How c-stores can pull loyalty from QSRs

Strong value, including meal deals and quality food, could help c-stores make inroads against fast food, says restaurant technology company Tillster.

By Jessica Loder • April 25, 2025

Jersey Mike’s hires Charlie Morrison as CEO

Morrison, former CEO of Wingstop and Salad and Go, takes over for Peter Cancro, who has led the chain for 50 years. 

By Julie Littman , Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated April 24, 2025

Chipotle’s same-store sales wobble on economic uncertainty

The fast casual giant — a sales overperformer in 2024 — said its comparable transactions fell in what could be an early warning of anemic diner spending.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 24, 2025

Nando’s Peri-Peri hires Ruby Tuesday vet as CEO

Kimberly Grant, who is also former CEO of Jose Andres Group, will oversee the chain’s growth as it opens more company-owned locations in the U.S.

By Julie Littman • April 22, 2025

How KFC’s customer listening program helps it nail the first experience

The program is designed to collect data from a range of sources, disseminate findings across the company and coordinate teams to solve customer pain points, KFC COO Rob Swain said.

By Bryan Wassel • April 22, 2025

Chipotle is going to Mexico

Alsea, a restaurant operator with 4,700 restaurants in Latin America and Europe, will build the chain’s first Mexico location by early 2026.

By Julie Littman • April 21, 2025

7 Brew opens first walk-thru location in Walmart

The coffee chain’s partnership with the mega retailer will help diversify 7 Brew’s development model as it works toward becoming a nationwide brand.

By Julie Littman • April 18, 2025

Circana: Restaurant traffic stalled in 2024, but diner spending rose 2%

Starbucks, McDonald’s and Burger King all had flat spending, but Circana’s David Portalatin said “flat is the new up” given current macroeconomic trends.

By Julie Littman • April 18, 2025

Krystal to open first Texas travel center location

The QSR is focusing on non-traditional locations like travel centers, c-stores and airports as part of a strategy to add high-traffic restaurants to its portfolio.

By Julie Littman • Updated April 17, 2025

NRA: Consumers want more takeout, but lack the cash

Millennials and Gen Z consumers largely view takeout as a vital part of their lifestyles, per a National Restaurant Association report.

By Julie Littman • April 16, 2025

57-unit Burger King operator goes bankrupt

Despite high performance metrics, Consolidated Burger Holdings has faced traffic declines and revenue losses since the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Julie Littman • April 16, 2025

Donatos Pizza drops DoorDash’s AI ordering system for Revmo AI

The chain is using automation to take rote tasks off employees’ plates so they can better focus on the guest experience.

By Julie Littman • April 14, 2025

Will restaurants be hit hard by tariffs? 6 experts weigh in

America’s baseline tariffs and the potential for renewed, country-specific taxes could pose significant problems for the restaurant industry. But analysts and trade groups are split on just how much risk looms.

By Restaurant Dive Staff • April 14, 2025

Dave & Buster’s overhauls its remodel strategy as sales continue to fall

The restaurant chain still wants to offer unique experiences — but leaders are aiming for higher returns on investment.

By Bryan Wassel • April 14, 2025

Noble Gas bringing Capriotti’s sandwiches to East Coast c-stores

The retailer will open the sub shop inside its newest gas station in Enfield, Connecticut, later this month, with several more sites to come.

By Brett Dworski • April 14, 2025

Tillster: 61% of users want more restaurant kiosks

Diners are becoming more comfortable with kiosks since they can review their orders for accuracy, per a report.

By Julie Littman • April 14, 2025

Ascent Hospitality promotes Blain Shortreed to COO

Shortreed, who joined the company in 2023 as Huddle House president, will focus on strategic growth, operations and franchise relations in his new role.  

By Julie Littman • April 10, 2025

9 of the biggest restaurant CEO hires of Q1

The first three months of the year brought new leaders to Jack in the Box, CKE Restaurants, Church’s Texas Chicken, Panera Brands and more. 

By Julie Littman • April 9, 2025

How Applebee’s designed its customer insights program

The restaurant chain incorporated feedback from a range of stakeholders to ensure its customer insights are actionable and readily available.

By Bryan Wassel • April 8, 2025

Why First Watch takes 18 months to develop seasonal menus

The breakfast chain goes on “flavor tours” to inspire its LTOs, which it rotates every 10 weeks in order to keep up with evolving diner demands.

By Julie Littman • April 7, 2025

Cultivating a greener future – The ongoing journey of sustainability in restaurants

Sustainability is more than a buzzword. It is a core value that is becoming indispensable to guests.

April 7, 2025

Solo dining is on the rise, report finds

Younger diners like to eat alone, with 49% of millennials and 46% of Gen Z consumers preferring to do so, according to a TouchBistro report.

By Julie Littman • April 3, 2025

Trump installs 10% baseline tariff, country-specific duties

The president said he will levy import taxes on a wide range of countries, based on White House calculations. The National Restaurant Association said tariffs will only exacerbate pricing problems for the industry.

By Philip Neuffer • April 3, 2025

Why urban areas are a challenge for casual chains

High rents, difficult buildouts and space limitations are among many reasons why casual full-service chains often avoid spaces in cities. But opportunities are out there, experts say.

By Danielle McLean • April 3, 2025

Church’s Texas Chicken to open 900 more international units

Through its international brand Texas Chicken, the chain will enter Germany, Hungary and Georgia for the first time, expanding its presence in Europe.

By Julie Littman • April 3, 2025