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News•Feb 23, 2026
KBP Brands Acquires 78 Sonic Drive-In Restaurants
KBP Brands, one of the nation’s largest franchise groups, has purchased 78 Sonic Drive‑In locations in Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, making it the fourth‑largest Sonic franchisee with 164 units. This is the company’s second Sonic acquisition within two years and brings its total portfolio to more than 1,100 quick‑service restaurants across 32 states. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but KBP’s CEO Mike Kulp highlighted the move as a catalyst for greater operational efficiencies. KBP now reports roughly $1.5 billion in annual sales after integrating the new sites.
By Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN)
Deals•Feb 23, 2026
Yadav Enterprises Acquires Del Taco From Jack in the Box for $119M
Yadav Enterprises has purchased Del Taco from Jack in the Box for a reported $119 million, marking a significant markdown. The sale follows Del Taco’s recent closures and its former operator Matadoor Restaurant Group’s Chapter 11 filing, highlighting challenges in...
Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN)
Deals•Feb 23, 2026
KBP Brands Acquires 78 Sonic Drive‑In Restaurants
KBP Brands, one of the largest U.S. franchise groups, announced the acquisition of 78 Sonic Drive‑In restaurants across Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, making it the fourth‑largest Sonic franchisee. The restaurants were purchased from Sonic corporate; terms were...
Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN)
News•Feb 20, 2026
Chipotle Giving Away Chips and Queso Blanco
Chipotle will give away a free side of its handmade chips and queso blanco on digital orders from February 23 through February 25 to celebrate National Tortilla Chip Day. The promotion spotlights chips made each morning with fresh lime and a queso...
By Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN)
News•Feb 20, 2026
Jack in the Box Launches Matcha
Jack in the Box has rolled out a matcha platform nationwide, featuring a Matcha Iced Latte and an Oreo Matcha Shake. The launch is framed as a “beverage‑forward” innovation aimed at expanding the chain’s flavor palette. Executive chef Ciaran Duffy...
By Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN)
News•Feb 19, 2026
Noodles & Company Executes 8-for-1 Reverse Stock Split
Noodles & Company completed an 8‑for‑1 reverse stock split on Feb. 19, 2026, moving its share price from $0.50 to roughly $4.00 to satisfy Nasdaq’s $1 minimum listing requirement. The split was approved by more than 96% of shareholders at a...
By Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN)
News•Feb 19, 2026
Adventure Time Bar Opens in Denver with Rotating Themes and Menus
Adventure Time Bar opened in Denver’s Baker neighborhood, offering a permanent venue with rotating immersive themes. Its debut, Neon City, features cyber‑punk décor, sound‑reactive lighting, and a cocktail menu built on molecular techniques. Patrons purchase tickets for timed seatings that...
By Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN)
News•Feb 19, 2026
Topgolf Appoints David McKillips CEO
Topgolf International announced David McKillips as its new chief executive officer, effective February 23, 2026. McKillips arrives with more than three decades of experience in family entertainment, most recently steering CEC Entertainment through a $350 million strategic investment and a Chapter 11...
By Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN)
News•Feb 19, 2026
Smoothie King Is Doubling Down on Food
Smoothie King is expanding its menu beyond smoothies, adding ovens and new food items such as bowls, toasts, protein boxes and chicken bites. The company will fund the oven equipment for franchisees, reinforcing a franchisee‑first strategy. Enhanced technology from Crunchtime...
By Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN)
News•Feb 19, 2026
TGI Fridays Dips Into a Cheese Fondue Platform
TGI Fridays has introduced a $3 “Fondue‑It” upgrade that adds a warm cheese pour to five popular menu items, served on a cast‑iron skillet. The launch coincides with two new offerings—a rib‑sandwich called the FRRIB and a Dubai Chocolate Espresso...
By Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN)
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News•Feb 19, 2026
Taco Bell Adds a Chicken Bacon Ranch Street Chalupa
Taco Bell introduced a limited‑time Chicken Bacon Ranch Street Chalupa on February 19, 2026, priced at $5.99 for a two‑pack and paired with $4.99 Nacho Fries. The new item joins the $9 Discovery Luxe Box, which also includes a Cheesy Bean and...
By Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Vibey Steak and Seafood Restaurant, The Guest House, Is Now Open in Scottsdale, Ariz.
The Guest House opened its third location in Scottsdale, Arizona, taking over the former Etta space in the Scottsdale Quarter. The 8,500‑square‑foot venue showcases New American steak and seafood, highlighted by a 36‑ounce tomahawk, dry‑aged rib eye, and tableside theatrical...
By Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN)
News•Feb 17, 2026
New York City-Based Little Ruby’s Just Opened in Dallas, Its First Out-of-State Expansion in 24 Years
Little Ruby’s, the Australian‑inspired all‑day restaurant founded in New York in 2002, opened its first out‑of‑state location in Dallas on February 2, marking a 24‑year expansion hiatus. The Uptown venue occupies 1,790 sq ft indoors with a 950‑sq ft patio, seating roughly 156 guests....
By Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Wendy’s Brutal Sales, McDonald’s Big Momentum, and Dutch Bros' Infinite Runway
Wendy’s reported an 11% drop in Q4 same‑store sales and an 8% decline for 2025, signaling a sharp contraction in its core market. In contrast, McDonald’s posted roughly 7% same‑store sales growth in the same quarter, buoyed by a record‑breaking...
By Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Applebee’s Creates Still Together Sips with Dre and Snoop
Applebee’s has launched a limited‑time "Still Together Sips" cocktail menu created with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dog, featuring two drinks made with the award‑winning Still G.I.N. gin. The $7 Young, Wild & Free Fruit Punch and $10 Rollin’ On The Beach are served with original temporary tattoos and are...
By Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN)
News•Feb 13, 2026
Tech Tracker: Toast and Instacart Team up to Tackle Emergency Restaurant Supply Challenges
Toast, a restaurant POS leader, has teamed with Instacart to launch a joint solution for emergency inventory replenishment. The integration lets operators order pantry staples, produce, and cleaning supplies through Toast’s interface and receive same‑day deliveries, often within an hour....
By Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN)
News•Feb 13, 2026
The Grinch, Spongebob, Popeyes
McDonald’s leveraged a Grinch‑themed meal, boosting same‑store sales 6.8% and achieving its highest single‑day sales ever, while expanding its value menu and testing a broader beverage lineup. Burger King’s SpongeBob movie tie‑in lifted U.S. same‑store sales 2.6% with $5 and...
By Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN)