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PAR Technology released a 2026 report surveying 1,000 consumers on AI adoption in restaurants, signaling growing focus on consumer-facing AI applications in the industry.
Palmer Digital Group has been approved as a supplier of outdoor digital menu boards for Burger King franchisees in the U.S. and Canada, signaling continued investment by the chain in modernizing order
A mid-tier segment of the top 500 restaurant chains shows mixed performance, with some operators reporting significant growth while others have undergone closures.
MOOYAH Burgers signed a master franchise agreement to expand into the United Arab Emirates with Great USA Foods LLC, signaling the Texas-based chain's push into international markets.
Smoothie King launched its first food menu in 2025 and is seeing sales growth from the expansion, signaling how beverage-focused chains are testing food offerings to deepen customer transactions.
Restaurant leaders speaking at the 2026 Fast Casual Executive Summit argue that high turnover stems from workplace culture rather than hiring difficulties, suggesting operators may need to focus reten
7 Brew and Dutch Bros are in a legal dispute in bankruptcy court over which chain should acquire the closed Salad and Go locations.
Drive-thru salad chain Salad and Go closed all remaining locations and filed for bankruptcy this week, raising questions about consumer demand for the concept.
DoorDash is funding $6M in discounts through Flavor Week, a campaign running through Aug. 23 across six cities aimed at driving new customers to independent restaurants.
First Watch has seen unaided brand awareness rise by more than 50% year-over-year, though the chain remains far from national household recognition.
Popeyes has launched a pineapple drink line.
Food ingredient contamination prevention requires multiple checkpoints across the supply chain rather than relying on a single safeguard.
David Cantu, a former restaurant operator, is addressing pain points he experienced during nearly two decades in the industry by developing tools aimed at giving operators better visibility into their
A Schoox survey found that a majority of young restaurant workers report inadequate training from employers, highlighting a gap between employee learning needs and what operators provide — a mismatch
Bonchon's CEO discussed the brand's adoption of AI to streamline operations, signaling that quick-service chains are exploring automation to improve efficiency and margins.
Chipotle is entering Saudi Arabia with its first location in Riyadh via a partnership with Alshaya Group, signaling continued international expansion into new markets.
The restaurant industry is undergoing a structural shift where successful operators across QSR, fast casual, and full-service segments are strategically repositioning, signaling that market consolidat
Outback Steakhouse held its first managing partners conference since 2019 in June, where new CEO Mike Spanos—a former Delta Airlines operations executive who joined in September 2024—appears to have g
7 Brew released its first mobile app, featuring order-ahead and expanded rewards functionality.
A panel discussion at the Fast Casual Executive Summit will address menu localization strategies for multi-unit operators, featuring industry experts discussing how to implement regional promotions ef
Yo-Chi, an Australian frozen yogurt chain with 75 units across Singapore and London, is entering the U.S. market with a Dallas location in September and plans to expand through local joint-venture par
Dunn Brothers Coffee has become the official coffee partner at the University of St. Thomas, opening four locations on campus this fall, signaling the specialty coffee chain's strategy to expand into
Applebee's launched an O-M-Cheese-adilla Burger, a cheese-covered version of its Quesadilla Burger, with former NFL player Marshawn Lynch as spokesperson, extending the brand's O-M-Cheese platform.
UNO Pizzeria & Grill's $99 Pizza Pass promotion drove such high initial demand that it crashed the brand's website, suggesting aggressive value positioning can overwhelm digital infrastructure if not
Dave Thomas's grandson Sean Thomas is applying lessons learned from his grandfather at both Minnie Bird, a Chicago chicken chain, and his own Wendy's franchise.
Wendy's U.S. president has departed the company to lead a supply chain cooperative.
Chicken Salad Chick ranked at the top of YouGov's study of emerging restaurant brands, which evaluated chains using key performance metrics.
Red Lobster has relaunched its Endless Shrimp promotion for a second time in 2024 after the spring iteration outperformed internal expectations, signaling strong customer demand for the high-volume pr
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Senior hire at a multi-location brand signals growth ambitions — CDO appointments at scaled chains often precede franchise acceleration or new unit formats.
Wingstop is reintroducing Carolina Gold and Jamaican Jerk sauces for a limited time, with early access for loyalty program members starting Aug. 7, signaling the chain's reliance on rotating LTO campa
Twin Peaks is promoting its locations as venues for fantasy football draft parties, offering commissioner rewards and HDTVs to attract league gatherings.
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.
Chipotle launched a BOGO promotion tied to tennis player Taylor Fritz, leveraging athlete endorsement to drive traffic during a high-visibility sports moment.
Delaware North has partnered with TipHaus to automate tip management across its venue portfolio, signaling growing operator interest in streamlining labor administration technology.
Einstein Bros. Bagels signed five new leases in the Houston area through real estate brokerage Baker Katz, signaling continued expansion in a market the chain views as strategically important.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being positioned as a significant engagement opportunity for U.S. restaurants, suggesting major sporting events can drive customer occasions beyond traditional sponsorships.
Wonder is acquiring Salt Hank's, a NYC sandwich shop known for its French Dip, and will operate the concept starting this fall, signaling the ghost-kitchen platform's continued expansion into establis
A&W has developed a larger store prototype with a diner-inspired format intended to emphasize hospitality and differentiation from typical quick-service restaurants.
Hawaiian Bros is planning expansion in 2026 supported by franchise growth.
Bubbakoo's Burritos is adding restaurants and leadership roles as it expands its franchise system, signaling confidence in scaling operations beyond its current footprint.
Potbelly opened new locations and signed franchise development agreements in Q2 2026, continuing its expansion strategy.
Salad and Go's collapse illustrates the risks of prioritizing rapid expansion over operational consistency and product quality in quick-service.
Smoothie King reported 9% same-store sales growth in July, attributed partly to new Chicken Flatbread offerings, suggesting menu expansion into savory items may broaden appeal beyond beverages.
Houston TX Hot Chicken appointed Ashley Prokos as Senior Director of Franchise Sales, signaling the brand's push to accelerate franchise expansion.
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers promoted Rick Petralia to Executive Chef and VP of Training & Innovation, expanding his oversight of the chain's training and media operations.
Restaurant chains have pursued cultural tie-in marketing heavily this year, but the strategy appears to be generating less consumer impact than it once did.
The U.S. coffee shop market reached $58.5 billion annually with 6.6% year-over-year growth, signaling robust demand for coffee programs, though restaurant operators face margin pressures that merit at
Twisted Egg Shack signed an exclusive area development agreement with 1836 Brands to expand in Texas, continuing its growth as a quick-service breakfast and lunch concept.
TGI Fridays' new CEO is pursuing global expansion, digital engagement, and internal culture initiatives to revitalize the casual-dining chain two years after emerging from bankruptcy.
