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Spreedly suggests that beneficial automated agents may emerge as a legitimate commerce channel, shifting industry perception away from bots as solely fraudulent threats.
The FDA is working to define ultra-processed foods, a regulatory effort that signals potential future shifts in how restaurants may need to disclose or market products.
A new study claims a proposed $25 minimum wage could cost 5 million jobs, raising questions about what wage increase restaurant operators might find acceptable.
Dave's Hot Chicken's CMO discusses the chain's approach to AI, using it for backend operations like customer data and financial analysis while excluding it from creative and content work.
Beef prices have risen 25% since 2023, driving higher consumer spending despite fewer eating occasions—signaling margin pressure on operators reliant on beef-heavy menus.
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is approaching 100 locations following strong first-half 2026 performance, signaling continued momentum in the fast-casual Mediterranean segment.
El Pollo Loco's CEO announced the chain is doubling its development pace year-over-year and exploring fried chicken additions, signaling accelerated expansion and product diversification following a b
A PAR survey found that three-quarters of diners are open to AI use in restaurants, suggesting operators are unlikely to face widespread consumer resistance to automation adoption.
Some restaurant operators are using AI to develop their own software rather than buying from vendors, a shift that suggests the traditional build-versus-buy calculus may be changing in the tech-enable
Walk-On's is shifting to smaller, less expensive restaurant formats to expand beyond the large venues that have defined its two-decade track record, signaling a strategic pivot to access territory whe
Slim Chickens launched a Development Fund Program in August 2026 offering franchisees up to $200,000 per new restaurant, signaling an effort to accelerate unit growth through direct financial support.
Jet's Pizza achieved double-digit sales growth last year while most top-10 pizza chains saw negative results, suggesting a quality-focused strategy may have insulated the chain from broader category h
Dine Brands posted flat-to-positive portfolio sales last quarter but saw same-store sales decline 1.8 percent year-over-year at Applebee's in Q2 2026, suggesting momentum from its turnaround may be so
Swig has signed a six-unit franchise agreement with Athena Franchise Group to enter the Greater Boston market, signaling the brand's geographic expansion strategy into a new state.
Your Pie shifted its business model during the pandemic, with off-premises orders growing from roughly 10% of sales pre-2020 to near 40% today, signaling that fast-casual pizza operators have successf
Pizza Hut's global CEO Aaron Powell is stepping down following the completion of the chain's sale to LongRange Capital.
Quick-service restaurants face persistent entry-level labor shortages that have evolved from temporary hiring challenges into a structural operational problem affecting staffing, scheduling, and reten
The FTC will distribute $23.8 million from Grubhub's 2024 settlement over alleged deceptive practices around driver pay and consumer restrictions, signaling ongoing regulatory scrutiny of gig-delivery
Fast-food chains are scaling back aggressive marketing efforts, signaling a recognition that operational and promotional complexity may be undermining returns.
Papa John's is deploying field teams and incentives to address operational inconsistency, which CEO Todd Penegor identified as a key weakness limiting the chain's potential.
McDonald's has added Red Bull energy drinks to its menu, a move that signals potential interest in capturing afternoon daypart traffic when beverage sales typically lag.
Starbucks is launching its fall pumpkin menu on August 25, later than competitors including Dunkin', Krispy Kreme, Scooter's, IHOP, and Panera, which are releasing their autumn lineups earlier.
Beyond Juicery reports that all franchise owners adopted its new pricing strategy while maintaining customer traffic in a difficult operating environment.
A major foodborne illness outbreak involving cyclospora and other pathogens is highlighting vulnerabilities in restaurant supply chains and food safety protocols.
Google has integrated restaurant ordering into Maps, allowing customers to search for and order from nearby restaurants via an AI-powered feature without leaving the app.
Sweetgreen reported operational improvements in value perception, transactions, and throughput, though a Cyclospora outbreak concern dampened sales gains despite the brand not serving iceberg lettuce.
Popeyes posted a 5.2% same-store sales decline in Q2, marking its sixth consecutive quarterly drop, though management expressed confidence in recovery.
Krispy Kreme's revenue declined 12.8% due to refranchising and store closures, though the chain narrowed losses as part of its turnaround plan, signaling a shift toward profitability over growth.
Burger King's sales have accelerated while Popeyes continues to underperform, though parent company RBI remains optimistic about the chicken chain's prospects.
Jollibee's U.S. president outlined strategies that have contributed to the chain achieving nearly $5 million in average unit volume, highlighting competitive differentiation in the chicken segment.
Bain Capital acquired Gong cha, a bubble tea chain operating approximately 2,200 locations globally including at least 240 U.S. stores.
Crumbl launched an in-app feature letting customers design custom dirty sodas and earn rewards when others order their creations, signaling a shift toward user-generated product development as a reten
Taco Bell faced criticism for delayed communication during a cyclospora outbreak linked to its lettuce supply, suggesting that slow crisis response can undermine consumer trust even after corrective a
The Flying Biscuit Café, an Atlanta-based all-day breakfast and brunch concept, has signed its first Missouri location in St. Charles, marking geographic expansion into a new state.
First Watch posted 3.4% same-store sales growth in Q2 with traffic improvements, leading the chain to raise its outlook.
HTeaO has appointed Brian Wise, a 7.5-year veteran of Freddy's who most recently served as COO, as its new CEO.
BJ's CEO attributes eight consecutive quarters of growth to everyday value offerings, menu renovation, and operational fundamentals.
A multi-unit franchisee operating Little Caesars and Jersey Mike's locations has added Mike's Red Tacos to its Michigan restaurant portfolio.
Aroma Joe's achieved a top-5 ranking in Newsweek's coffee chain awards for the first half of 2026, signaling growing consumer recognition of the handcrafted beverage franchise.
McDonald's returned $37 billion to shareholders through buybacks and dividends while its stock underperformed the broader market, raising questions about capital allocation efficiency.
Denny's is expanding its catering business, with CEO Chris Bode noting that two major competitors generate roughly $150 million in combined annual catering sales compared to Denny's $1.5 million last
Pizza Hut is featuring NFL quarterbacks like Josh Allen in its advertising while shifting its brand positioning to emphasize value.
DoorDash launched a season-long rewards program called 'Don't Fan for Free' tied to college football, aiming to capture fan engagement and order frequency during the 2026 season.
7 Brew expanded its canned coffee and energy drink distribution to thousands of Walmart locations, signaling confidence in scaling its ready-to-drink portfolio beyond its core coffee shop model.
7 Brew will begin selling bottled coffee and energy drinks in Walmart stores this month, extending the drive-thru chain's retail presence beyond its core locations.
AI is collapsing the cost of labor-intensive consulting work (prime cost optimization) — operators should expect faster, cheaper tools for operational diagnostics.
Yum China has opened its 300th Pizza Hut Burger Bar location.
A lettuce recall involving Taco Bell and Taylor Farms this summer illustrates how restaurants can unknowingly distribute contaminated products sourced from suppliers, underscoring the need for robust
Fast-casual and quick-service chains are adding shrimp to limited-service menus as a protein option perceived as cost-effective and adaptable across cuisines.
Boston Market's first India location, operating under the Boston Chicken brand, has shut down following a landlord lawsuit over unpaid rent.
