Maggiano’s raises portion sizes in Chili’s-style value play

Increasing portions could help the brand draw more traffic, but structural factors mean its turnaround won’t be as fast — or dramatic — as Chili’s revival.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 18, 2026

El Pollo Loco adds big experiences to loyalty program

Personalized offers, bonus rewards and access to menu items and events, like the 2026 Major League Soccer All-Star Game, could boost engagement.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 17, 2026

Burger King’s CMO on firing its mascot as brand evolves in new campaign

“There’s A New King And It’s You” is the next step in a turnaround effort that puts the fast food chain’s customers at the forefront.

By Chris Kelly • March 16, 2026

Recognition is the loyalty perk most restaurants aren’t offering

Discounts aren't the only reason why guests come back. So what is?

By Caroline Price • March 16, 2026

Taco Bell makes Nacho Fries permanent, teases more LTOs

The brand showed off more than 20 new menu items at its third-annual Live Más LIVE event, including LTOs meant to ramp up sales momentum.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 10, 2026

Burger King names 2 new agencies following viral Whopper bite moment

Mojo Supermarket, now the chain’s U.S. social AOR, claimed credit for a video swiping at McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski’s awkward Big Arch review. 

By Peter Adams • March 10, 2026

Jimmy John’s promotes CMO to president

Darin Dugan succeeds James North, who spent more than 20 years as the chain’s brand president.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 9, 2026

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