MenuMasters Winning Chef Grant Achatz Reflects on a Career of Constant Innovation
Grant Achatz, the chef behind Chicago’s three‑star Alinea, reflects on a career defined by relentless innovation, mentorship, and personal resilience. After early stints with Thomas Keller, Charlie Trotter, and a stage at elBulli, he launched Alinea in 2004, later adding the concept‑driven restaurants Next and the Aviary bar. A 2007 diagnosis of stage‑four tongue cancer forced an experimental treatment at the University of Chicago, after which he rebuilt his palate and leadership style. On May 16, Achatz will be inducted into Nation’s Restaurant News’ MenuMasters Hall of Fame, cementing his influence on modern gastronomy.
What to Expect From the 2026 National Restaurant Association Show
The 2026 National Restaurant Association Show returns to Chicago’s McCormick Place as the largest food‑service convention in the Western Hemisphere, drawing more than 50,000 attendees and over 2,100 exhibitors. SVP Lisa Malikow reveals new product launches, a stronger emphasis on...
Vicious Biscuit Names Industry Veteran Mike Stevens Chief Development Officer and Promotes Kate Byrd
Vicious Biscuit, the fast‑casual breakfast chain, appointed industry veteran Mike Stevens as chief development officer and director of supply chain, while promoting Kate Byrd to franchise liaison. Stevens, who has more than 30 years scaling restaurant concepts, will steer franchise sales, pipeline...
El Pollo Loco’s Margin, Marketing, Menu Momentum Continues
El Pollo Loco posted a 5.8% same‑store sales gain in Q1 2026 and lifted restaurant‑level margins 320 basis points to 19.2%, hitting the 18‑20% target set by CEO Liz Williams. The improvement stems from tighter cost control, strategic menu pricing and technology upgrades, while new...
STK-Parent One Group Says Cost-Cutting Efforts Are Paying Off
One Group, the parent of upscale‑dining brands STK, Benihana and Kona Grill, has intensified cost‑cutting measures that are now bearing fruit. In Q1, restaurant‑level operating margins rose 100 basis points year‑over‑year to 19%, with STK’s margin jumping 280 basis points...
Wendy’s Sales Fell Again Last Quarter, but the Company Sees Progress in International
Wendy’s reported a 7.8% drop in U.S. same‑store sales for Q1, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of decline, while international same‑store sales slipped 0.4%. The chain announced a 1,000‑unit expansion agreement in China, underscoring a push for global growth despite...
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Texas Roadhouse Sprints to Best Same-Store Sales Since ’24
Texas Roadhouse reported a 7.1% year‑over‑year same‑store sales increase for the quarter ending March 31, its strongest performance since Q4 2024. Growth was driven by a 4.5% traffic lift and a 3.1% price increase, bolstered by new digital ordering tools and a...
Krispy Kreme Outsources Delivery Logistics as Turnaround Gains Speed
Krispy Kreme posted a modest 0.7% rise in system‑wide sales to $485.3 million in Q1, signaling momentum in its multi‑year turnaround. The company is accelerating a refranchising push, aiming to lift franchise‑generated sales from 25% to 50% of total by 2027....
Burger King, Popeyes, BJ’s
Burger King’s president launched a listening tour that generated 64,000 customer calls and texts, contributing to a 5.8% same‑store sales rise in Q1. In contrast, Popeyes recorded a -6.5% same‑store sales decline, its worst quarter in two decades, prompting a...
Only the Wild Ones Opens in Austin, the Hi-Fi Wine Bar’s Third Location, After L.A. and New York
Only the Wild Ones opened its third venue on Austin’s South Congress on May 1, debuting the brand’s first exclusively outdoor, hi‑fi wine bar and listening lounge. Founded by Heather Tierney and Sarah Meyer Simon—also behind The Butcher’s Daughter—the Austin outpost offers...
Cautious Consumers and Rivals' Promotions Hit Papa Johns' Sales
Papa John’s reported a 6.4% decline in North American same‑store sales for Q1 2026, while international locations posted a 3.6% increase, leaving total system sales down 4% and net income at $7 million. CEO Todd Penegor said the results match expectations amid a...
