Financials

  • An evening shot of a Portillo's restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Portillo's
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • A close-up photograph of coure wraps on a yellow table in front of an orange titled background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Shot of three business persons filling in paperwork in an office. Explore the Trendline➔
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    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
  • 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.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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 car at a window picking up an order from a restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Salad and Go
    Image attribution tooltip

    Dutch Bros buys 65 former Salad and Go units

    The coffee chain will convert units in Arizona, Nevada, Oklahoma and Texas as part of its strategy to reach 2,029 units in 2029.

    By • Aug. 6, 2026
  • A car at a window picking up an order from a restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Salad and Go
    Image attribution tooltip

    What led to Salad and Go’s downfall

    The fast casual chain faced significant expenses following an aggressive expansion. It also suffered from wilting demand and was unable to sell itself prior to filing for Chapter 11.

    By • Aug. 6, 2026
  • A car at a window picking up an order from a restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Salad and Go
    Image attribution tooltip

    Salad and Go files for Ch. 11, closes 70 stores

    The salad chain said it faced ongoing pressure on consumer demand, including an indirect impact from the Cyclospora outbreak.

    By • Aug. 5, 2026
  • A person smiles at a camera in front of a gray background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Portillo's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Portillo’s hires Olive Garden finance exec as CFO

    Kevin Kalicak, who has spent nearly 30 years at Darden, will join the fast casual chain on Sept. 7, succeeding Michelle Hook.

    By , • Aug. 5, 2026
  • A rendering of a KFC next-generation restaurant that includes pink neon lights and black facade.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by KFC
    Image attribution tooltip

    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 brown sign with white lettering that says Starbucks Center.
    Image attribution tooltip
    David Ryder via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks’ experience refinements are ‘turning engagement into rituals,’ CEO says

    According to CEO Brian Niccol, better customer service and a revamped loyalty program are building trust with customers and making the brand more visible.

    By Bryan Wassel • July 30, 2026
  • People walk past a Chipotle storefront.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle’s efforts to engage customers with rewards in-restaurant pay off

    “While food quality and generous portions bring guests through our doors, it's the experience we deliver that keeps them coming back,” CEO Scott Boatwright said.

    By Kristen Doerer • July 30, 2026
  • A photograph of a gray building with white signage that says "Since 1956 Jersey Mike's Sub's." There are three cars parked in front of the building.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Jersey Mike’s debuts on NYSE with $1B IPO

    The sub sandwich chain will begin selling Class A common stock at $23 per share in the largest restaurant initial public offering since 2021.

    By • July 30, 2026
  • A sign on a Chipotle restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle posts best quarterly same-store sales growth since 2024

    The chain’s Recipe for Growth initiative, which launched in February, has already shifted momentum, with same-store sales up 2.2%.

    By • July 30, 2026
  • A photo of the outside of a Wingstop.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Wingstop
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wingstop same-store sales drop for 5th straight quarter

    CEO Michael Skipworth said the fast casual chain has many price-sensitive guests and will focus more on value and group occasions to boost sales.

    By • July 30, 2026
  • An orange and white fast food restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Whataburger
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Fat Brands
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • A quick service restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Church's Texas Chicken
    Image attribution tooltip

    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 smiling white man in a dark suit with no tie in front of a bar.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Fogo de Chão
    Image attribution tooltip

    Fogo de Chão appoints successor to long-tenured CFO

    Daniel Duran succeeded Tony Laday, who retired after helping the chain through an IPO, a global pandemic and multiple acquisitions over 12 years.

    By • July 24, 2026
  • A zoomed in image of Dutch Bros building signage
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Dutch Bros
    Image attribution tooltip

    Gas price moderation won’t end restaurant consumer woes

    Falling gas prices may not mean a return to consumer health, as wages fall and savings deplete, worsening the gap between restaurant winners and losers.

    By • July 22, 2026
  • A person in a suit stands on stage surrounded by a large crowd in the stands.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    What 10 leading restaurant companies pay their CEOs — and their hourly workers

    Median hourly compensation hovers near, and sometimes below, the poverty line, while leading restaurant CEOs earn tens of millions.

    By • July 22, 2026
  • A diamond sign with red and blue and a white words that say "Domino's"
    Image attribution tooltip
    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Domino’s says order counts are up thanks to third-party delivery

    Partnerships with Uber Eats and DoorDash are bringing in more new customers than the chain would have gained otherwise.

    By • July 21, 2026
  • A photograph of a rectanguler sign with a Cracker Barrel logo and its Uncle Herschel mascot
    Image attribution tooltip
    marcnorman via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Cracker Barrel sells Maple Street Biscuit Company

    The chain will close 16 of its subsidiary biscuit brand locations after selling 35 to Biscuit Belly as part of a move to improve profitability. 

    By • July 21, 2026
  • A photogrpah of a building with a brick facade. It has a round sign with blue background and red typeface that says Jersey Mike's Subs
    Image attribution tooltip
    jetcityimage via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Jersey Mike’s IPO could raise over $1B

    The chain could secure the restaurant industry's largest public offering of the past 20 years, far outpricing Krispy Kreme’s $500 million debut in 2021.

    By • Updated July 21, 2026
  • A Hardee's location
    Image attribution tooltip
    gsheldon via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Hardee’s franchisee says old stores, high costs led to bankruptcy

    Superior Star said it absorbed significant, unexpected deferred maintenance expenses following its 2023 acquisition of scores of Hardee’s restaurants. 

    By • July 17, 2026
  • A photograph of a selection of food items, including pepperoni pizza, chicken wings and burgers next to a green checkered back with wording that says Wonder The Cravings Expert.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Wonder
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wonder tops $9B valuation, raises $650M

    The food hall company will use the latest funding round to support its ongoing expansion, marketplace growth and technology investments.

    By • July 16, 2026
  • McDonald's Q1 Earnings Up On Higher Menu Prices, Overseas Growth
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s hires Nike vet as chief strategy officer

    Ugwechi Amadi will help the company bring its NEXT strategy to life and create new opportunities for growth, CFO Ian Borden said.

    By • July 15, 2026