Operations
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Hispanolistic via Getty Images
Deep Dive6 restaurant trends to watch in 2026
Restaurants may face cost savings challenges and sales declines amid continued supply chain disruptions, but can leverage consumer demand for cheaper menu items and experiential meals to stand out.
By Emma Liem Beckett , Aneurin Canham-Clyne , Julie Littman • Jan. 8, 2026 -
Permission granted by Salad and Go
Salad and Go ceases operations in Texas, Oklahoma
The drive-thru salad chain will close 32 restaurants just months after 41 units closed and will focus on its home state of Arizona, as well as Nevada.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 8, 2026 -
Explore the Trendlineâž”
Permission granted by Homeroom
TrendlineIndependent restaurants
Dining room refreshes, menu innovation and other unique offerings can help independents stand out from competitors, win new customers and keep existing ones coming back.
By Restaurant Dive staff -
Courtesy of Blaze Pizza
Q&AWhy Blaze Pizza’s new CEO began his tenure making pizzas
John Owen told Restaurant Dive that working shoulder to shoulder with restaurant staff increased his understanding of operational issues.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 8, 2026 -
Retrieved from CKE Restaurants/LinkedIn on January 07, 2026
CKE Restaurants hires Habit Burger exec as Carl’s Jr brand president
Iwona Alter brings nearly two decades of restaurant experience and has expertise in marketing and operations.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 8, 2026 -
hapabapa via Getty Images
Why Jollibee is planning a US IPO for its international business
The company will maintain its Philippine operations and stock listing, but will create a separate public company to oversee its global footprint.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 6, 2026 -
Courtesy of Dutch Bros
Dutch Bros hires Taco Bell, Cava vet as chief shops officer
Jennifer Somers will oversee the company’s field organization and shop operations as it works toward opening 1,000 more units by 2029.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 6, 2026 -
Courtesy of Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A adds floats, frosted sodas to permanent menu
Mixing the brand’s soft serve with sodas gives Chick-fil-A an easy way to add new beverage platforms without increased complexity or equipment costs.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 5, 2026 -
Andrew Burton via Getty Images
Sprinkles Cupcakes shutters all company-owned bakeries
Company founder Candace Nelson, who sold the chain in 2012 to private equity, shared in an Instagram video that these locations closed on Dec. 31.
By Julie Littman • Updated Jan. 1, 2026 -
Permission granted by Firehouse Subs
Bolla Market opens first of several Firehouse Subs
The sandwich shop debuted on Nov. 15 at a Bolla Market in Hicksville, New York. Another in Farmingdale is expected for the end of January.
By Brett Dworski • Dec. 22, 2025 -
RapidEye via Getty Images
How restaurants are navigating tariff-related costs this holiday season
Operators are getting creative when crafting menus, setting prices, scheduling staff, and finding new revenue amid surging expenses exacerbated by tariffs.
By Danielle McLean • Dec. 22, 2025 -
Courtesy of Mixue
China’s popular Mixue boba shop launches in US
The brand, which offers low-priced boba tea drinks, opened its first U.S. location in Los Angeles and plans to open more in New York shortly.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 22, 2025 -
Courtesy of Sweetgreen
4 restaurant menu strategy fails in 2025
From french fries that clogged up core operations to unprofitable doughnuts, national chains tried and abandoned a wide range of menu tactics to woo diners in 2025.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 19, 2025 -
Brett Dworski/Restaurant Dive
ColumnFueling Up: How foodservice and QSRs can reshape c-store labor in 2026
Hiring and retaining good workers has become an intractable challenge for the industry. Building first-class food programs could help retailers finally break through.
By Brett Dworski • Dec. 16, 2025 -
Permission granted by Frank Beard
ColumnThe Road Ahead: What if c-stores don’t need to become QSRs?
The success of Japan’s convenience stores demonstrates the opportunity in selling food designed for everyday living, not just indulgent moments.
By Frank Beard • Dec. 15, 2025 -
jetcityimage via Getty Images
Doherty adds Qdoba to portfolio, plans 27-unit development
The agreement with Doherty is part of a spate of agreements by Qdoba that will result in 90 new restaurants across New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 15, 2025 -
Permission granted by Chipotle
Chipotle opens 4,000th unit
The chain is over halfway to its goal of operating 7,000 restaurants across the U.S. and Canada, and plans to add more efficient equipment across its system.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 12, 2025 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
DoorDash, Uber Eats sue NYC over tip prompt rules
The delivery aggregators allege that New York City’s requirement that they ask consumers to tip drivers before checkout abridges their freedom of speech.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 12, 2025 -
J. Michael Jones via Getty Images
Deep DiveDickey’s discounting strategy is burning profits, franchisees say
Marketing tactics like free sandwich cards, frequent loyalty perks and catering discounts made the brand the Bed Bath & Beyond of barbecue, operators say.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 11, 2025 -
marcnorman via Getty Images
Cracker Barrel’s traffic slides 7%
The chain is working to return traffic to positive territory after its rebranding controversy by focusing on food quality, operational efficiencies and connecting better with guests.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 10, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
In-N-Out opens first Tennessee restaurants
Three locations outside of Nashville will open this week, the first of 35 locations expected across the state.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 9, 2025 -
Aneurin E Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
By the numbers: 4 years of Starbucks Workers United
Years after winning its first election, Starbucks Workers United remains without a contract despite election wins, shopfloor organizing and a national strike.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 9, 2025 -
Courtesy of McDonald's
McDonald’s updates franchising standards over value
The chain will begin assessing pricing decisions by its operators in January to ensure that the system continues to provide the ideal customer experience.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 9, 2025 -
Permission granted by McAlister's Deli/GoTo Foods
Inside McAlister’s biggest menu update in years
The chain added several pork-based core menu items during late summer and is now testing salad and grain bowls, plus starters like dips.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 8, 2025 -
Getty Images
DC labor groups want $25 minimum wage and to kill the tip credit
Buoyed by the success of Zohran Mamdani and goaded by the revision of Initiative 82, labor organizations in Washington, D.C., are picking a bigger version of a familiar fight.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 8, 2025 -
Permission granted by Mooyah
Texas-based burger chain opens first c-store-adjacent site
Mooyah expects its Michigan location to be the first of many to run alongside gas stations.
By Jessica Loder • Dec. 8, 2025
