977 stories · last 30 days by relevance
Poke chain expanding menu categories and scaling nationally while managing third-party delivery margins—playbook for fast-casual growth under platform economics.
A breakfast dining franchisee has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Restaurants are increasingly using tracking tools to measure social media campaign performance and link it directly to revenue, moving beyond guesswork in marketing attribution.
Chipotle's stock has declined 38% over the past year, but valuation models suggest the shares remain fairly to fully priced rather than undervalued.
Hot chicken chain Nashville Coop has signed franchise agreements to expand into the Philadelphia and South Jersey markets.
Fresh tomato prices dropped 8.5% month-over-month in May but remain 32% above year-ago levels, suggesting sustained cost pressures for restaurant operators despite recent relief.
The National Restaurant Association sent Congress a letter on June 17 requesting protection for THC drinks, marking a shift in the industry's public stance on cannabis products.
Cold foam toppings are gaining traction across cafes and major chains like Starbucks and Gong Cha, signaling consumer appetite for texture-driven beverage customization.
Single-brand menu LTO with no broader strategic signal or multi-unit growth implication.
SpotOn's showroom expansion is a vendor go-to-market play; relevant only if the showroom model signals new product or pricing shifts that affect multi-location operator adoption.
Canadian chain expansion into US signals growth opportunity, but story lacks specifics on brand, unit count, or strategy relevance to operators.
Mike's Hot Honey launched a multichannel soccer-themed campaign as part of its "Drizzle The Mike's" platform, which aims to position the brand around culturally relevant moments.
Restaurant operators are being urged to look beyond rapid hiring as a solution to high turnover, with a focus on examining kitchen complexity as a root cause.
A profile examines Don Fox's career trajectory from dishwasher to leader of a major quick-service chain, extracting lessons on culture and franchise growth.
Jersey Mike's recently ranked highest among fast-food chains on the American Customer Satisfaction Index, a position previously held by Chick-fil-A, signaling a potential shift in how customers percei
Breakfast-daypart scaling playbook with 21 consecutive quarters of growth—demonstrates how operational simplicity and affordability drive multi-unit franchisee success.
A new restaurant AI platform has launched with a stated goal of improving efficiency while preserving jobs.
A headline raises the question of whether U.S. consumers will embrace app-only restaurant ordering and service, signaling ongoing industry exploration of digital-first delivery models.
On the Border is closing all of its company-owned restaurant locations.
Technology has not delivered the transformative impact on restaurant operations that the industry anticipated.
A cautionary take that high engagement in loyalty programs doesn't necessarily translate to long-term customer retention or brand loyalty.
Seasonal catering promotion with branded merchandise tie-in — routine campaign with no strategic takeaway for operators.
Retail foot traffic shifting to evening/weekend windows — multi-location operators should monitor daytime labor and daypart mix strategy against traffic trends.
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Wage-dispute headline signals labor risk but lacks detail on brand, scale, or systemic lesson for operators.
Shipley Donuts is entering Ohio for the first time with three locations planned in Cincinnati, signaling expansion into a new regional market.
A 2026 survey finds 22% of diners use AI for restaurant recommendations, yet 83% of restaurants don't appear in AI responses, signaling that most operators lack the verified data infrastructure needed
Foot-traffic data confirms Chick-fil-A's expansion is driving sustained customer visits — a benchmark for QSR growth strategies.
Q1 performance analysis of a major fast-casual chain offers insights into 2026 dining trends and consumer behavior for operators benchmarking their own results.
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El Pollo Loco has expanded into its 10th state as its development pipeline accelerates and unit economics improve.
Velvet Taco's CEO will speak at the Fast Casual Executive Summit about scaling a fast-casual brand while preserving its identity, signaling that cultural differentiation may be viewed as equally impor
Jersey Mike's Subs displaced Chick-fil-A from the top of the ACSI quick-service restaurant rankings after Chick-fil-A had held the position for 11 years, signaling a potential shift in customer satisf
Multi-unit operators learning pricing-power strategies, loyalty mechanics, and AI applications from a fast-growing brand CEO—practical playbook for margin protection without discounting.
NRA advocacy on hemp beverage regulation and state legislative landscape—relevant to multi-state operators navigating regulatory risk and lobbying priorities.
Hungry Howie's appointed Jimmy Simonte as executive vice president of marketing, bringing over 25 years of pizza-industry experience from Domino's.
Starbucks is hiring over 300 coffeehouse coaches in the near term, with thousands more planned by year-end, a move that signals potential to expand women into restaurant leadership roles.
Shake Shack posted Q4 2025 results driven by new unit openings, with same-store sales remaining flat.
Dog Haus appointed franchise veterans to its executive team.
Limited-time beverage launch across 1,177+ locations — routine promotional menu activity without financial or strategic context.
Seasonal LTO brunch menu — routine promotional activity with no operator insight or multi-unit strategic signal.
Kona Ice, a mobile food franchise, announced it now operates in all 50 U.S. states following a new truck opening in Fargo.
BurgerFi has acquired Savvy Sliders and both brands are preparing growth initiatives following the deal.
American Express plans to acquire TheFork, Tripadvisor's restaurant booking platform, expanding its dining and travel offerings globally.
Dutch Bros' raised guidance has prompted valuation reassessment, with DCF analysis suggesting undervaluation while market multiples indicate a premium—signaling mixed signals on whether recent stock g
Food and beverage franchises are opening locations in convenience stores, expanding beyond traditional retail channels.
POS migration and IT infrastructure challenges are top operator pain points — strong tech infrastructure underpins guest experience and operational efficiency.
Bob Wright's Potbelly turnaround record now tested at a 7000+ unit chain — major CMO hire signals strategy shift worth tracking.
Placer.ai published a March 2026 dining traffic index recap.
Chipotle's World Cup buy-one-get-one promotion drove record traffic on a single day in 2026, according to foot-traffic data.
Comparing growth strategies of two major coffee chains reveals different playbooks for traffic and unit expansion in a maturing segment.
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Slim Chickens appointed Shak Turner as VP of domestic franchise growth; Turner brings prior leadership experience from Dunkin', Baskin-Robbins, and Capriotti's.
