The Latest

  • An image of a man leaving a Chipotle. He is holding a brown bag.
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    Getty Images
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    Tracking the same-store sales of 23 major restaurant chains

    Q1 2026 saw more evidence of a casual dining resurgence, as fast casual sales continued to slow and QSRs posted mixed results.

    Updated May 26, 2026
  • Person enjoying a hamburger in a cozy café.
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    Permission granted by Rokt
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    Sponsored by Rokt

    The next competitive advantage for QSRs may be the company they keep

    Brand partnerships are evolving from awareness campaigns into measurable growth engines.

  • People walk past a Chipotle storefront.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Chipotle’s efforts to engage customers with rewards in-restaurant pay off

    “While food quality and generous portions bring guests through our doors, it's the experience we deliver that keeps them coming back,” CEO Scott Boatwright said.

  • A photograph of a brown sign with white lettering that says Starbucks Center.
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    David Ryder via Getty Images
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    Starbucks’ experience refinements are ‘turning engagement into rituals,’ CEO says

    According to CEO Brian Niccol, better customer service and a revamped loyalty program are building trust with customers and making the brand more visible.

  • A smiling worker hands someone a ceramic mug of coffee.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks remodels, service tweaks are paying off

    The coffee giant gained same-store sales momentum in the U.S. market with its third consecutive quarter of comps growth.

  • A photograph of a gray building with white signage that says "Since 1956 Jersey Mike's Sub's." There are three cars parked in front of the building.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jersey Mike’s debuts on NYSE with $1B IPO

    The sub sandwich chain will begin selling Class A common stock at $23 per share in the largest restaurant initial public offering since 2021.

  • A sign on a Chipotle restaurant.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Chipotle posts best quarterly same-store sales growth since 2024

    The chain’s Recipe for Growth initiative, which launched in February, has already shifted momentum, with same-store sales up 2.2%.

  • A photo of the outside of a Wingstop.
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    Courtesy of Wingstop
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    Wingstop same-store sales drop for 5th straight quarter

    CEO Michael Skipworth said the fast casual chain has many price-sensitive guests and will focus more on value and group occasions to boost sales.

  • Two people stand in a bar looking at a tablet. One person is wearing a beige apron while the other is wearing a green dress.
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    Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Quality without compromise: What restaurant operators really need in 2026

    Consistent commitment to the best ROI can help eateries level up their business despite challenging consumer trends, writes Stacey Kinkaid, VP of product development and innovation at US Foods.

  • An image of a beige building wiht both Fatburger and Round Table Pizza signage
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    Judge approves Fat Brands liquidation

    After a complicated bankruptcy process that included a CEO ouster effort, Fat’s liquidation can proceed with court approval.

  • An orange and white fast food restaurant
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    Courtesy of Whataburger
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    Whataburger hires Taco Bell vet as CFO

    Ryan Moore also brings experience from Torchy’s Tacos to the burger chain, which is growing extensively beyond its home base of Texas.

  • Inside a beverage facility that sells boba teas.
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    Permission granted by Gong cha
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    Gong cha inks 50-store franchise deal in Texas

    The agreement will significantly expand the bubble tea chain’s U.S. footprint, and comes after it bought 170 stores from its master franchisee in March.

  • A quick service restaurant.
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    Courtesy of Church's Texas Chicken
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    Church’s Texas Chicken CEO says new funding will boost remodels, expansion

    An equity investment from Golub Capital will help the chicken chain convert its brand turnaround into renewed U.S. store growth.

  • A view of a Taco Bell restaurant on February 06, 2025 in Dublin, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Taco Bell tied to Cyclospora outbreaks in 4 more states

    While the chain removed potentially contaminated lettuce by July 17, the long incubation period of the parasite — upwards of two weeks — means new cases may continue into early August.

  • The entrance of a Moe's Casa Mexicana restaurant.
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    Courtesy of GoToFoods
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    How Moe’s Southwest Grill is using music to shape its experience abroad

    No matter where Moe’s opens a location, “music is one of the most important things not only to the brand, but to how we bring the brand to life in our stores,” GoToFoods’ Brittany Metcalfe said.

  • A close up imae of a white sign with Cracker Barrel logo and Uncle Herschal mascot.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Cracker Barrel taps former Bloomin’ chief as CEO

    David Deno will succeed Julie Masino, who is leaving less than a year after surviving an ouster attempt triggered by rebranding backlash.

    Updated July 27, 2026
  • A gray and beige fast food building with red and white brand markings for the chain Jollibee
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    Courtesy of Jollibee
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    How 4 QSR chains sped up franchised growth in H1

    From chicken chains to frozen custard joints, growing restaurant concepts are working to accelerate their store development in 2026.

  • The interior of SingleThread Restaurant & Inn in Healdsburg, California.
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    Retrieved from SingleThread Restaurant & Inn on July 16, 2026
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    Travelers are booking lodging based on hotel restaurants

    This summer, 60% of travelers have booked a hotel specifically because of its restaurant, while hotel restaurant dining is up year over year, per OpenTable.

  • A smiling white man in a dark suit with no tie in front of a bar.
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    Courtesy of Fogo de Chão
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    Fogo de Chão appoints successor to long-tenured CFO

    Daniel Duran succeeded Tony Laday, who retired after helping the chain through an IPO, a global pandemic and multiple acquisitions over 12 years.

  • Taco Bell is testing a new design for its Go Mobile stores, pictured here.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell flooded with lawsuits over diarrhea outbreak

    The fast food giant, supplier Taylor Farms and at least one franchisee face legal action from consumers in multiple states over alleged deceptive marketing and illness tied to lettuce.

  • A photograph of a person sitting at a brown table holding a coffee cup.
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    Permission granted by Ziggi's Coffee
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    Ziggi’s Coffee taps Noodles vet as growth chief

    Stacey Pool will oversee the chain’s next phase of growth, including a pipeline of at least 200 units, which would nearly triple the chain’s current store count.

  • A close up shot of various packages from KFC
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    Permission granted by KFC
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    KFC Global appoints COO

    Maria Cacciapuoti has worked at the chain since 2015 and will partner with franchisees to modernize the guest and team experience.

  • A person in a suit stands on stage surrounded by a large crowd in the stands.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    What 10 leading restaurant companies pay their CEOs — and their hourly workers

    Median hourly compensation hovers near, and sometimes below, the poverty line, while leading restaurant CEOs earn tens of millions.

  • A photograph of a Wienerschnitzel building
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    Courtesy of Wienerschnitzel
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    Wienerschnitzel opens first military base location

    The restaurant at Naval Base San Diego is a major step forward for the chain’s push to tap into pre-existing consumer pools with nontraditional units.

  • A zoomed in image of Dutch Bros building signage
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    Courtesy of Dutch Bros
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    Gas price moderation won’t end restaurant consumer woes

    Falling gas prices may not mean a return to consumer health, as wages fall and savings deplete, worsening the gap between restaurant winners and losers.

  • Pedestrians walk by a KFC and a Taco Bell restaurant on July 2, 2014 in San Rafael, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Yum appoints chief people officer

    Nai De Leon, who joined the company from Bain Capital in 2025, will succeed Tracy Skeans in November.