The Latest

  • An image of a man leaving a Chipotle. He is holding a brown bag.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Tracking the same-store sales of 24 major restaurant chains

    Q3 2025 saw more evidence of a casual dining resurgence, as fast casual sales continued to slow and QSRs posted divergent results.

    Updated Dec. 1, 2025
  • person holding phone
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by PAR Technology
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by PAR Technology

    The 3 ingredients of the golden age of loyalty

    Loyalty’s golden age: brands win with personal, playful and community-driven engagement.

  • Cups and Munchkins on a Yellow Brick Road
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Dunkin'
    Image attribution tooltip

    Dunkin’ and Starbucks boost traffic with holiday LTOs

    The chains’ successful holiday campaigns show the legacy coffee sector isn’t out of ammunition in a competitive battle with rising stars.

  • A picture of a restaurant interior. Empty tables, white tile, green walls.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Perkins
    Image attribution tooltip

    Perkins names new brand president

    Matt Carpenter brings decades of restaurant experience from both sides of the franchisee-franchisor divide, and could help Perkins modernize and expand. 

  • A photograph of a gray storefrot with a yellow sign that says Qdoba
    Image attribution tooltip
    jetcityimage via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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.

  • A photograph of a gray sign with a red box inside with white letters that says "Jack" under the box it says "in the box."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    What’s next for Jack in the Box after its Del Taco sale?

    The burger chain is in “survival” mode as it struggles to pay down debt and get back to basics, one expert said.

    M&A
  • A photo of the exterior of a store in Japan. A sign above the storesays 7-Eleven.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Frank Beard
    Image attribution tooltip
    Column

    The 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.

  • Bicycle gig workers congregate on the street with their packs.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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. 

  • An image of a beige building with signage that says Dickey's Barbecue Pit.
    Image attribution tooltip
    J. Michael Jones via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    Dickey’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.

  • An image of a group of people holding balloons and launching confetti. They are in front of a white building with a sign that says Chipotle.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Chipotle
    Image attribution tooltip

    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.

  • A Starbucks coffee cup
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt / Staff via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks’ ‘illegal race-based’ DEI at center of Florida AG’s lawsuit

    Starbucks said its hiring practices are “inclusive, fair and competitive, and designed to ensure the strongest candidate for every job, every time.”

  • An image of Buffalo Wild Wings with its to-go branded section
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Inspire Brands
    Image attribution tooltip

    Inspire Brands announces 5 executive shifts

    The restaurant giant is strengthening the leadership of its brands, especially Buffalo Wild Wings Go, its rapidly growing fast casual spin-off.

  • An image of a storefront with a sign that says Pieology Pizzeria.
    Image attribution tooltip
    sanfel via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Pieology files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after turnaround fails

    The fast casual pizza chain said it had a plan to revive dozens of underperforming stores, but investors backed out.

  • An evening image of Marco's Pizza
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Marco's Pizza
    Image attribution tooltip

    Marco’s Pizza hires CFO, CMO

    Bill Schaffler becomes the high-growth pizza chain’s top financial executive while Steve Kennedy will oversee marketing efforts.

  • A person in a suit stands on stage surrounded by a large crowd in the stands.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks’ on-premise experience could stave off coffee competitors

    CEO Brian Niccol said the chain’s emphasis on a coffeehouse atmosphere would result in consumers choosing the chain over “soulless” options.

  • A photograph of a rectanguler sign with a Cracker Barrel logo and its Uncle Herschel mascot
    Image attribution tooltip
    marcnorman via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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.

  • Taco Bell's $5, $7 and $9 luxe boxes. Each combo meal contains several items, a side and a drink.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Taco Bell
    Image attribution tooltip

    Yum Brands: Solo dining, customization are reshaping value strategy

    Chief Marketing Officer Ken Muench said the lack of control and predictability in consumers’ lives is pushing diners toward customized experiences — even when that means passing up a deal.

  • The In-n-Out logo is displayed on the front of an In-n-Out restaurant on October 28, 2021 in Pleasant Hill, California.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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.

  • Colin Cochran tells reporters why he thinks Starbucks Workers United will win in Cheektowaga
    Image attribution tooltip
    Aneurin E Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    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.

  • A lighted McDonald's sign at dusk reading 'Extra Value Meals are back.'
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of McDonald's
    Image attribution tooltip

    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. 

  • An image of various menu items with honey barbecue pork from McAlister's Deli.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by McAlister's Deli/GoTo Foods
    Image attribution tooltip

    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.

  • An image of a sausage slider and pretzel bites from White Castle
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by White Castle
    Image attribution tooltip

    White Castle tests sausage sliders, pretzel bites

    Guests in three markets will help the chain determine if it will add the Cheddar Smoked Sausage Slider and Pretzel Nibblers to its nationwide menu.

  • Potbelly Sandwich Shop in National Harbor, Maryland, taken by Julie Littman of Restaurant Dive
    Image attribution tooltip
    Julie Littman/Restaurant Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    The most impactful c-store foodservice moves of 2025

    While many retailers upped their food capabilities this year, a few investments stood out for their boldness and industry-wide influence.

  • A photo of Washington, DC's city hall.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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. 

  • A photo of the exterior of a building adjacent to gas pumps. A Sign over the door says Mooyah Burgers, Fries, Shakes
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Mooyah
    Image attribution tooltip

    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.

  • An image of a building with a sign that says "Sweetgreen."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
    Image attribution tooltip

    A market of extremes: How 2026 will impact restaurant winners and losers

    Price compression has intensified competition between restaurant sectors, as executives look back on a bifurcated year.