The Latest
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Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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 -
Courtesy of Subway
Subway hires president of North America
Damien Harmon joins the chain alongside two other regional presidents assigned to accelerate sustainable growth and boost franchisee profitability.
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Permission granted by DoorDash
DoorDash adds loyalty program for partner restaurants
Restaurants can choose from visit-based or spend-based rewards programs, and customers can accrue points across multiple channels, including in-store.
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Courtesy of Applebee's
How Applebee’s sharper marketing turned around sales ahead of NFL season
The casual dining chain recently achieved positive same-store sales growth for the first time in two years, Dine Brands CEO John Peyton explains.
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Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle targets Gen Z with college rewards program
The fast casual chain is offering free points, occasional prize drops and faster rewards accrual to loyalty members who validate their college enrollment.
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Scott Olson via Getty Images
Activist investor targets Dine Brands
The Edge Consulting Group, which has roughly a 1% stake in the company, wants Dine to consider divesting non-core assets like Fuzzy’s Taco Shop.
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TennesseePhotographer via Getty Images
Bravo Brio Restaurants declares bankruptcy a second time
Restaurants in shopping centers with high vacancy and low foot traffic have struggled, especially with softening consumer discretionary spending.
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Permission granted by Del Taco/ezCater
Del Taco expands catering with ezCater
The partnership is live in about 250 restaurants, and more units will be phased onto the platform through 2026.
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Courtesy of Sweetgreen
Fast casual chains remain optimistic about unit development
Despite Wingstop, Sweetgreen and Chipotle posting negative comparable sales in Q2, they remain focused on building stores and expanding into new markets.
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jetcityimage via Getty Images
Texas Roadhouse promotes chief growth officer
Lloyd Paul Marshall, who has worked at the company for almost three decades, will now oversee construction, design and real estate, among other functions.
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hapabapa via Getty Images
Fast food brands fire up AI despite challenging backdrop
McDonald’s, Chipotle and Yum Brands are embedding the technology into workflows to streamline processes and improve customer and employee experiences.
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Courtesy of https://stories.whataburger.com/press-kit
Whataburger hires COO from Flynn Group
Jessica Reicher brings considerable operations experience from her work at Nando’s, Fuddrucker’s and Yum Brands to the growing burger brand.
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Chili’s same-store sales growth tops 20%, again
Three years into its turnaround strategy, the chain continues to outperform the casual dining industry with double-digit traffic growth.
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Courtesy of Cava
Cava leans on tech to free up workers’ time to connect with guests
The company is investing in automated food production for digital orders only, as “technology should enhance, not replace the human experience,” CEO Brett Schulman said.
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Courtesy of Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company accelerates closure of underperforming restaurants
The chain closed 20 company-owned units last year and saw a bump in traffic and sales at nearby restaurants. Now it plans to shutter up to 32 more.
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Courtesy of Bojangles
Bojangles signs 20-unit New York franchise deal
With its return to the Big Apple and a 35-store agreement for New Jersey, Bojangles is poised to establish a major foothold in the Northeast.
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Courtesy of Maggiano's Little Italy
Maggiano’s president departs as brand turnaround proceeds
Rich Kissel, a longtime Chili’s exec who helped revive the chain, joins Maggiano’s as COO after Dominique Bertolone’s resigned as brand president.
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Mario Tama via Getty Images
McDonald’s launches first-party delivery channel with DoorDash
Guests using McDonald’s new white-label DoorDash site don’t need an account or an app to place a delivery order.
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Courtesy of Cava
Cava’s traffic growth slows as consumers show reticence
Fast casual segment leaders fell behind some fast food competitors in sales growth this quarter, with Cava the latest to post flat traffic growth.
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Courtesy of Chipotle/Hyphen
Cava joins Chipotle in backing Hyphen with $10M
The automated makeline company will use the money to accelerate the deployment of its technology, but Cava’s CFO says testing at the brand is unlikely until 2026.
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Courtesy of PepsiCo
Why Coke and Pepsi think dirty soda is a win for restaurants
Consumer demand for premium, customizable beverages is pushing soda makers to add everything from fruit to flavored soft serve ice cream to sodas.
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Permission granted by Fat Brands, Virtual Dining Concepts
Fat Brands to serve Great American Cookies at Chuck E. Cheese
The delivery-only partnership with Virtual Dining Concepts will bring the cookie brand to 400 Chuck E. Cheese locations initially.
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Courtesy of KFC
How KFC’s Potato Wedge LTO ties into its comeback strategy
The chain said consumer demand pushed it to revive the side after a five-year hiatus and bring back Hot & Spicy wings, as well.
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Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
Wendy’s wants good experiences to drive frequency as consumers pull back spending
Customer satisfaction for orders placed through employees and made digitally were each up significantly year over year, but it wasn’t enough to offset a negative quarter.
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Courtesy of GoTo Foods, DoorDash, Wing
GoTo Foods launches drone delivery in Texas
Through a partnership with DoorDash and Wing, the company will offer fast delivery from select restaurants in Frisco, Fort Worth and Plano.
