Tucker out as Jack in the Box CEO

    Tucker held the CEO post for just over 13 months, coinciding with continued sales declines and a tough fight with activist investors. Mark King will succeed him on an interim basis.

    By • Updated May 13, 2026
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    Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
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    How refranchising is helping Corner Bakery rise from ‘scorched earth’

    After years of focus on hospitality, menu reconstruction and unit economics, the fast casual brand is looking to recruit its next generation of operators.

    By • May 12, 2026
  • Messages opposing harsh immigration measures on a restaurant's door.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    What independent restaurants want out of politics in 2026

    Immigration enforcement, high swipe fees, delivery commissions and a lack of market power threaten restaurant margins, said the Independent Restaurant Coalition’s executive director.

    By • May 12, 2026
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    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
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    Dunkin’ owner Inspire Brands files for an IPO

    The company’s sprawling brand portfolio, ranging from sports bars to breakfast QSRs, could help insulate it from downturns within restaurant subsectors.

    By • May 11, 2026