The Latest
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Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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 -
Courtesy of Swig
Savory Fund raises over $200M to back emerging restaurant chains
The private equity firm aided the early growth of Swig and Mo’ Bettahs, and its latest fund will support expanding concepts with strong brand identity.
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Permission granted by Chipotle
How 4 restaurant brands hit big development milestones this fall
Cava and Dave’s Hot Chicken surpassed 500 units, while Chipotle reached 1,500 Chipotlanes.
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Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Domino’s focus shifts toward driving ticket growth
CEO Joe Jordan said the chain will improve franchisee profitability by driving order counts and ticket totals through promotions and menu innovation.
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Permission granted by Hawaiian Bros
Hawaiian Bros signs 52-store Florida deal
The brand’s newest franchisee will open 24 locations in the first three years of its agreement, which spans Orlando, Jacksonsville, Gainesville and Tampa.
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Courtesy of Starbucks
AnalysisWas a Starbucks buyout of Chipotle even possible?
The coffee giant denied it was buying the burrito chain, but analysts offered an interesting view of what a mega-merger would have meant to the restaurant industry.
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Scott Olson via Getty Images
Sweetgreen hires Starbucks vet as chief people officer
Lauren Crowley joins the brand amid an ongoing turnaround strategy that includes new training programs for restaurant-level employees.
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Outback beefs up steak quality
The steakhouse chain also hired a chief steak officer to serve as its authority on selection, marbling and prep.
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Permission granted by Fatburger
Fatburger launches first rewards program
Members earn points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases and receive $5 discounts for every 75 points accrued, a strategy that could help boost sales and frequency.
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Courtesy of Papa Murphy's
Papa Murphy’s to open co-branded Pinkberry restaurants
The take-and-bake pizza chain will open three such restaurants, which are expected to provide franchisees with additional revenue streams and dayparts.
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Justin Sullivan / Staff via Getty Images
When the drive-thru feels fast and friendly, satisfaction grows
Dutch Bros Coffee, Chick-fil-A and Starbucks ranked as not just the friendliest brands, but the ones with the highest overall satisfaction, a QSR and InTouch CX study found.
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Permission granted by McDonald's
McDonald’s navigates pushback over Next initiatives
Franchisees were reportedly surprised by remodel costs, per Bloomberg, and McDonald’s has been sued for using a pricing tool that allegedly determined what customers would be willing to pay.
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gsheldon via Getty Images
CKE appoints IHOP alum as Hardee’s president
Alisa Gmelich brings over 30 years of brand experience to her new role, where she will oversee growth, guest experience improvements and menu optimization.
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Ethan Miller via Getty Images
Souplantation parent will open first CA restaurant since 2020
The chain, which closed all of its locations during Chapter 7 liquidation six years ago, will open a Sweet Tomatoes in Fountain Valley by 2027.
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Courtesy of KFC
KFC expands into snacking with Go Buckets
The low-cost menu item includes six varieties and is aimed at helping the chain expand its afternoon daypart.
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Why restaurants face pushback, risk when integrating AI tools
Employee and consumer concerns over inaccuracy and inefficiency have proven true at some chains, so operators must slow-roll AI tools to ensure they solve more problems than they create, experts said.
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Courtesy of Kura Sushi
Kura Sushi adds tiers to loyalty program
The sushi chain joins a growing list of brands, including Charleys, Panera and Tropical Smoothie Cafe, to adopt the model alongside flexible rewards.
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Ceri Breeze via Getty Images
Uber Eats to buy ezCater for $2.3B
The catering platform will expand Uber Eats' large order business, which has become a significant opportunity in recent quarters.
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Courtesy of True Food Kitchen
True Food Kitchen files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The chain plans to sell itself to a long-term partner that shares a similar brand mindset that can set it up for long-term success.
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Kelly Stroh/Restaurant Dive
How restaurants can mitigate rising fuel costs
Evaluating delivery frequency and leveraging route optimization and scenario planning can help brands combat higher transportation expenses, experts say.
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Julie Littman/Restaurant Dive
McDonald’s disputes reports that it uses AI to set prices
The chain provides franchisees with tools, resources and recommendations for pricing, but operators ultimately make menu price decisions.
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Allison Joyce via Getty Images
Why restaurants’ worst disaster losses come after the damage is done
Operators need a plan for what happens after an extreme weather event or man-made accident, but most don’t have one, experts say.
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Courtesy of Papa Johns
Papa Johns’ CMO on how the brand is reasserting itself as delivery evolves
Newly appointed Global CMO Chris Lyn-Sue digs into the chain’s Walmart Express Delivery partnership and his plans for the rest of the year.
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Retrieved from Charleys on October 02, 2026
Charleys Cheesesteaks & Wings updates menu, rewards program
The 850-unit chain added seven items and launched a campaign to persuade consumers to choose hot sandwiches over cold grab-and-go.
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Courtesy of Chicken Salad Chick
Chicken Salad Chick targets Northeast for growth
The fast casual chain has signed deals in New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia where consumer demand remains strong.
