858 stories · last 30 days by relevance
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.
Cracker Barrel's CEO departed after a rebrand misstep, signaling that operational recovery alone may not repair brand perception damage without deliberate narrative management.
Potbelly is opening its first Georgia location on September 1, marking the chain's expansion into a new state market.
A proposed change to SNAP benefits may affect quick-service restaurant sales across nine states.
Papa John's brand perception index has improved year-over-year, but the chain still trails competitors in value and customer satisfaction measures.
Former fitness entrepreneur Steele Smiley exited his 900+ franchise fitness business to launch CRISP & GREEN, a healthy fast-food brand now operating 53 locations; the move signals entrepreneur convic
Franchise owners are managing multiple locations' back-office work during off-hours to avoid hiring additional staff, suggesting operational inefficiencies across multi-unit systems.
Colony Grill, a Connecticut pizza chain, plans to open two new locations in Hartford County in 2027, signaling continued confidence in regional expansion despite broader restaurant-sector uncertainty.
Restaurant operators are prioritizing expansion strategies rather than scaling back operations in 2026.
Mokas Coffee & Eatery has signed a development agreement to open 9 units in the Kansas City area.
Restaurant brands are increasingly using AI and location data to refine site selection, marketing, and loyalty programs, reflecting broader shifts in how operators approach foot-traffic strategy in a
A Toast survey shows fast casual operators remain growth-focused despite cost and labor headwinds, signaling confidence in the segment's resilience amid near-term operational pressures.
The Scream Truck is positioning itself for franchise expansion by adding brand partnership revenue opportunities alongside its ice cream operations.
Long John Silver's is rolling out a fall menu emphasizing comfort items and value pricing while pursuing expansion under new ownership, suggesting a focus on traffic-driving promotions alongside physi
Dog Haus hired James Field, a former executive from Jersey Mike's, as its new CMO, alongside other marketing team promotions and new hires.
Chicken tenders are appearing across new restaurant categories and concepts, signaling continued menu diversification around a familiar, accessible protein.
Wendy's restaurant closures signal a broader industry shift toward prioritizing unit economics and smaller formats over rapid expansion.
Chili's attributed its sales growth to five operational moves: menu simplification, friction reduction, value positioning, loyalty program infrastructure, and labor investment, signals that establishe
Applebee's, an official NFL sponsor, is offering a season-long promotional pass for free boneless wings to drive gameday traffic during football season.
Long John Silver's has reported 16 consecutive quarters of sales growth following years of restructuring and menu changes, signaling the chain may be stabilizing after a period of decline.
Potbelly has agreed to expand with 10 new locations in Central Florida.
Jollibee has opened its first franchised location in California, in Roseville.
Ascent Hospitality Management held its inaugural all-brands conference, convening over 500 franchisees, vendors, and corporate staff across its Perkins and Huddle House banners.
PAR Technology launched Guest360, a guest data platform that tracks restaurant customers across transactions regardless of loyalty program enrollment, designed to work with its existing Punchh loyalty
HTeaO, a Texas iced tea concept, reported $147M in 2025 sales and is positioning its water purification system and customization capabilities as differentiation points in the beverage market under new
Fast-casual operators from Hot Head Burritos, Smoothie King, and Kraft Heinz are sharing insights on executing brand collaborations successfully at an industry conference.
Domino's has introduced a pizza offering that draws comparison to burger-chain menu items.
Walk-On's is launching a smaller, lower-cost prototype with a company-owned location planned for Baton Rouge in early 2027, suggesting the chain may be testing a more scalable format to manage expansi
Two beverage chains—7 Brew and Dutch Bros—are competing in a court-supervised auction for bankrupt Salad and Go's closed locations, with Dutch Bros having initially offered $105 million.
New research shows GLP-1 adoption is dynamic and varies significantly by restaurant, with men representing an underappreciated user segment—signaling that chains may need to recalibrate their assumpti
A PAR e-book reports that roughly one-third of restaurant operators are using AI as an analytical tool rather than just for reporting, suggesting a shift toward more interactive data exploration in re
Olive Garden is running its Never-Ending Pasta Bowl promotion nationwide for 13 weeks starting Aug. 31 at $14.99, featuring new limited-time pasta options—a move that signals the brand's continued rel
Chipotle launched a back-to-school BOGO that achieved record redemptions, and has now rolled out another promotion tied to tennis player Taylor Fritz and the U.S. Open, signaling the chain's confidenc
New IRS overtime rules now require employers to report eligible overtime compensation on employee W-2 forms, signaling a shift in how restaurant payroll documentation will need to be handled.
CEO reveals growth and franchising playbook for a fast-casual brand thriving despite market headwinds — relevant for operators evaluating expansion and unit economics.
AI adoption in restaurant kitchens is accelerating beyond transaction-focused systems, though many operators remain uncertain about specific operational applications.
Angry Chickz launched a mobile app and rewards program, signaling the Nashville hot chicken chain's shift toward direct customer ordering and loyalty—a common pattern as chains seek to reduce commissi
Shell is offering McDonald's loyalty members discounts at Shell gas stations through mid-September, signaling a cross-category partnership to drive foot traffic and reward program enrollment.
Wendy's U.S. president Pete Suerken has resigned after his position was eliminated, and he will return to lead the company's supply chain co-op.
Wonder and Serve Robotics are expanding autonomous delivery through Grubhub to Chicago, Los Angeles, and Alexandria, Virginia, signaling growing adoption of robotic fulfillment in restaurant order log
AI discussions have become ubiquitous among restaurant executives across marketing, operations, labor, and guest experience functions, suggesting the industry has moved past early skepticism to treati
Subway is working to prevent franchisee store closures, signaling ongoing tension between the chain and its franchise network.
Red Robin appointed Scott Hudler, who previously held marketing roles at Whataburger, Dunkin', and Torchy's Tacos, as its new Chief Marketing Officer.
Huddle House is offering franchising discounts to attract multi-unit operators, as the chain seeks to reverse recent net closures and boost unit growth.
Whataburger introduced a value menu called More for $4.
