Portillo’s hires Olive Garden finance exec as CFO
Portillo's appointed Kevin Kalicak, a 30-year Darden veteran, as CFO, replacing Michelle Hook.

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Portillo's appointed Kevin Kalicak, a 30-year Darden veteran, as CFO, replacing Michelle Hook.

Outback Steakhouse co-founder Tim Gannon expressed confidence in the chain's turnaround at its first manager conference in seven years, signaling renewed internal momentum.

Dave & Buster's promoted CFO Darin Harper to CEO, replacing Tarun Lal who retired Aug. 3.

Pizza Marketplace's final installment on the pizza industry suggests that future winners will balance automation with employee empowerment and customer relationships rather than pursuing technology fo

Vandelay Companies is opening a Hudson House location in Southlake, Texas on September 11, expanding its East Coast–inspired restaurant concept across the state.

Ninety Nine Restaurants has capitalized on the Red Sox's strong summer performance through a promotion offering free kids meals the day after wins, driving traffic to the casual-dining chain.

Chick-fil-A is donating $1 million and expanding hunger-relief initiatives during September's Hunger Action Month, as food insecurity continues to affect millions of Americans.

Franchise development hire signals scaling ambitions — Houston TX Hot Chicken's talent recruitment from established chains (Jimmy John's, GoTo Foods) indicates real growth infrastructure building.

Firehouse Subs reached 1,500 locations with a new restaurant opening in Abilene, Texas, marking a milestone in the brand's U.S. expansion.

Domino's is promoting its new individual pizza format with free giveaways, positioning it as a potential flagship item comparable to competitors' marquee offerings.

Twin Peaks has signed an area development agreement with an InnJoy Hospitality affiliate to expand its sports lodge concept into South Texas counties including Brownsville, South Padre Island, and Lar

The Flying Biscuit Café, an Atlanta-based all-day breakfast and brunch brand, has signed a franchise agreement with Mario and Ifeoma Harper to open its first location in Katy, Texas.

Mr Gatti's is targeting Lubbock, Texas for expansion.

Pizza Hut's global CEO Aaron Powell announced his departure as the brand's sale to LongRange Capital nears completion in late August, signaling potential leadership transition and strategy shifts unde
India has closed multiple Domino's and Pizza Hut locations due to hygiene violations.

Women's Foodservice Forum partnered with Culture Partners to offer an accountability framework to its membership starting in October, signaling growing industry focus on structured diversity and workp

Domino's has introduced an individual-sized pizza carrying its namesake brand.

Domino's is launching a new Detroit-style personal pizza called 'the Domino' nationwide on August 31, marking the chain's first product to bear its own name.

Health-focused fast casual brands Konala and Clean Eatz are emphasizing drive-thru and grab-and-go formats to compete on convenience with traditional fast food.

Jeff's Bagel Run is partnering with Hungry Howie's franchisees to expand into South Carolina.

Mr Gatti's Pizza has been acquired by franchisee G. Brint Ryan, with retiring CEO Jim Phillips exiting the company.

Google has integrated an AI tool into Maps that lets Square sellers accept orders and gain visibility through the platform.

A Flying Biscuit Cafe franchisee is opening a fourth location in Raleigh, signaling continued confidence in the brand's expansion potential within the market.

McDonald's and Taco Bell are adding energy drinks and refreshers to their beverage lineups as beverage-specialist chains gain market share.

Wendy's is taking action to address brand challenges as sales continue to decline, signaling the company is responding to performance pressures.

Quick-service restaurants are shifting competitive focus from value and marketing toward operational excellence, with major brands investing in execution, technology, food quality, hospitality, and wo

First Watch reports significant growth in brand awareness metrics despite approaching 700 locations, suggesting the daytime chain still has substantial room to expand its customer recognition.

Tacos Atarantados launched Cerveza Atarantados, a house-brand Mexican-style light lager produced with Miami's Magic 13 Brewing Co., signaling a shift toward on-premise beverage differentiation in the

Huey Magoo's is running a September fundraising campaign with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to support Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, allowing guests to contribute at point of sale.

Gen Alpha consumers are drawing increased marketing attention from restaurant operators, though the article raises questions about which household members actually influence dining decisions.

Chick-fil-A is launching chicken and waffles sandwiches in two portion sizes nationwide on August 24.

Pokeworks reported strong sales and transaction growth in the first half of 2026, attributed to new store openings, development agreements, and menu updates.

Starbucks is pursuing 24-hour inventory replenishment following its discontinuation of an AI-powered inventory management system after nine months of use.

Blaze Pizza has introduced a menu inspired by the film 'Practical Magic 2.'

Marco's Pizza has signed a development agreement for mid-Missouri.

Fast-casual pizza chain Your Pie is expanding in the Southeast under new leadership by combining handcrafted Italian traditions with streamlined operations and a smaller restaurant footprint, signalin

Egg Tuck, acquired by WaBa Grill's parent company in 2023, is expanding into San Diego as a franchised concept.

Independent restaurants are outpacing chains in sales growth, signaling a potential shift in consumer preference toward non-chain establishments.

A Restaurant Catering Workshop is offering guidance on managing delivery logistics complexities.

Shipley Donuts launched a systemwide online catering program built on Olo's platform, extending its ordering capabilities beyond individual transactions.

The National Restaurant Association's 2026 beverage trends report identifies consumer interest in drink-centric experiences as a growth area for restaurants, signaling potential menu and revenue diver

KFC and IShowSpeed have launched a co-branded product called Hot Ranch Big Dip.

Quick-service chains are experimenting with seasoning-based flavor options like McShaker Fries and Diablo Dust as alternatives to sauce, suggesting operators see texture preservation as a competitive

Restaurant chains are launching value promotions ahead of the back-to-school season, responding to expected record spending during the period.

Nation's Restaurant News identified 100 emerging restaurant concepts with sub-100-unit footprints that achieved growth in the past year.

The MAHA movement is advancing a proposed FDA rule to regulate foods labeled as Generally Recognized as Safe, signaling a potential shift in how food safety standards are enforced in the industry.

Döner Haus opened its first West Coast location in South Los Angeles, marking geographic expansion for the döner-focused chain.

The ONE Group Hospitality has acquired a Miami Benihana Express location and is building out the concept, with the CEO describing significant opportunity in the express format.

Burger King has selected Palmer Digital Group to supply outdoor drive-thru displays.

Taco Bell introduced three new Tajín-seasoned items, including a beverage, in a limited-time offering that represents the seasoning brand's largest quick-service restaurant collaboration to date.