The Real Problem with the Pizza Industry
The pizza segment has slipped to the sixth‑most‑popular restaurant category as inflation and third‑party delivery platforms compress margins and erode customer data. Operators are seeing smaller orders, higher ingredient costs, and rising labor expenses, while only 4.9% have adopted AI...
Noodles & Company Raises Guidance on Strong First Quarter
Noodles & Company posted a stronger‑than‑expected first‑quarter, raising its full‑year guidance. Same‑store sales climbed 9.1% system‑wide, driven by higher traffic and a 4.4% lift in average check size. Restaurant‑level margins expanded to 14.9%, and the net loss narrowed to $3.4 million...
Applebee’s Feels a Pinch From Higher Gas Prices
Applebee’s Q1 same‑store sales rose 1.9% as the chain navigated higher gasoline costs that have dampened traffic among price‑sensitive diners. The boost came from a strong O‑M‑Cheeseburger promotion, which helped make Valentine’s Day the brand’s best sales day ever, and...
Bloomin' Stock Soars as Outback Gains Momentum
Bloomin’ Brands’ stock surged nearly 45% after the company reported stronger‑than‑expected same‑store sales across its four concepts, driven by a rebound at Outback Steakhouse and double‑digit growth at Bonefish Grill. For the quarter ending March 29, combined same‑store sales rose 0.9%...
BJ's Restaurants Posts Seventh Straight Quarter of Growth
BJ’s Restaurants reported a 2.4% same‑store sales increase for Q1 2026, marking its seventh consecutive quarter of growth. Traffic rose 2.2% and the chain outperformed the casual‑dining category by 120 basis points on sales and 400 basis points on traffic....
MAKfam in Denver Looks After Its Staff as Well as Its Bottom Line
MAKfam, a modern Chinese restaurant in Denver that opened in November 2023, earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand and generated $2.2 million in its first year, surpassing the founders’ $1.8 million projection. The husband‑and‑wife team, Doris Yuen and Kenneth Wan, built a compensation...
First Watch, Portillo’s and KFC
First Watch’s refreshed menu and a digital push lifted same‑store sales 2.8% despite a 2% dip in traffic, with 75% of locations now running targeted ads. Portillo’s saw a 0.8% rise in transactions but a 0.1% same‑store sales decline as average...
How Two Independent Restaurants Are Managing a High-Cost Environment
Two independent restaurants are navigating today’s inflation‑driven cost squeeze with contrasting yet effective tactics. Chicago’s Adalina Prime, a fine‑dining steakhouse, relies on diversified suppliers, real‑time recipe‑costing software, and a data‑driven labor platform to keep menu prices stable and staffing efficient....
Papa Johns and Toy Story 5 Mark First-Ever Collaboration
Papa Johns announced its first-ever partnership with Disney‑Pixar’s Toy Story 5, launching three themed personal pizzas, a special Rootin’ Tootin’ Ranch dip, and limited‑edition collectibles. The items debut in the U.S. on June 1 at $6.99 and run through July 19, with the promotion expanding to...
Chicken Sales, Popeyes Wraps, Miller’s CEO
Technomic’s Top 500 data show chicken‑category sales grew only 5.3% in 2025, a deceleration from 9.1% in 2024 and double‑digit growth in prior years. The slowdown coincides with a 46% decade‑long expansion of chicken‑chain locations, crowding the market and tempering growth...
Fruit-Based Drinks Are Everywhere, but Juice It Up Keeps Growing
Juice It Up, the 30‑year‑old California franchise, posted a 9% sales jump to $54.5 million in 2025 and grew its footprint to 99 stores, a 6.5% increase. Average unit volume surged nearly 50% under CEO Susan Taylor, reaching $595,000 per location....
KFC Jumps on Met Gala Marketing Opportunity
KFC is capitalizing on the 2026 Met Gala by launching a real‑time promotion that offers a 50% discount on a 12‑piece chicken‑only bucket when a Colonel‑coded look appears on the red carpet. The limited‑time deal, redeemable via the KFC app...
