The Latest

  • An image of a person holding a brown bag leaving a Chipotle store front.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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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
  • Camera on a tripod stands in a stone-arched corridor, aimed at a bright stained-glass window; plaques line the walls in a quiet setting.
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    Permission granted by Sevan Mulit-Site Solutions
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    Sponsored by Sevan Multi-Site Solutions

    The hidden liability of an outdated building: Why restaurants and retailers are digitizing their real estate portfolios

    Outdated building records are costing retailers millions. Reality capture ends the guesswork.

  • A woman in a car holds a chicken sandwich.
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    Courtesy of Popeyes
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    Is Popeyes’ new sandwich a breakfast test?

    The chain says the Honey Chicken Biscuit is designed for all dayparts. It seems built for a time outside the chain’s usual occasions.

  • A meal consisting of a cup of soda, chips, salsa and tacos sits on a napkin on a wooden table against a green background. Text on the cup says Big Gulp Large.
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    7-Eleven rolls out value menus across its restaurant brands

    The retailer has added meal deals and low-cost options across its Laredo Taco, Raise the Roost and Speedy Cafe restaurants.

  • A close up of a black sign with yellow words that say Yard House and great food classic rock and world's largest selection of draft beer.
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    OntheRunPhoto via Getty Images
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    Yard House becomes Darden’s third billion-dollar brand

    The full-service concept, which posted 10% growth in same-store sales during fiscal Q1 2027, plans to open 13 new stores during the ongoing fiscal year.

  • A photograph of a red and yellow sign with a giant yellow "M" above a red box that says "McDonald's Billions Served."
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s turns to AI for drive-thru, inventory management, order accuracy

    McDonald’s will roll out ArchIQ, an artificial intelligence platform to power restaurant operations, as part of its Next strategy.

  • An image of the exterior of KFC's experimental Open House unit
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    KFC tests breakfast and table service at new restaurant

    The chain wants to offer fast casual service for QSR prices at an experimental unit designed for maximum sales volume, rather than for efficiency.

  • A dawn image of a McDonald's drive-thru. At the foreground is an exit sign and there is a car in the background waiting in line.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    How McDonald’s plans to reactivate 150M infrequent loyalty guests

    The Golden Arches will add rewards tiers, tie-ups with other major brands and increased personalization to its loyalty system.

  • A person dips a chip in Chili's queso
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    Courtesy of Chili's Grill & Bar
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    How Chili’s marketing works — and why Mexican QSRs are its next target

    CMO George Felix dug into the casual dining chain’s past successes and pathway for future growth at Brinker International’s recent investor day.

  • A close up photograph of a crispy chicken sandwich on a table within a McDonald's restaurant
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    Permission granted by McDonald's
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    McDonald’s is designing bigger burgers, chicken bowls and new beverages

    The fast food giant plans to increase its market share with chicken and beverages as it expands those platforms while doubling down on beef.

    Updated Sept. 24, 2026
  • A close up photograph of a partial Starbucks siren logo as seen from the top of an office building.
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    David Ryder via Getty Images
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    Starbucks shutters 250 underperforming stores

    The brand said the closures would impact locations that can’t deliver the coffeehouse experience or financial performance it expects.

  • Customers pass in the Drive Thru lane during breakfast hours at a McDonald’s restaurant on October 23, 2024 in Omaha, Nebraska.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Inside McDonald’s new marketing model as it enters media network fray

    At its first investor day since 2023, the fast food giant announced it is piloting a media network with the goal of building a $1 billion ad business.

  • A photograph of two boxes on a table with various breakfast food items in aluminum pans.
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    Permission granted by Denny's
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    How Denny’s is loading the bases for Project Grand Slam turnaround

    After closing units and going private, Denny’s is prepping for a new era with more catering, an overhauled menu, fresh tech and renovations.

  • A photograph of an empty McDonald's restaurant within a warehouse
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    Permission granted by McDonald's
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    McDonald’s to invest $8.5B as part of Next strategy

    The funding will be used to support restaurant modernization, tech deployments and operational improvements through 2036.

  • The Wendy's logo displayed near a Wendy's restaurant on June 18, 2024 in Austin, Texas.
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    Brandon Bell / Staff via Getty Images
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    Wendy’s claims bankrupt franchisee has no right to continue running 314 units

    The franchisor said Meritage Hospitality Group doesn’t have the right to seek operations support after Wendy’s terminated its franchise agreements.

  • gomart, wienerschnitzel
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    Permission granted by Galardi Group
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    GoMart to bring first Wienerschnitzel QSRs to West Virginia

    The new partnership is expected to expand beyond the initial two locations over the next five years, with potential sites including conversions and new builds.

  • A photograph of a red building with patio umbrellas and a sign that says Wendy's
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    RiverNorthPhotography via Getty Images
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    Inside an award-winning Wendy’s operator’s bankruptcy crisis

    Meritage Hospitality Group, which once had more than 350 restaurants, faced declining revenue and sales amid ongoing challenges with Wendy’s system.

  • A basket of fried chicken and some other food.
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    Courtesy of Yardbird
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    Yardbird files for bankruptcy

    The fried chicken and bar concept shuttered several locations in 2025 and 2026 as sales results diverged across its system.

    Updated Sept. 22, 2026
  • Will Arnett sits alongside a driver in a drive-thru lane while holding up a Subway sandwich
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    Permission granted by Subway
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    Subway skewers modern dining landscape with Will Arnett-led creative

    The actor serves as the subconscious of consumers sick of everything from unhealthy fast food to chalky protein bars in a new brand platform.

  • A spread of pasta entrees from Maggiano's Little Italy.
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    Courtesy of Maggiano's Little Italy
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    Maggiano’s turnaround yields ‘green shoots’

    The Italian brand only accounts for 3% of Brinker’s profits, but a focus on portion size and speed of service could grow sales, CEO Kevin Hochman said. 

  • An image of a speaker box on a blue background. The words "Toast" and "Presto" hover over the box.
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    Permission granted by Presto Phoenix
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    Presto integrates with Toast to scale drive-thru voice AI

    The AI company is joining the POS firm’s partner ecosystem, making it easier for many restaurants to deploy the voice tool.

  • The outside of a Starbucks store
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Starbucks, Florida AG ink deal to end lawsuit over alleged illegal DEI practices

    Attorney General James Uthmeier alleged that the chain excluded or disfavored nonminorities in a lawsuit that mirrored recent federal enforcement activity.

  • An image of a restaurant that has a white sign with "Chili's" on the front and side.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Why Chili’s is ready to open new stores

    While the casual giant saw its same-store sales explode, its unit count stayed stagnant. Now, Brinker International is investing in growing its storebase again.

  • An image ofa brick colored building with a logl of a red-headed girl with pigtails.
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    Courtesy of Wendy's
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    Major Wendy’s franchisee declares bankruptcy

    Meritage Hospitality Group, which operates 314 Wendy’s units, has closed at least 60 units and opted out or altered the breakfast daypart to improve store-level EBITDA.

  • A photograph of a selection of food items, including pepperoni pizza, chicken wings and burgers next to a green checkered back with wording that says Wonder The Cravings Expert.
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    Courtesy of Wonder
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    Wonder lays off 533 as part of production consolidation

    The food hall company is closing two New Jersey facilities and moving to a high-capacity location that will better support long-term growth.

  • A table with a salad, cheeseburger quesadilla and a plate of rice
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    Permission granted by Applebee's
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    How a popular burger drove Applebee’s to double down on cheese

    The O-M-Cheese Burger hit on consumer preferences for cheese, affordability and a fun experience, leading to an expanded lineup.