Financials

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    KenWiedemann via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Jersey Mike’s IPO reflects growing investor appetite for restaurants

    Investors are anticipating strong valuations from the sandwich chain, especially after Black Rock Coffee’s successful 2025 debut.

    By • Updated 20 hours ago
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jersey Mike’s rapid growth in 4 charts

    Since 2006, the soon-to-be public fast casual chain has grown systemwide sales at a CAGR of 20%, but that’s far from its only bright spot.

    By • July 7, 2026
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    Trendline

    Restaurant Financing

    With ongoing macroeconomic pressures facing restaurants, operators are entering into alternative financing, mergers and acquisitions and even bankruptcy to sustain their businesses. 

    By Restaurant Dive staff
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    Courtesy of Jersey Mike's
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    Jersey Mike’s files for IPO

    The private equity-backed sandwich chain filed a prospectus with the SEC Thursday, highlighting its strong unit volumes and rapid growth. 

    By • July 2, 2026
  • 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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    Still steamed: Red Lobster sues Thai Union over 2024 shrimp blunder

    The chain’s creditors claim the former shareholder pushed out a shrimp promotion for its own interests even though it led to significant losses for the full-service brand.

    By • July 1, 2026
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Papa Johns’ CFO to depart

    Ravi Thanawala helped with major turnaround efforts over the past three years and briefly led the company on an interim basis.

    By • July 1, 2026
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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
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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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    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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    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
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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
  • A photograph of a brown sign with white lettering that says Starbucks Center.
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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