Operations
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Permission granted by Whataburger
Whataburger unveils 2 new prototypes
As the burger chain expanded outside of Texas, it didn’t always bring its iconic A-frame design with it, but its newest restaurants are about to fix that.
By Julie Littman • May 14, 2026 -
Permission granted by Wetzel's Pretzels/Cold Stone Creamery
Wetzel’s Pretzels, Cold Stone to open 17 co-branded units
The dual-concept units will provide daypart expansion, additional revenue streams and efficient store models for franchisees.
By Julie Littman • May 14, 2026 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Getty Images
TrendlineBack-of-house Technology
From AI-enhanced inventory management systems and analytics to robot-powered kitchen equipment, restaurants are investing in technology solutions to optimize kitchen operations and reduce employee turnover.
By Restaurant Dive staff -
Courtesy of Chicken Salad Chick
Chicken Salad Chick signs 25-store deal in New York
The development agreement is the chain’s first in the state, and its largest in terms of unit count, marking a major step in its national expansion plan.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 14, 2026 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
How Krispy Kreme is making its US operations more profitable
With its shift to third-party logistics complete, the company is focusing on improving operations, growing digital sales and making better doughnuts.
By Julie Littman • May 14, 2026 -
Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
How refranchising is helping Corner Bakery rise from ‘scorched earth’
After years of focus on hospitality, menu reconstruction and unit economics, the fast casual brand is looking to recruit its next generation of operators.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 12, 2026 -
Courtesy of Wing
Papa Johns to deliver sandwiches by air in North Carolina
This partnership, which will operate in parts of Charlotte, is the first between the Alphabet-backed Wing and a national QSR brand.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 12, 2026 -
Courtesy of Aurora Innovation
McLane expanding driverless truck runs in Texas
The supplier is automating long-haul transport between Dallas and Houston, with additional routes focused on restaurants to be added later this year.
By Jessica Loder • May 11, 2026 -
Permission granted by Dine Brands
Dine Brands focuses on new unit growth, dual-brand expansion
The company more than doubled its new unit count during the first quarter, driven by dual-branded openings, relocations and single-concept openings at Applebee’s and IHOP.
By Julie Littman • May 8, 2026 -
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Sweetgreen sales wilt in another punishing quarter
The brand launched wraps to supplement its core bowl and salad business, following its worst quarterly same-store sales performance.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 8, 2026 -
Courtesy of Wendy’s
Wendy’s bets order accuracy and clean stores will revive sales
A 7.8% drop in comparable sales is pressuring the chain to draw consumers back, as Burger King and McDonald’s have seen gains in recent quarters.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 8, 2026 -
Courtesy of Shake Shack
Shake Shack appoints former Portillo’s CFO as it finance chief
Michelle Hook will oversee financial operations at the fast casual chain as it works toward reaching 1,500 units.
By Julie Littman • May 7, 2026 -
Permission granted by Papa Johns
Papa Johns suffers major 6.4% comp sales drop
The chain hopes new menu items, operational improvements and local advertising cooperatives can fend off Domino’s value offensive.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 7, 2026 -
Courtesy of Burger King
Burger King’s sales jumped, Popeyes slumped in Q1
Years of investment in the burger brand’s operations and menu have won consumers back, but a loss of focus on service and the core menu hurt the chicken chain.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 6, 2026 -
Courtesy of Subway
Subway closed at least 729 stores in 2025
This marks the beleaguered chain’s steepest decline since 2021, driven by oversaturation and a low average unit volume.
By Julie Littman • May 5, 2026 -
Permission granted by Refuel Operating Company
Refuel to open its first Whataburger
The South Carolina-based retailer will debut the burger QSR adjacent to an upcoming c-store in Kenedy, Texas, later this year.
By Brett Dworski • May 5, 2026 -
Courtesy of McDonald's
McDonald’s updates McCafé branding ahead of beverage expansion
The chain updated the font style and coloring on its McCafé cups to better showcase its forthcoming crafted sodas, refreshers and energy drinks.
By Julie Littman • May 4, 2026 -
Courtesy of Huey Magoo's
Huey Magoo’s cuts drive-thru build costs by 40%
The regional chicken tender chain is looking to increase the flexibility of its real estate development strategy.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 4, 2026 -
krblokhin via Getty Images
Culver’s to add computer vision to 1K restaurants
Through a partnership with Berry AI, the fast food chain will use the technology to measure service execution, vehicle flow and throughput to improve accuracy and speed of service.
By Julie Littman • May 1, 2026 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Chipotle expands drone pilot, accelerates equipment package deployment
New technology and the chain’s high-efficiency equipment package are helping teams perform better and improve hospitality, boosting sales.
By Julie Littman • April 30, 2026 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle traffic turns positive after menu innovation
The chain saw transactions and sales growth during Q1 with customers attracted by Chicken Al Pastor, a Cilantro Lime sauce and high-protein items.
By Julie Littman • April 30, 2026 -
Courtesy of Chili's
Chili’s chicken sandwiches are boosting traffic, sales
The casual chain is already selling 161% more chicken sandwiches since its April 14 launch, and reports strong guest satisfaction with the bigger portions.
By Julie Littman • April 29, 2026 -
Courtesy of McDonald's
McDonald’s adds beverage specialists to make refreshers, dirty sodas
High-performing crew members will be trained for the beverage station, with all crew members eventually rotating into the role.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 28, 2026 -
Permission granted by Freddy's
Freddy’s hires 2 development execs as it nears 600 units
Rafik Farouk will help the burger brand fill in existing markets and enter new ones, while Jackie Lobdell will work to recruit new operators.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 28, 2026 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Domino’s expects Papa Johns, Pizza Hut to close more stores
CEO Russell Weiner predicts pizza competitors will see more profitability issues as they offer steep discounts to drive sales, while Domino’s franchisees continue to improve margins.
By Julie Littman • April 28, 2026 -
Courtesy of Domino's
Domino’s same-store sales hit a speed bump — but execs aren’t worried
Competitive pressures over value, dwindling consumer confidence and bad weather resulted in a same-stores sales increase of just 0.9%, far below expectations and Q4’s 3.7% growth.
By Julie Littman • April 27, 2026
