Restaurant Dive
Q2 2026’s restaurant winners and losers
Coffee concepts are gaining share while pizza concepts face headwinds, and some established QSR chains are undergoing turnarounds, according to Restaurant Dive's Q2 2026 analysis.
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Loyalty programs are increasingly serving as data collection tools rather than purely transactional offers, enabling restaurants to build first-party customer insights.
Coffee concepts are gaining share while pizza concepts face headwinds, and some established QSR chains are undergoing turnarounds, according to Restaurant Dive's Q2 2026 analysis.
The FDA classified Taylor Farms' iceberg lettuce recall as a high-risk Class I event, signaling heightened food safety enforcement in fresh produce supply chains that restaurant operators depend on.
Heal Wellness QSR has opened its 50th and 51st locations, continuing its expansion in the quick-service wellness segment.
A major pub and restaurant chain is closing 66 locations today, affecting approximately 3,800 jobs.
A cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to lettuce has become the largest on record in the U.S., with over 12,000 cases reported in Michigan alone and spread across 15 states, signaling potential supply-chai
CAKE reported restaurant margins at decade-high levels, driven by traffic, productivity, and sales leverage, signaling operational efficiency gains in the current environment.
A podcast episode explores recruitment and retention strategies for restaurant teams, with Vanteo's Tom Kilby discussing approaches to hire and keep employees in an industry facing persistent staffing
WOWorks announced plans for 23 restaurant openings in 2026, with 15 additional locations in development.
Merchants are adopting AI agents for commerce while maintaining control over customer interactions, shifting the industry debate from AI capability to merchant choice about deployment.
A barbecue chain closed more locations than it publicly disclosed, suggesting possible gaps between communicated and actual operational changes.
Restaurant chains are investing in their own delivery apps to reduce third-party platform fees, though adoption remains a challenge for operators.
The founder of text-message ordering technology claims his platform powers over 800 restaurant brands including major chains like Shake Shack and Panda Express, signaling that SMS remains a viable ord
Restaurant Brands' valuation relative to peers is being examined, though the source provides no specific metrics or data to support claims about valuation convergence.
KFC promoted an executive internally, Sweetgreen launched a 30-day customer challenge, and a South Korean bakery-cafe chain plans a U.S. debut.
Wendy's promoted a new CMO, Pizza Hut separated from Yum Brands, and independent restaurants have seen sales growth, according to a debate between industry analysts.
A restaurant's reservation system captures customer data from busy service nights, creating a record of guest information.
Industry experts are examining the potential federal definition of ultra-processed foods and its implications for restaurant operators, signaling possible regulatory shifts ahead.
Eusha Bajwa, CEO of Meal Dynamics, comes from a family franchise operation that grew from a single Papa John's location to 275 restaurants across 10 states, signaling the scale potential of multi-unit
Al Lucas built a career progressing from dishwasher to VP at a chain restaurant before moving to independent operators, suggesting chain experience can provide foundational training for independent su
Industry observers expect increased robotics adoption in restaurants over the coming year, suggesting consumer familiarity with automation in daily life may drive expectations for efficiency in dining
A pub restaurant chain is closing all 89 of its locations today.
A new research roundup from Modern Restaurant Management covers consumer traffic patterns, resale market dynamics, menu pricing, workplace meal programs, private chef demand, and sports bar attributes
Jersey Mike's stock price reached a new low on the NYSE, though the source provides no detail on the cause or timing of the decline.
An e-commerce risk expert has identified fraud as a significant vulnerability in restaurant loyalty programs.
Restaurant operators are finding measurable returns from AI implementations, with integration into existing systems rather than standalone tools emerging as a success factor, according to the IFBTA's
Restaurant chains are running Labor Day promotions tied to Grubhub delivery.
Restaurants are exploring Gen X and Baby Boomer hiring as a potential response to labor turnover, signaling a shift toward older demographics who may bring different workforce characteristics than you
QSR Magazine reports that value incentives are undermining restaurant loyalty programs, suggesting operators may need to reconsider how discounts and deals interact with program retention strategies.
Restaurant industry leaders are highlighting connected kitchen equipment and integrated technology platforms as key emerging tools in the restaurant tech space.
Major quick-service and casual-dining chains including Taco Bell, Popeyes, Burger King, Applebee's, Chipotle, and others have introduced new menu items.
Major chains including Panera, Qdoba, Applebee's, and others are featuring cheese-forward dishes on fall menus, signaling continued consumer appetite for indulgent, comfort-food ingredients.
Fall-themed menu items including pumpkin spice, pecan, and tiramisu are appearing on restaurant menus, though consumer demand for these flavors remains unclear.
Maria Rivera, former Krispy Kreme president, has launched RC Hospitality Group to support emerging restaurant brands led by female and minority entrepreneurs.
Restaurants are increasing customer technology investments despite traffic remaining 7% below pre-pandemic levels, suggesting operators see tech adoption as essential for competing in a slower-recover
Four restaurant stocks have gained 50% or more over six months; the article suggests improving earnings, margins, and operations could sustain momentum.
Restaurant consultant David Scott Peters recommends holiday menus focus on operational simplicity and profitability through dish costing, inventory optimization, and testing—suggesting operators shoul
QSR Magazine published a report on average-unit volumes for emerging quick-service restaurant brands in 2026.
QSR Magazine has identified seven franchisors highlighted as worth monitoring in 2026.
SupplyCaddy, a restaurant packaging and supply chain service founded in 2020, secured growth investment from existing partner CEAS Investments and counts more than 70 brands among its clients.
Restaurant customers are increasingly using their own devices to interact with and order from brands, signaling a shift in how restaurants must engage diners in the digital space.
Wonder laid off approximately 150 employees, representing 7% of its workforce, as part of a streamlining effort.
Bloom Intelligence reports that high-frequency restaurant guests (10+ visits) represent 2.7% of typical guestbooks, suggesting modern segmentation strategies now layer behavioral signals beyond tradit
Lower-ABV cocktails like spritzes and earlier happy hours emerged as top drinking trends over recent months, according to Square data—signaling operators may see sustained demand for lighter, session-
Franchise expansion strategy from a regional seafood chain — limited relevance unless story details unit economics or multi-market rollout playbook.
A Sussex-based restaurant chain acknowledged a processing error that resulted in staff being underpaid.
According to PYMNTS Intelligence, only 23% of merchants can currently identify AI-driven traffic and purchases, suggesting most retailers lack visibility into how AI agents are influencing their digit
