The Latest

  • An image of a man leaving a Chipotle. He is holding a brown bag.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Tracking the same-store sales of 21 major restaurant chains

    Major publicly traded restaurant chains had a strange Q2 for comps growth, from Chili’s 23% jump to Sweetgreen’s 7.6% shortfall.

    Updated Aug. 18, 2025
  • Happy cook preparing food while working in the kitchen in restaurant.
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    shutterstock.com/Drazen Zigic

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    Sponsored by Prime Shrimp

    The Modern Mise En Place: Why smart restaurants are embracing streamlined food solutions

    Smart restaurants are using curated, pre-prepped foods to boost consistency, profit, and quality.

  • An image of Quarter Pounder, fries and a drink from McDonald's
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s launches $200M grassland conservation initiative

    The sustainability project doubles as a long-term investment in U.S. beef supply chains, as tariffs on major beef producers loom.

  • An imae of a white and beige restaurant with red awnings. The center is a logo of a person wearing glasses.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    KFC hires Wingstop marketer as CMO to fire up comeback plan

    Melissa Cash takes over at the Yum chain for Catherine Tan-Gillespie, who was promoted from CMO to president in April.

  • Overly busy restaurant
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    JazzIRT via Getty Images
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    The restaurant labor market in 6 key statistics

    After a year of relatively stability, turnover and unemployment are on the rise again, while total jobs and wage growth are nearly flat.

    Updated Sept. 16, 2025
  • An image of a beige brick buidling with a logo that says Black Rock Coffee Bar
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    Retrieved from Black Rock Coffee Bar on September 12, 2025
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    Black Rock Coffee raises nearly $300M in IPO

    The 158-unit chain is the first major coffee brand to go public since Dutch Bros debuted on the stock exchange in 2021.

  • Plates of breakfast food.
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    Courtesy of IHOP
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    IHOP offers $6 value menu daily

    The breakfast chain could be looking to replicate sister brand Applebee’s success in using expanded value offerings to drive traffic.

  • An image of a digital menu board that says "Extra Value Meals are back" on the other panel there is a photo of an egg sandwich and a $5.
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    Permission granted by McDonald's
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    Value menu traffic rose 1% in Q2: Circana

    Foodservice traffic otherwise fell by 1% during the quarter, revealing how various deals and offers are helping bring customers back.

  • Chipotle
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle is cheaper than competitors, but consumers haven’t noticed: BTIG

    The Mexican fast casual brand has a significant pricing advantage over competitors like Sweetgreen, but it is still facing value-perception problems.

  • A person on a smartphone walks by a Shake Shack restaurant
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    How Shake Shack removes friction between web traffic and app downloads

    As it begins to invest in paid media at scale, the fast casual chain teamed with Google to drive more app conversions and return on ad spend.

  • Two men in suits sign papers.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle is coming to Asia in 2026

    The brand has signed an agreement with operator SPC Group to open stores in South Korea and Singapore starting next year.

  • A photo of the interior of a RaceTrac site.
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    Courtesy of RaceTrac
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    RaceTrac fills a key gap with Potbelly acquisition

    The fast-growing regional chain isn’t known as a foodservice destination. That could all change quickly with this latest deal, experts said.

    M&A
  • An image of a breakfast sandwich, coffee and hashbrowns on a table
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    Permission granted by Portillo's
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    Portillo’s cuts projected openings, breakfast pilot

    The fast casual chain will focus on core markets and simplify operations as pricing and promotional problems weigh on same-store sales.

  • A collection of four different sandwiches on top of apper that has the Subway logo.
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    Permission granted by Subway
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    Subway resurrects Fresh Fit menu

    The latest iteration of the health-focused menu, which debuted in 2007, combines protein-rich options and vegetables to create low-calorie meals.

  • Exterior of a Potbelly restaurant
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    Potbelly sold to RaceTrac for $566M

    The sandwich shop said its acquisition by the c-store retailer will help it reach its 2,000-unit goal.

    Updated Sept. 10, 2025
    M&A
  • An image of a person in a coat in front of an orange background with the Togo's logo.
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    Permission granted by Togo's Sandwiches
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    Togo’s Sandwiches former CEO retakes the helm

    Glenn Lunde, who was at the brand for five years before joining Yoshinoya’s, will reprise his role with a focus on digital channels and franchised growth.

  • An image of a building with Cracker Barrel branding
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    Courtesy of Cracker Barrel
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    Cracker Barrel halts remodels after logo backlash, lackluster test

    The chain only remodeled four stores before deciding to discontinue its reimage efforts, which drew the ire of loyal customers. 

  • An image of Pinstripes
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    Courtesy of Pinstripes
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    Pinstripes goes bankrupt

    The eatertainment chain, whose founder dreamed of reaching 150 units, is now down to eight after traffic and spending declines pressured liquidity.

  • A rendering of a bagel shop.
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    Courtesy of Einstein Bros. Bagels
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    Einstein Bros. Bagels elevates store template

    The bagel chain is the latest restaurant brand to prioritize warmth and a separation between digital pickup and in-store channels in its store design. 

  • A smiling white man in a suit. He's wearing a jacket with peaked lapels and no tie, for what it's worth.
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    Permission granted by Starbucks
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    By the numbers: Starbucks’ first year under CEO Brian Niccol

    What’s changed 12 months after the chain’s dramatic restaurant leadership shakeup? The numbers reveal a mix of store growth, declining comp sales and continued labor strife. 

  • A portrait of Sean Tresvant, Taco Bell's incoming CEO.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Yum prepares for CEO swap with more exec changes

    As Chris Turner prepares to take over Yum, Taco Bell’s parent company promoted three leaders, including a CFO, and will add a chief scale officer role.

  • The exterior of a Benihana
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    Permission granted by Benihana/The One Group Hospitality
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    The One Group Hospitality promotes Benihana exec to CFO

    Nicole Thaung, who has been at the Japanese chain for 15 years, becomes the parent company’s top financial executive following Tyler Loy’s departure.

  • A photograph of a sign with black letters that says "Waffle House." Each letter is in a box with a yellow background.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Waffle House expands DoorDash delivery partnership nationwide

    While delivery will be available from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. from Waffle House’s digital channels, a handful of restaurants will offer delivery 24/7 from DoorDash’s app.

  • Three pumpkin themed coffee drinks from Starbucks. Two are iced, one is hot and has whipped cream.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte broke records. Is that enough?

    CEO Brian Niccol said the chain had its strongest sales Tuesday ever, and Placer.ai data showed the launch outpaced rivals’ fall LTO debuts.

  • A person wearing a black suite smiles at the camera
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s hires Marco’s Pizza exec as CMO

    Denise Lauer will help enhance the fast casual chain’s digital capabilities and boost guest engagement and brand awareness.

  • Checkers and Rally's meal
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    Courtesy of Checkers and Rally's
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    Why Checkers and Rally’s are keeping the pedal to the metal on value

    CMO Scott Johnson explains how the sister chains built on a new brand platform via a partnership with rapper GloRilla as the QSR value wars persist.