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

    Q4 2025 saw more evidence of a casual dining resurgence, as fast casual sales continued to slow and QSRs posted divergent results.

    Updated March 10, 2026
  • Wrapped bagels at the counter
    Image attribution tooltip

    Photo courtesy of H&H Bagels

    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Toast

    How H&H Bagels managed 900 orders on opening day without selling out

    Five operational lessons from the launch of a new H&H Bagels location.

  • A woman grins at her phone while eating a Subway sandwich in a promotion image for the chain's MVP Rewards.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Subway
    Image attribution tooltip

    Diners are becoming less loyal: Tillster

    Leading brands in the restaurant sector could face greater competition from c-stores and grocery chains.

  • A rendering of a building prototype that is red and beige with Smoothie King sigange
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Smoothie King
    Image attribution tooltip

    Smoothie King to add flatbreads, high-protein food items

    The rollout is part of a brand evolution plan that includes store redesigns and national advertising to support the chain’s aggressive growth strategy. 

  • A sign that says "Since 1956 Jersey Miek's Subs"
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Jersey Mike’s could go public

    Rapid store growth and strong unit volumes have made the sandwich chain a restaurant sector success story. Will that track record yield a successful IPO?

  • A sign on a Chipotle restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    A look at how Chipotle’s loyalty relaunch could affect customer behavior

    Value is key to the loyalty revamp, and the approach could drive in-restaurant traffic and help the company win over less frequent customers.

  • A photo of a Cava location in a brick endcap retail space.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Cava
    Image attribution tooltip

    Cava opens first St. Louis location in Midwestern growth push

    Cava could reach 500 restaurants nationwide later this year, thanks in part to new market entries and infill in areas where it has a modest presence.

  • A photograph of two arms holding up a plate of prawns above a wooden table full of food.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    Who’s Hungry? What GroundTruth’s first-party data says about today’s restaurant visitors.

    Most diners eat at places within 10 miles of their homes, so operators should target customers closest to their restaurants before expanding outward, GroundTruth’s Hayden Erwin says.

  • A Dairy Queen location
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Dairy Queen expands drive-thru voice AI test

    Franchisees will now have access to Presto’s technology after a pilot yielded positive results at company-owned stores.

  • A photograph of a fast food employee handing a paper bag to a person in a car.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Hi Auto
    Image attribution tooltip

    Hi Auto’s latest tech targets the drive-thru pickup window

    The company has partnered with three brands, including Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, to beta test technology that will monitor guest and employee interactions at the pickup window.

  • A person stands at a podium
    Image attribution tooltip
    Jim Vondruska/Getty Images via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chicago’s tip credit elimination plan is back, for now

    Chicago city councilors failed to overturn a mayoral veto of the council’s tipped wage freeze on Wednesday.

  • A photograph of salmon held in tongs over a bowl of various vegetables, rice and greens.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Cava
    Image attribution tooltip

    Cava adds glazed salmon to menu

    The first seafood offering at the fast casual chain could be one of several new proteins in test, including roasted garlic shrimp, coming to the menu.

    Updated April 15, 2026
  • A Starbucks store stands in Manhattan on January 30, 2024 in New York City.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks lets customers discover drinks, start orders in ChatGPT

    The app, in beta, takes the prompt-driven inspiration of ChatGPT and pushes customers into the Starbucks ecosystem to complete their orders.

  • Six versions of Chili's Big Crispy Chicken Sandwich
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chili's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chili’s serves up new Big Crispy chicken sandwich platform

    The chain is balancing the 3 for Me value offering with more premium versions of its Big Crispy sandwich to preserve its margins and sales mix.

  • A person eats Smashburger food
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Smashburger
    Image attribution tooltip

    Smashburger hires newcomer agency Understory amid creative revamp

    The shop, which launched this year, looks to bring more cultural relevance to Smashburger’s marketing after the brand recently admitted it lost focus.

  • Five fancy drinks at McDonald's against a dark blue background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of McDonald's
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonalds to launch refreshers and crafted sodas in May

    The chain will expand its beverage menu nationwide after a highly successful test period at 500 restaurants last year.

  • A portrait of a smiling person wearing a red blazer over a white undershirt.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Denny's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Denny’s appoints CEO, announces turnaround plan

    Christopher Bode will lead the chain as it undertakes a 24-month initiative that will cover menu development, digital transformation and operational excellence.

    Updated April 13, 2026
  • A split photograph with two executive headshots with the person on the left wearing a blue checkered shirt while the person on the right is wearing a black blazer and white shirt.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of GoTo Foods
    Image attribution tooltip

    GoTo Foods appoints chief digital and development officers

    Tatiana Lambert, a former Wendy’s executive, will oversee “disciplined” franchise growth, and Biplav Misra will lead digital strategy.

  • A fast casual restaurant with a celebratory crowd ready for its opening.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chicken Salad Chick
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chicken Salad Chick hires Popeyes exec to lead franchised growth

    Brian Lindley joins the chain as it continues franchised expansion, particularly with younger operators, while reducing the operating costs of its stores.

  • A promotional image for Chipotles "rewards on repeat" loyalty launch.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chipotle
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle overhauls rewards system

    More free items, greater redemption flexibility and an in-store campaign to boost enrollment could help the fast casual giant grow its rewards base.

  • An image of a resaturant with Church's Chicken on the side of the building
    Image attribution tooltip
    jetcityimage via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Church’s Texas Chicken plots 600-unit expansion in China

    The company’s international brand, Texas Chicken, will open its first unit in Shanghai this summer as it continues developing globally. 

  • A Starbucks worker in a green apron and a black shirt.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    How Starbucks, Target, Dave & Buster’s invest in employees to boost CX

    Financial incentives, better training and unified company culture are among the tools companies are using to enhance the employee experience.

  • Two people sit at a table in a dark cafe with warm lighting.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks hires Chipotle’s chief development officer

    Stephen Piacentini will help the coffee chain execute its ambitious renovation and development plans as part of the Back to Starbucks initiative.

  • A hand holds a bread roll from Panera with a salad inside
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Panera Bread
    Image attribution tooltip

    How Panera developed its Salad Stuffers

    Creating its Italian Stuffed Roll took 20 iterations to ensure that it had the right crunch, softness and could properly hold a salad.

  • A woman holds up her smart phone to a tablet that is asking what percentage of a tip should be added.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Popmenu: 35% of diners are cutting back on restaurant tips

    Tipping fatigue and consumer price sensitivity driven by inflation may be lowering both the frequency and size of tips given to workers.

  • a nighttime image of a Carl's jr
    Image attribution tooltip
    slobo via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Carl’s Jr franchisee says California’s $20 minimum wage led to bankruptcy

    Friendly Franchisees Corp.’s subsidiary Sun Gir said the pay increase led to significant expenses, while sales declines exacerbated financial woes.