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
  • A Bojangles restaurant with a drive-thru.
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    Courtesy of Bojangles
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    Bojangles bets breakfast, boneless chicken will spur national growth

    The regional poultry powerhouse is looking to build up its presence in recent market entries and establish a durable customer base.

  • An image of a restaurant with brick foundation and red, white and green trip on the top. The top says Papa Gino's in white print.
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    The image by Connor J Williams is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Craveworthy Brands to buy Papa Gino’s

    The purchase of the pizza chain’s parent, New England Authentic Eats, will add over 160 restaurants and $160 million in annual revenue to Craveworthy.

    M&A
  • A photograph ofa beige building with white signage that says McAlister's Deli.
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    Brett_Hondow via Getty Images
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    GoTo Foods hires TGI Fridays vet as Deli Brands president

    Brandon Coleman will oversee the next phase of growth at McAlister’s Deli and Schlotzsky’s Deli.

  • An image of a Chili's sign with a red chili pepper.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    How Chili’s supply chain improvements are helping menu consistency

    CSCO James Butler has reordered Chili’s supply chain priorities to focus on diner experience, resulting in sales growth for the chain and its suppliers.

  • An image of TGI Fridays signage with red and white stripes
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    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
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    TGI Fridays to re-enter Las Vegas market

    LVP Food Services Concepts will open five restaurants over the next three years in both traditional and nontraditional locations.

  • Two flags flown by fast food workers demonstrating in support of AB 257.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    What the Democratic midterm landslide means for franchising

    From joint employer problems to tariff opportunities, the Blue Wave could reshape restaurant politics. 

  • mcdonalds signage against a blue sky
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    Kevin Frayer via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s connects loyalty program with Uber

    The fast food chain’s integrations with Uber build on the restaurant’s plans to expand its loyalty program to build more frequency with members.

  • An image of hot dogs on a table.
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    Permission granted by DogHaus
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    Inside Dog Haus’ plan to reach 1,500 units

    The chain is bulking up its development team and building out a regional director model as it eyes aggressive growth.

  • An evening shot of a building with white and red coloring and signage that says "Portillo's."
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s to close some restaurants

    After several difficult quarters, the hot dog brand is changing everything from its geographic strategy to the size of its restaurants.

  • 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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    McDonald’s is changing how it collects customer feedback

    Customers will be able to leave reviews inside the McDonald’s app, marking “significant enhancements” to feedback collection efforts, CEO Chris Kempczinski said.

  • A photograph of a red building with gray trim and a white sign that says Wendy's
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    How Wendy’s CEO plans to revive beleaguered burger chain

    Robert Wright said the brand will make breakfast optional for franchisees and focus on improved ingredients, portfolio optimization and enhanced marketing. 

  • A Buggalo's and Fatbuger restaurant signs
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    Laser1987 via Getty Images
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    OHG Brands appoints Dunkin’ vet as COO

    The company, formerly known as Fat Brands, appointed several other C-suite executives as it prepares for its long-term, post-bankruptcy future.

  • A photograph of a yellow sign with Denny's in red.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Denny’s operator files for Chapter 11

    The diner chain is working with EYM’s creditors to find willing operators in its system to take over viable stores. 

  • A Papa Johns' employee cuts pizza after preparing it.
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns mobilizes for a quality war

    CEO Todd Penegor says the chain has a new business strategy that addresses the weakness of the overall QSR pizza segment. 

  • mcdonalds signage against a blue sky
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    Kevin Frayer via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s US CMO steps down as sales decline

    As the fast food giant searches for a new marketing leader, it will split the role between two longtime executives on an interim basis.

  • A close up photograph of a white sign with lettering that says Cava.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Cava Q3 comps growth moderates

    Like Starbucks, Cava’s big traffic gains in H1 moderated, and mix and pricing accounted for a majority of its Q3 same-store sales growth.

  • A photograph of a McDonald's drive-thru with a gray car at the menu board
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    Ceri Breeze via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s aims for nationwide drive-thru AI in 2027

    The fast food giant says the automated ordering system could save 50 weekly labor hours, but some franchisees are unsure if the technology is something customers want or if it can improve hospitality.

  • A photograph of a digital menu board at a McDonald's drive-thru that showcases Extra Value Menus during breakfast.
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    bgwalker via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s pilots mix-and-match bundles

    Following mishaps with its $3 and Under menu, the fast food chain laid out a plan to restore frequency and increase sales through entry-level value options.

  • A photograph of a co-branded Wetzel's Pretzels and Cold Stone Creamery inside a mall.
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    Permission granted by Wetzel's Pretzels/Cold Stone Creamery
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    MTY Food Group rebuffs Foodtastic’s $720M bid

    Following a strategic review of its business, Cold Stone’s parent declined a takeover offer from Foodtastic, prompting the latter to to accuse the company of “unrealistic expectations.”

  • Coffee drips into a white ceramic mug emblazoned with the Starbucks logo
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks puts greater personalization on the menu for 2027

    Service times are on target, stores feel warmer and executives want to elevate the app and drive-thru experiences with personalization and AI.

  • A car drives to a drive-thru window at a Kentucky Fried Chicken storefront.
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    Courtesy of Yum! Brands
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    Taco Bell’s winning streak ends, KFC’s turnaround continues

    Yum Brands hopes continued marketing magic at Taco Bell, menu investments at KFC and overall tech improvements will result in strong sales growth.

  • An Outback Steakhouse restaurant on a cold day.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Outback’s largest U.S. franchisee goes bankrupt

    Out West’s bankruptcy could result in Bloomin’ Brands taking direct control of a majority of Outback Steakhouse’s U.S. franchise system.

  • Packaged bakery goods on a white background.
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    Courtesy of 7 Brew
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    7 Brew debuts first food menu

    The coffee chain’s food launch could help it compete with Starbucks and Dutch Bros, which have more developed breakfast and snack offerings.

  • A DoorDash delivery worker walks his bike along the road in the Mission neighborhood of San Francisco, California.
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    Getty Images
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    DoorDash adds $12 value meal boxes

    The meal option could help the delivery giant weather consumer price sensitivity, while driving new orders at partner restaurants.