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 24 major restaurant chains

    Q3 2025 saw more evidence of a casual dining resurgence, as fast casual sales continued to slow and QSRs posted divergent results.

    Updated Dec. 1, 2025
  • Chef working at a restaurant and looking at a recipe on a tablet computer – commercial kitchen concepts
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    Hispanolistic via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Oracle

    From data fog to clarity: How a unified POS clears the air for restaurant growth

    Discover how a unified POS turns scattered data into real-time insights that boost revenue, efficiency and smarter decisions.

  • An image of a red and white building with Freddy's signage.
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    Permission granted by Freddy's
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    JRI Hospitality buys 43 Freddy’s restaurants

    The chain’s largest franchisee will operate more than one-fifth of its system following the purchase of Kansas-based HCI Hospitality.

  • A close upimage of a Papa Johns sign with red lettering and a white background. There is green trim around the sign.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Why Papa Johns is going back to basics in latest marketing shakeup

    The pizza chain has reestablished local marketing co-ops and plans to launch a creative platform in collaboration with new AOR Leo Chicago.

  • Wooden seats and tables inside a Cava. In the background there is a make line with digital menu boards.
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Deep Dive

    Why are leading fast casuals primarily company owned?

    Franchising is the primary model for development in fast food, but different market dynamics prevail in fast casual.

  • An image of an interior restaurant with a order lane and seating area and orange, blue and white decor
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    Courtesy of Schlotzsky's Deli
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    Schlotzsky’s rebrands, launches new prototype

    The chain’s latest store design features self-order kiosks, a designated pickup area and a smaller footprint to slash operating costs by up to 25%.

  • A Papa John's sign.
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    Joe Raedle / Staff via Getty Images
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    Papa Johns plans CX upgrades following corporate cuts

    The pizza chain will enhance its app with an AI-powered food ordering agent in the coming quarter, CEO Todd Penegor said.

  • An image of two individuals with the one on the left wearing a blue suit. The person on the right is in black and white with a dark shirt on.
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    Courtesy of GoTo Foods
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    GoTo Foods appoints Roark exec as CFO

    Brett Ubl becomes chief financial officer at the restaurant company, while Francisco Bram joins as chief growth officer as the company prepares for additional global expansion.

  • Papa Johns Cool Ranch Papadia sandwiches in various packaging and contexts.
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns will drop Papadias, Papa Bites from menu

    While the two items drove incremental sales in past quarters, they can disrupt operational rhythm and create more complexities, CEO Todd Penegor said.

  • An image of a building with a sign that says "Sweetgreen."
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    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen may change its pricing after disaster quarter

    The salad chain suffered the worst quarter among major fast casual restaurants. It is now rethinking everything from core prices to its menu’s emphasis on bowls.

  • A marketing image for Burger King's reworked Whopper
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    Buns, bots and ad-buys: Burger King talks strategy at RBI investor day

    The years-long Reclaim the Flame program will continue with a renewed emphasis on core menu food quality and accelerated refranchising.

  • An image of Papa Johns sign on a store
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns will close 300 restaurants

    As part of its transformation, the chain will close units that are over 10 years old with AUVs under $600,000 and has already cut 7% of its corporate staff.

  • An image of a Jack in the Box restaurant.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    What’s at stake in Jack in the Box’s board battle with Biglari?

    If the activist investor prevents David Goebel’s re-election as chair, the board could still reappoint him, likely starting a long and expensive board battle.

  • IHOP pancakes
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    Courtesy of IHOP
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    IHOP promotes pancakes with low-tech aesthetics, experiential play

    In a tie-up with musician Mr. Fantasy, the chain is plastering high-traffic areas with old-school flyers reminiscent of the early internet. 

  • An image of various sandwiches, soups and salads from Panera.
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    Courtesy of Panera Bread
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    Panera debuts Mix & Match value menu

    Two years after introducing its Value Duets, the chain now offers 10 items for $4.99 as part of a strategy to improve its value proposition.

  • A sign marks the location of an Outback Steakhouse restaurant on November 02, 2021 in Skokie, Illinois.
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    Scott Olson / Staff via Getty Images
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    Outback posts first traffic growth in 5 years

    New steaks improved guest satisfaction, and fresh investments in facilities, labor and marketing could help build the brand’s transaction momentum.

  • An image of a McDonald's sign
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    JillianCain via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s launches supersized Big Arch Burger in US

    The limited-time offer is part of the chain’s strategy to help drive sales and traffic by boosting food quality.

  • Peter the Pita Chip plushie on a Cava bag
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava hits $1B in sales, but traffic growth slows

    The chain will work to boost visits with menu innovation and other initiatives, CFO Tricia Tolivar said, as the fast casual category fights off headwinds.

  • A photograph of a First Watch restaurant
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    Permission granted by First Watch
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    First Watch CFO to retire

    Mel Hope led the breakfast chain’s fiscal operations through a pandemic, an IPO and high inflation. His successor faces a strained consumer environment.

  • A photogrpah of a beige brick building with a yellow sign with red words that says sonic.
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    M. Suhail via Getty Images
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    Sonic sells 78 restaurants to KBP

    The franchisee nearly doubles its Sonic unit count with its second acquisition of restaurants from the QSR chain.

  • A close up image of a red sign that says Fatburger
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    Wirestock via Getty Images
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    ‘This is not personal. It’s business’: Why an expert says the clock is ticking for Fat Brands’ CEO

    Andrew Wiederhorn’s days as CEO could be numbered if creditors successfully argue conflict of interests exist, bankruptcy expert Jerrold Bregman said.

  • The exterior of a Del Taco with several empty parking lots out front
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    Permission granted by Del Taco
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    Del Taco operator closes all Georgia locations

    Matadoor Restaurant Group closed 14 restaurants in the state months after filing for Chapter 11, but Del Taco says it is looking for options to reopen them.

  • A Domino's Pizza employee assists a customer over the phone.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Domino’s loyalty program fuels carryout growth

    “We stated before that our objectives with the loyalty program was definitely to cater much more to the carryout customer and also to attract light users,” CEO Russell Weiner said.

  • Couche-Tard
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    Retrieved from Couche-Tard.
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    Inside the 18-month reset reviving Couche-Tard’s US food business

    After a hot start in 2020, Circle K’s Fresh Food, Fast program slowed. Executives are now fine-tuning the offering through operational improvements and menu updates to spark new growth.

  • A hand lifts a slice of stuffed crust pizza topped with pepperoni and peppers. The slice trails strings of melted mozzarella.
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    Courtesy of Domino's
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    Domino’s wants to double its market share

    CEO Russel Weiner thinks the chain can capture half of the QSR pizza market at the expense of Pizza Hut and Papa Johns.

  • An image of a refreshed Subway.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway to remove free footlong offer from Sub Club

    On April 1, the company will allow members to earn a $2 reward for every 400 points accumulated.