Domino’s redefines celebrity meals in social-first campaign

Ahead of March Madness, the pizza brand is hoping influencers will drive sales.

By Sara Karlovitch • March 6, 2026

McDonald’s reality TV-inspired campaign turns kiosks into confessionals

The social-heavy effort comes as the chain faces social media and competitor blowback for a video featuring its CEO.

By Chris Kelly • March 5, 2026

Chili’s CMO promoted to translate winning playbook to Brinker’s other brand

George Felix will lead marketing for both Chili’s and Maggiano’s Little Italy, which has lagged behind its sister brand’s eye-popping run of sales growth.

By Peter Adams • March 4, 2026

Why Papa Johns is going back to basics in latest marketing shakeup

The pizza chain has reestablished local marketing co-ops and plans to launch a creative platform in collaboration with new AOR Leo Chicago.

By Chris Kelly • March 3, 2026

IHOP promotes pancakes with low-tech aesthetics, experiential play

In a tie-up with musician Mr. Fantasy, the chain is plastering high-traffic areas with old-school flyers reminiscent of the early internet. 

By Sara Karlovitch • Feb. 26, 2026

Outback posts first traffic growth in 5 years

New steaks improved guest satisfaction, and fresh investments in facilities, labor and marketing could help build the brand’s transaction momentum.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 25, 2026

Domino’s wants to double its market share

CEO Russel Weiner thinks the chain can capture half of the QSR pizza market at the expense of Pizza Hut and Papa Johns.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 23, 2026

How QSRs are building on value marketing with pop culture, nostalgia

Fast food marketers including McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s will have to move beyond price-point value to drive sales and traffic.

By Chris Kelly • Feb. 18, 2026

McDonald’s positions loyalty app at the center of its tech ambitions

Active loyalty members are the “single most important digital metric” for McDonald’s, EVP and CFO Ian Borden said.

By Bryan Wassel • Feb. 17, 2026

Sweetgreen names Wpromote paid media AOR as brand looks to reignite growth

Wpromote is tasked with balancing a cohesive national strategy with more market-specific opportunities as Sweetgreen combats a sales slump. 

By Peter Adams • Feb. 13, 2026

Starbucks’ new loyalty program shows where restaurant loyalty is headed next

Discover how QSR leaders are evolving loyalty programs from discount-driven points to high-frequency, status-driven membership models that redefine the guest experience.

By Rob Murphy • Feb. 9, 2026

Sweetgreen launches ‘Build Your Own’ catering bar

The brand is the latest fast casual to see large-format catering as a lifeline, but operational problems could undercut the bid to secure big ticket orders.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 6, 2026

Chipotle spends more on marketing amid search for ‘unicorn’ CMO

The fast casual chain plans to better support its marketing with targeted media as it looks to reverse negative sales growth.

By Chris Kelly • Feb. 4, 2026

Grubhub — and George Clooney — make Super Bowl debuts to ‘eat the fees’

The delivery platform promotes a new offer to remove delivery and service fees on restaurant orders over $50 in an oddball ad directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.

By Chris Kelly • Feb. 3, 2026

Just Salad launches ‘instant gratification’ rewards system

While many restaurant chains are shifting to points-based programs, the salad brand is leaning into gamified mystery rewards on every order above $12.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 2, 2026

P.F. Chang’s names new CMO following brand platform launch

Holly Smith replaces Sonika Patel, who lasted less than a year in the role but oversaw the launch of a “Light the Fire” campaign around the holidays. 

By Peter Adams • Jan. 30, 2026

Starbucks Rewards moves to a tiered structure

The chain is not changing the core points-for-dollar mechanism behind its Rewards system, but some consumers will earn points more quickly.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Jan. 29, 2026

How Applebee’s Date Night Pass builds on the chain’s marketing-led success

CMO Michelle Chin details the return of the fan-favorite offer and the lessons she’s learned in her first few months at the Dine Brands chain.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 28, 2026

Starbucks’ sales spike on traffic, show turnaround is working

The coffee giant saw transactions increase among rewards members and non-members, the first time both cohorts saw traffic growth in nearly four years.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 28, 2026

Chipotle’s new CMO on how the brand’s latest ad meets consumer trends

“Choices” contrasts daily prep at the fast casual Mexican chain with images of nuggets in fryer baskets and frozen burger patties on a conveyor belt.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 27, 2026

Dave’s Hot Chicken CMO on building on organic growth as brand levels up

Brandon Rhoten spent years leading creative and social strategy at Wendy’s at a time when the chain rewrote the rules for fast-food advertising.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 23, 2026

Taco Bell’s Crispy Chicken Nuggets are back

After a big year for Crispy Chicken products, Taco Bell is continuing to leverage menu items, like nuggets, to drive same-store sales growth.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 22, 2026

Wendy’s expands value menu with Biggie Deals

The menu offers combos at a $4, $6 and $8 price points and builds off of its Biggie Bag by allowing for more customization.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 14, 2026

Chipotle brand chief Chris Brandt steps down

The award-winning executive led marketing for the fast casual chain for nearly eight years.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 14, 2026

January reset: Turning the post-holiday slowdown into strategic growth

Savvy operators can stop revenue bleed and convert downtime into training time, writes Toast’s Julie Powell.

By Julie Powell • Jan. 12, 2026