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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 -
Courtesy of Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut dishes out holiday value in multichannel campaign
The pizza chain supports its value-oriented holiday messaging with comedic ads, in-person events and digital games.
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Starbucks Workers United launches 65-store strike
The union said its members are prepared for the longest and most serious strike in the brand’s history, aimed at pushing Starbucks to agree to more favorable contract terms.
Updated Nov. 13, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Why Panera’s CEO prioritizes hospitality over tech
Paul Carbone said the chain is improving order accuracy and store layouts, rather than deploying “technology that’s looking for a problem to solve.”
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Courtesy of Culver's
How Culver’s home-grown franchisees power its growth
By turning long-tenured GMs into owner-operators, the chain ensures a steady supply of franchisees who are committed to the brand and have significant operational experience.
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Courtesy of Dave & Buster's
Dave & Buster’s rolls out revamped menu
The menu, which includes 100 food and beverage items, yielded strong check growth during its pilot phase.
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Courtesy of P.F. Chang's
P.F. Chang’s hires CEO
Jim Mazany brings decades of restaurant executive experience to the Asian chain, which is poised to ramp up growth and refine its fast casual concept.
Updated Nov. 11, 2025 -
Brandon Bell / Staff via Getty Images
Wendy’s doubles down on marketing effectiveness as part of turnaround
The QSR’s partnership with consultant Creed UnCo aims to clarify what drives purchasing decisions and refine messaging around value.
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FireAtDusk via Getty Images
Wendy’s could close hundreds of restaurants
With McDonald’s and Burger King posting same-store sales gains, Wendy’s is under pressure to raise its average unit volume.
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Robert Way via Getty Images
RBI sells majority stake in Burger King China business
A joint venture with Chinese asset manager CPE will focus on growing the chain from 1,250 units to 4,000 by the end of 2035.
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Permission granted by &pizza
Why emerging chain &pizza just bought a Tex-Mex brand
The creation of Latitude Food Group will allow for &pizza and Tijuana Flats to share resources while they look to grow outside their regional bases.
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Scott Olson via Getty Images
Sweetgreen battered by 9.5% same-store sales drop
The salad chain suffered one of the worst third quarters among publicly traded fast casuals, as young consumers in core markets pulled back and value plays ate into margins.
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Permission granted by Dutch Bros
Dutch Bros to take breakfast nationwide in 2026
The drive-thru coffee chain is putting pressure on legacy competitors with its goal to be a one-stop shop in the morning daypart.
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Courtesy of Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen sells Spyce to Wonder for $186M
Sweetgreen will use the proceeds from offloading Spyce, which developed the salad brand’s Infinite Kitchen technology, to reinvest in profitability after three quarters of sales declines.
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Permission granted by Tijuana Flats
&pizza acquires Tijuana Flats, creates holding company
Latitude Food Group will oversee both the pizza and Tex-Mex chains, and could acquire additional concepts in the future.
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Courtesy of Bloomin' Brands
Bloomin’ to invest $50M in Outback Steakhouse overhaul in 2026
The turnaround will touch everything from steak quality to marketing, and the cost will be partly offset by productivity investments.
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Permission granted by BJ's Restaurant
BJ’s Restaurants hires Red Robin exec as CFO
Todd Wilson will join the company in December and will help improve the brand’s financial foundation and help it achieve its long-term strategic goals.
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Permission granted by Daybright Coffee and Refreshment
An inside look at Chick-fil-A’s beverage concept
Daybright, which opened Oct. 30, offers a range of smoothies, specialty coffee, iced tea, lemonades and a kid’s menu.
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CRobertson via Getty Images
Red Robin names COO, CFO departs
Todd Wilson will leave the company on Dec. 12 after three years at the casual dining chain, which also promoted Jesse Griffith to chief operating officer.
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Courtesy of McDonald's
McDonald’s Extra Value Meals insulated sales from diner price sensitivity
Reductions in combo meal prices helped McDonald’s offset consumer pullback in the U.S. in Q3, and the chain will double down on its value efforts.
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Courtesy of Dine Brands
Dine Brands to open 80 dual-branded US restaurants by end of 2026
CEO John Peyton said there is white space opportunity in the U.S. to open about 900 co-branded Applebee’s/IHOP locations, which reap up to twice the sales of standard units.
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Mario Tama via Getty Images
Cava’s traffic growth stalls as fast casual market cools
The brand does not plan to use discounts as a traffic driver, CFO Tricia Tolivar said, noting that it is confident in its holistic value proposition.
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Courtesy of Wingstop
Wingstop’s comparable sales slump worsens
Reduced spending by Hispanic and low-income consumers led to a decline in sales that exceeded expectations.
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Courtesy of Popeyes
RBI appoints new Popeyes US president, Burger King US COO
Peter Perdue has been promoted to Popeyes U.S. and Canada president, and Nicolas Henrich is now Burger King U.S. chief operating officer.
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Denny’s sells itself for $620M
TriArtisan Capital, Yadav Enterprises and Treville Capital Group will buy the chain in an all-cash transaction that will take the casual dining chain private.