The Chicken Category’s Sales Slowed Last Year
Chicken‑chain sales slowed sharply in 2025, growing only 5.3% versus the industry’s 3% gain, after a 9.1% rise in 2024. The slowdown reflects a 7% sales deceleration over two years, with marquee brands like Popeyes posting a 0.5% decline and...
Starbird Names Stefanie Lee CFO
Starbird, the San Francisco‑based chicken chain, appointed Stefanie Lee as chief financial officer, bringing over 18 years of franchise finance experience. Lee previously served as CFO of TITLE Boxing Club and held senior finance roles at Dine Brands Global, Krispy Kreme, and...
Huey Magoo’s Adds a New Prototype to Support National Growth
Huey Magoo’s is rolling out a new 1,850‑sq‑ft freestanding drive‑thru prototype that slashes ground‑up development costs by roughly 40% and fits on parcels as small as half an acre. The design maintains seating for 55 guests—37 indoors and 18 on...
Chipotle Plans Back-to-Back Giveaways
Chipotle is intensifying its 2026 marketing calendar with two back‑to‑back giveaways. Starting May 5, digital orders using code CINCO26 will receive free chips paired with Queso Blanco or guacamole for Cinco de Mayo. From May 4‑12, the chain will distribute up to $2 million in free...
Ryan Slemons Named Chief Development Officer for Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen announced that Ryan Slemons will become its chief development officer on May 4, overseeing real estate, design, construction, facilities and portfolio management. Slemons arrives with two decades of development experience, most recently as chief development officer at Unleashed Brands and...
Taco Bell and KFC Generating Returns From New Concept Tests
Yum Brands is accelerating menu innovation for Taco Bell and KFC, focusing on sauces and specialty beverages to capture the “choice therapy” trend. KFC’s Saucy concept, featuring 11 signature sauces, has grown to about 10 Florida locations and is slated...
The Cheesecake Factory Surprises with Strong First Quarter
The Cheesecake Factory reported a stronger-than-expected first quarter, with same‑store sales up 1.6% year‑over‑year, surpassing its 1% forecast. Total company revenue rose over 5% to $978.8 million, and the chain projects Q2 revenue of $990 million to $1 billion. While overall traffic slipped...
Subway, McDonald’s Beverages and Chipotle
Subway has launched its first value menu, offering 15 items priced at $5 or less, including new Spicy Pepperoni and Ham & Salami subs and a $3.99 Protein Pocket. McDonald’s is adding six specialty drinks—three fruit refreshers and three crafted sodas—to its...
Wingstop’s Q1 Hammered by Weather, Consumer Pressures
Wingstop reported an 8.7% drop in domestic same‑store sales for Q1, marking the seventh straight quarter of declining comps. Revenue grew 7% thanks to a 97‑restaurant net expansion, but missed analyst forecasts, prompting a revision to a low‑single‑digit decline in...
How Restaurant Brands Can Thrive in Uncertain Times
Restaurant operators facing economic uncertainty can boost resilience by simplifying menus, leveraging data‑driven technology, and tightening operational execution. Streamlined offerings reduce kitchen friction, improve speed of service and lift margins, as shown by Pollo Tropical’s 15‑second service gain. Advanced analytics...
Why Domino’s Is Adjusting Its Menu and Marketing Calendar
Domino's reported a modest 0.9% rise in domestic same‑store sales for Q1, missing analyst forecasts, yet CEO Russell Weiner outlined a plan to hit a 3% full‑year growth target. The strategy hinges on capturing market share from competitors closing stores and...
Ryan Lulow Named Mountain Mike’s CFO
Mountain Mike’s appointed Ryan Lulow as its chief financial officer, elevating him from vice president of finance after a decade with the brand. Lulow will steer franchisee profitability, refine promotional and loyalty programs, and hunt for supply‑chain cost savings while...
Papa Johns Launches an AI Assistant to Help with Group Orders
Papa John’s has launched Lou AI, an artificial‑intelligence‑powered pizza assistant built on Google Cloud’s Food Ordering agent. The tool lets users describe a group’s size and preferences, then automatically curates a menu mix that accommodates picky eaters and varying tastes. Lou AI...
