GoTo Foods appoints Roark exec as CFO

Brett Ubl becomes chief financial officer at the restaurant company, while Francisco Bram joins as chief growth officer as the company prepares for additional global expansion.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 27, 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

Explore the Trendline➔

Back-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

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

Papa Johns will close 300 restaurants

As part of its transformation, the chain will close units that are over 10 years old with AUVs under $600,000 and has already cut 7% of its corporate staff.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 26, 2026

Buns, bots and ad-buys: Burger King talks strategy at RBI investor day

The years-long Reclaim the Flame program will continue with a renewed emphasis on core menu food quality and accelerated refranchising.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • 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

Cava hits $1B in sales, but traffic growth slows

The chain will work to boost visits with menu innovation and other initiatives, CFO Tricia Tolivar said, as the fast casual category fights off headwinds.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 24, 2026

Del Taco operator closes all Georgia locations

Matadoor Restaurant Group closed 14 restaurants in the state months after filing for Chapter 11, but Del Taco says it is looking for options to reopen them.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 24, 2026

Domino’s loyalty program fuels carryout growth

“We stated before that our objectives with the loyalty program was definitely to cater much more to the carryout customer and also to attract light users,” CEO Russell Weiner said.

By Bryan Wassel • Feb. 24, 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

‘This is not personal. It’s business’: Why an expert says the clock is ticking for Fat Brands’ CEO

Andrew Wiederhorn’s days as CEO could be numbered if creditors successfully argue conflict of interests exist, bankruptcy expert Jerrold Bregman said.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 23, 2026

Subway to remove free footlong offer from Sub Club

On April 1, the company will allow members to earn a $2 reward for every 400 points accumulated.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 20, 2026

NRA: Tariffs, immigration and swipe fees will define restaurant politics in 2026

The National Restaurant Association said restaurants need stable trade policy, protections for immigrant workers and lower swipe fees.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 20, 2026

Fat Brands sued by lender over cash use during bankruptcy

352 Capital contests Fat’s plan to use management fees and other cash under securitization receivables to fund operations during Chapter 11 proceedings.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 19, 2026

Toast courts fast food restaurants

The company is entering the drive-thru business in a bid to attract more of the quick-service sector to its customer rolls.

By Patrick Cooley • Feb. 19, 2026

How Wingstop plans to weather traffic slides and winter storms

The company expects investments in speed of service and in loyalty systems will reverse a third quarter of comparable sales declines.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 18, 2026

NRA: Over 25% of restaurant operators use AI

Marketing is the top area where automation is being used, followed by administrative tasks, according to a National Restaurant Association report.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 18, 2026

NRA: Restaurant, foodservice to surpass $1.5 trillion in sales

While challenges related to the economy and food and labor costs will persist, the National Restaurant Association said operators are cautiously optimistic.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 17, 2026

What’s blocking your direct orders? 5 guest experience gaps to fix

Maximize margins and guest loyalty by eliminating these five common friction points in direct ordering.

By Ken Marks - VP, Product Management at Olo • Feb. 17, 2026

Wendy’s pulls back on breakfast hours

The chain is allowing franchisees to focus more on lunch and late-night hours as same-store sales logs its steepest decline in roughly six years.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 13, 2026

McDonald’s is adding energy drinks, craft sodas to McCafe line

The beverages, inspired by the chain’s defunct CosMc’s spinoff, were “highly successful” in a 500-store test and will be deployed nationwide this year. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 13, 2026

Popeyes hopes restaurant-level reliability will turn sales around

The chain, which saw comp sales decline by 4.9% in Q4, has already improved field engagement and targeted support for underperforming restaurants.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 13, 2026

Portillo’s hires Outback Steakhouse vet as CEO

Brett Patterson, who most recently served as CEO of Miller’s Ale House, joins the chain as it slows down its unit growth.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 12, 2026