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

Taco Bell adds premium chicken quesadilla to permanent menu

The Yum Brands subsidiary is building a differentiated chicken lineup as the protein takes QSR menus by storm.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 17, 2026

Q4 2025’s restaurant winners and loses

Casual dining? Good, not great. Fast casual? Bad, not terrible. Taco Bell? Living Más. Wendy's? Living Menos.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 16, 2026

Sonic launches caffeinated refreshers as QSR drinks boom

The drinks boast 45 milligrams of caffeine alongside fruit inclusions, giving the brand a premium product for snacking occasions and the afternoon daypart.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 16, 2026

Beef costs exceed burger prices, pressuring QSRs

A Datassential report revealed that prices for the menu item are up 14%, while meat costs are up 32% over the past two years.

By Julie Littman • March 13, 2026

McDonald’s reportedly eyes $3 or less value platform

The low-priced menu will include items like a four-piece Chicken McNuggets and a sausage biscuit when it launches in April, per The Wall Street Journal.

By Julie Littman • March 12, 2026

Casey’s built its brand on pizza. Now it’s chasing chicken wings.

The Iowa retailer plans to roll out the wing line to all 2,900-plus stores over the next two years as it diversifies its fast-growing food business.

By Brett Dworski • March 12, 2026

Coffee, cold brew sales slip as lattes, energy drinks surge

Drip coffee and cold brew orders fell in 2025 as energy drinks exploded and premium, handcrafted coffees saw a modest rise.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 11, 2026

Layne’s Chicken Fingers thinks it has what it takes to go national

Cane’s. Dave’s. Now Layne’s? A small Texas chicken chain wants to be the next big thing. Multi-unit operators, a simple menu and a premium product could make it happen.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 11, 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

Pilot to overhaul foodservice program at all locations

A new combination made-to-order and grab-and-go platform aims to set a consistent standard for the retailer’s menu, SVP Sean Marrero said.

By Brett Dworski • March 9, 2026

From dirty sodas to frozen treats: What’s actually driving beverage trends in 2026

From dirty sodas to frozen treats, see what’s really fueling beverage innovation—and why customizable, craveable drinks are driving growth in 2026.

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

Cracker Barrel reports steepest traffic decline since botched rebrand

Despite focusing on menu quality and value, the chain reported a 10% traffic drop nearly six months after it attempted to remove its iconic Uncle Herschel from its branding.

By Julie Littman • March 5, 2026

Del Taco unveils 18-month turnaround plan

Under its Project Sunrise roadmap, the chain will focus on quality and consistency of menu items, bold innovation to drive trial, expansion of catering and a more impactful loyalty program.

By Julie Littman • March 5, 2026

How spring holidays can boost restaurant sales

Savvy planning for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter visits can help restaurants recover after a challenging winter season.

By Danielle McLean • March 4, 2026

Papa Johns will drop Papadias, Papa Bites from menu

While the two items drove incremental sales in past quarters, they can disrupt operational rhythm and create more complexities, CEO Todd Penegor said.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 27, 2026

Sweetgreen may change its pricing after disaster quarter

The salad chain suffered the worst quarter among major fast casual restaurants. It is now rethinking everything from core prices to its menu’s emphasis on bowls.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 27, 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

McDonald’s launches supersized Big Arch Burger in US

The limited-time offer is part of the chain’s strategy to help drive sales and traffic by boosting food quality.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 25, 2026

Panera debuts Mix & Match value menu

Two years after introducing its Value Duets, the chain now offers 10 items for $4.99 as part of a strategy to improve its value proposition.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 25, 2026

Inside the 18-month reset reviving Couche-Tard’s US food business

After a hot start in 2020, Circle K’s Fresh Food, Fast program slowed. Executives are now fine-tuning the offering through operational improvements and menu updates to spark new growth.

By Brett Dworski • Feb. 23, 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

Habit Burger launches core menu update

The menu additions and upgrades could help the fast casual chain grow same-store sales, which were down 1% in 2025.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 17, 2026