7 Brew outbids Dutch Bros in $143M offer for Salad and Go units

The drive-thru coffee chain proposed to take over half of the bankrupt fast casual’s closed locations. 

By Julie Littman • Updated Sept. 2, 2026

It’s official: Yum has sold Pizza Hut for $1.5B

Taco Bell’s parent will focus on its other brands, while Pizza Hut can begin a turnaround sheltered from the immediate pressures of public markets.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 1, 2026

Explore the 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

Papa Johns sells 28 Florida units

The refranchising deal in Orlando is part of the chain’s initiative to reduce the number of company-owned restaurants in North America.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 26, 2026

Bonchon’s American division sold to PE firm

The deal with Serruya Private Equity could help speed up the brand’s U.S. development and follows a busy period for restaurant M&A.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 14, 2026

7 Brew vies for piece of Salad and Go portfolio

7 Brew said it is a competing bidder for the salad chain’s closed stores, and its lawyers are crying foul over Dutch Bros’ exclusive agreement for 64 sites.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 12, 2026

Gen Restaurant Group mulls $100M offer for its BBQ chain

Selling its restaurant business would allow Gen to pivot to CPG, where it can grow with lower development expenditure. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 10, 2026

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 Julie Littman • Aug. 6, 2026

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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Aug. 5, 2026

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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 31, 2026

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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 28, 2026

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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 21, 2026

5 of the biggest restaurant franchisee deals in H1

From Red Robin selling company-owned stores to Mas Restaurant Group offloading 87 Taco Bell locations, operators had big opportunities to buy up restaurants and expand their portfolios.

By Julie Littman • July 2, 2026

Taco Bell operator sells 43 restaurants

Mas Restaurant Group divested all of its Ohio restaurants to Southpaw just weeks after it sold 44 of its Texas units to Ghai Restaurant Group.

By Julie Littman • Updated June 29, 2026

Pizza Hut’s future is uncertain despite $2.7B sale

Private ownership may enable a more drastic brand intervention for the struggling pizza chain.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 22, 2026

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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated June 16, 2026

Major Taco Bell franchisee sells 44 restaurants

Ghai Restaurants bought the Houston-area stores from Mas Restaurant Group for an undisclosed sum, more than doubling its Taco Bell footprint. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 1, 2026

Red Robin sells 30 company-owned units for $23.5M

Evergreen Dining purchased the restaurants in Washington and Western Idaho and will continue to operate them under the Red Robin brand.

By Julie Littman • May 29, 2026

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 Julie Littman • May 21, 2026

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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 11, 2026

Nestlé sells Blue Bottle Coffee to Centurium Capital

The deal with the Chinese coffee giant includes the brand's cafes and the majority of its CPG business, a spokesperson confirmed.

By Laurel Deppen • April 23, 2026

Jersey Mike’s could go public

Rapid store growth and strong unit volumes have made the sandwich chain a restaurant sector success story. Will that track record yield a successful IPO?

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 20, 2026

Roark reportedly sells Nothing Bundt Cakes to KKR for $2B

The brand’s fast growth and four-wall EBITDA likely made the 700-unit chain an appealing acquisition target. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 26, 2026

53-unit Applebee’s franchisee files for bankruptcy

Neighborhood Restaurant Partners Florida has faced financial pressures since sales began to soften in 2015 and will now sell its restaurants to Applebee’s.

By Julie Littman • March 26, 2026

Krispy Kreme closes $90M refranchising transaction with joint venture

The deal with WKS Restaurant Group, which included the sale of 23 company-owned units, is part of the chain’s shift to a capital-light portfolio.

By Julie Littman • March 25, 2026

Fat Brands could sell its assets

If approved by the court, Fatburger’s owner, which is undergoing Chapter 11, will seek bids for all or some of its assets beginning in April.

By Julie Littman • March 17, 2026