The Latest
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Tracking the same-store sales of 23 major restaurant chains
Q2 2026 saw more evidence of a casual dining resurgence, as fast casual sales stabilized and QSRs posted mixed results.
Updated Aug. 27, 2026 -
Sponsored by Mars Food Services
Making dessert work harder: The business case for seasonal LTOs
Seasonal desserts can do more than add a sweet finish — they can help drive check growth and give guests a reason to return. Discover how to create craveable holiday LTOs.
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Sweetgreen raises top manager pay to $200K
The change is a substantial increase in the brand’s compensation ceiling, reflecting continued investment in career paths and retention, according to COO Jason Cochran.
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What McDonald’s dropping its FIFA sponsorship means for sports marketing
The fast food giant's marketing model is evolving, which could have downstream implications for QSR competitors’ marketing efforts.
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Deep Dive
What this Wendy’s operator bankruptcy can teach franchisees
Meritage Hospitality Group’s fiscal troubles are likely a harbinger of rough times to come, but franchisees can work with creditors and vendors to better their financial positions, experts said.
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Casey’s launches pan pizza
The retailer is adding the offering to all of its stores as it found many markets lacked easy access to the crust type.
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Taco Bell, Pepsi renew vows after KFC divorce
Remaining with the sodamaker signals strategic menu continuity for Taco Bell and the Mountain Dew Baja Blast, while sister-brand KFC pursues an overhaul.
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Analysis
Why Q3 marked the end of fast food value wars
A two-year QSR value war produced only losers, analysts say, and brands are now looking to quality, rather than price, as a frequency driver.
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Opinion
Restaurants are about to inherit the food industry’s hardest labeling problem
Multistate operators need to create a single plan to satisfy allergen notification rules across state lines, writes Steritech’s Chris Boyles.
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Bojangles will bring voice AI to 100 more drive-thrus
Hi Auto’s voice ordering tech processes 1 million orders a week across 500 Bojangles restaurants with 98% accuracy, the chain said.
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Meritage to sell 42 Wendy’s restaurants for $18.6M
The operator plans to divest units across Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Missouri to Divine Infinity Operations as part of its bankruptcy proceedings.
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Olo wants to kill delivery commissions
The restaurant software company’s CEO says its new app can bring delivery to consumers for less, while avoiding exorbitant commission rates for restaurants.
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Sweetgreen expands craft drink lineup
Restaurants offering the four new housemade drinks saw the share of beverage transactions jump nearly 25%.
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How Whataburger’s supply chain chief curbed inflation — and fought fires along the way
The burger chain’s CSCO has worked to diversify its partner network, as well as tackle the rising cost of beef and diesel fuel.
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Wendy’s bets $7.99 meal deal will boost traffic
The chain’s combo meal LTO could help restore its value proposition following six quarters of sliding sales.
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Domino’s links with Minecraft to push personal pizza via gaming
The collaboration with the popular video game includes creator content, in-game items, packaging and giveaways in support of the new Domino offering.
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Pollo Campero hires CKE vet as US CEO
Julio Sánchez, who has over 25 years of restaurant experience, will focus on the chain’s next phase of growth as it targets 250 units in the U.S.
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Restaurant chain to pay $3M to settle EEOC allegations of rampant sexual harassment
The agency learned of at least 100 women negatively affected by the work environment at California-based Il Fornaio’s multiple locations, an EEOC attorney said.
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Tropical Smoothie Cafe will open 40 stores in the Northeast
The chain is historically underrepresented in New York and Connecticut, but a new deal with Aurify Kingstar could remedy that.
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Q&A
Applebee’s CMO on differentiating marketing in a value-obsessed industry
Michelle Chin digs into how the casual dining chain’s marketing is evolving, including through a new partnership with agency BBDO Chicago.
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Salad and Go is coming back from the dead
Roughly 100 former Salad and Go locations were approved for sale during bankruptcy, but the buyer of its intellectual property plans to reopen some units.
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Opinion
Why small restaurants struggle with inventory counts
Creating a routine, using consistent counting metrics and clarifying how to measure partial containers can reduce inventory errors, writes Jim Lange, founder of Genius Food Purchasing.
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KFC ditches Pepsi for Coke in latest turnaround move
The fried chicken chain — once owned by Pepsi — will shift beverage providers as part of a broader overhaul of its menu and operations.
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Golden Corral faces uptick in closures
While the chain said its current attrition rate is higher than normal, many of the closed locations are likely to reopen under new ownership.
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Arby’s hires ex-Papa Johns CMO to balance brand-building, sales growth
Jenna Bromberg’s appointment is effective Nov. 2 and comes as parent company Inspire Brands considers an IPO.
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Noodles & Company adds ramen to core menu
The chain’s Chili Garlic Ramen LTO was one of its most successful launches ever, prompting it to build out a new menu platform.