Domino’s, Jack in the Box and Fast-Casual Chain Sales
Domino’s reported a modest 0.9% rise in same‑store sales for Q1, but the miss on expectations knocked its share price down nearly 10%. The chain blamed weather, weaker consumer sentiment and a crowded promotional landscape, while CEO Russell Weiner argued that...
Chipotle Taps Industry Vet Fernando Machado as Chief Brand Officer
Chipotle Mexican Grill announced Fernando Machado as its chief brand officer, effective June 1. Machado, a former CMO of Restaurant Brands International and Activision Blizzard, is known for high‑profile campaigns like the Moldy Whopper. He succeeds Chris Brandt and will lead global...
In a Heavy Value Environment, Loyalty Is Harder to Come By
New Tillster data shows 45% of U.S. diners changed their favorite restaurant in the last year, a sharp rise from one‑third in 2025. Despite a surge in loyalty‑program participation—71% of consumers report using them—overall diner loyalty is slipping as inflation...
How Yum Brands Executives Work Together on Value
Yum Brands leveraged Taco Bell’s proven value‑pricing playbook to help fast‑casual chain Habit Burger & Grill design a $6, $8 and $10 value menu. The collaboration, facilitated through Yum’s in‑house Collider platform, also inspired KFC’s $7‑$11 Box Feasts and $5 bowls. Taco...
After a Popular Residency, Kevin Finch’s Arthur Now Has a Permanent Home in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Chef Kevin Finch and his wife Alexa have turned their popular pop‑up, Arthur, into a permanent 38‑seat restaurant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, opening on April 10. The venue draws on modern Parisian bistro aesthetics while showcasing seasonal Northeastern ingredients. Finch brings...
The Top 500 Fast-Casual Restaurant Chains that Won in 2025
Fast‑casual restaurant chains generated $77 billion in sales in 2025, a 6% increase that marked a slowdown from the sector’s 9% average growth over the prior three years. Unit growth accelerated to 5.1%, outpacing the broader limited‑service segment’s 1.6% rise. Shake...
How Restaurant Traffic Will Trend This Mother’s Day
Restaurant traffic on Mother’s Day surged 12% year‑over‑year in 2025, making it the busiest dining day of the year, according to OpenTable. The National Restaurant Association projects 80 million Americans will eat out on May 10, 2026, up from 75 million in 2025. Brunch...
Labor Department Proposes New Joint Employer Rule
The U.S. Department of Labor has issued a proposed rule that creates a national standard for determining joint‑employer status under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act. The rule...
McDonald’s Wants You to Know It Has Protein on the Menu
McDonald’s is highlighting protein on its existing menu, adding callouts for 17 items such as the 30‑gram McCrispy Strips and the 22‑gram McDouble. The push taps into a surge in consumer interest driven by health trends, GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs, and...
Making a Menu that Works Hard to Boost Profitability
At the Restaurant Leadership Conference, CMOs from WOWorks, Paris Baguette and Sonny’s BBQ shared menu strategies to boost profitability. They emphasized simplifying items, cross‑utilizing ingredients, and creating value through experience and speed. Limited‑time protein plates proved demand‑driven pricing works, while...
Rethinking Fast-Casual Growth in the Age of Instant Gratification
Fast‑casual chains are abandoning the old playbook of prime foot‑traffic locations and sprawling menus in favor of speed, digital convenience, and consumer‑first real‑estate. Edible Brands illustrates the shift by integrating order‑ahead tech, simplifying operations, and expanding into nontraditional sites such...
Restaurants Brace for the Impact of High Gas Prices
Restaurant executives warned that surging gasoline prices could erode consumer spending, with the National Restaurant Association estimating an additional $125 billion in fuel costs for Americans this year. While the industry’s $1.6 trillion sales base remains robust, chains like KFC and Panda...
The Trends Shaping Restaurants in 2026
Technomic warned that restaurants face a volatile 2026 landscape, with traffic down 0.8% in 2025 and only modest gains early this year before a March slowdown tied to the Iran‑related gas price surge. New USDA dietary guidelines are shifting menus...
How the Different Generations Interact with Restaurants
A panel at the Restaurant Leadership Conference compared food preferences, app usage, and dining habits across Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z. While burgers and nachos emerged as cross‑generational favorites, notable differences appeared in frequency of dining out, health versus...