National Restaurant Association CEO: ‘Cautious Optimism’ for Growth in 2026
The National Restaurant Association’s 2026 State of the Industry report shows 2025 delivered only 1% sales growth after inflation, with 42% of restaurants operating at a loss and food and labor costs soaring 38% and 35% respectively since 2019. Despite these challenges, President and CEO Michelle Korsmo expressed cautious optimism for 2026, citing the sector’s resilience and potential gains from operational efficiencies and technology. She highlighted three legislative priorities—immigration reform, the Credit Card Competition Act, and the USMCA—to support workforce and cost pressures. The outlook hinges on adapting to labor shortages and leveraging tech to improve margins.
Outback Steakhouse, Noodles & Company, CAVA
Outback Steakhouse recorded a 0.9% traffic increase in Q4, its first rise in four years, driven by the popular Aussie 3‑Course value meals, though same‑store sales slipped 0.6% because of lower pricing. The chain will allocate $50 million toward further restaurant...
Burger King Has Upgraded Its Signature Whopper
Burger King announced its first Whopper reformulation in nearly ten years, driven by guest feedback. The new version keeps the quarter‑pound flame‑grilled beef but adds a premium bun, upgraded mayo, and serves the sandwich in a heat‑retaining box, while eliminating...
Kelli Valade’s Career Comes Full Circle
Kelli Valade, a veteran of Chili’s, Red Lobster and Denny’s, was named chief executive officer of the Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) in January 2026, shortly after leading Denny’s through a $620 million private‑equity deal. Valade brings deep operational, HR and leadership...
Zaxbys Launches a Dry Rub Lineup
Zaxby’s has turned its experimental dry‑rub flavors into a permanent menu offering, debuting garlic parmesan, Nashville Hot and lemon pepper rubs. The rubs can be applied to Chicken Fingerz, wings, fries or bundled in meal combos, expanding the chain’s flavor...
IHOP Goes Analog to Celebrate National Pancake Day
IHOP announced its first National Pancake Day on March 3, offering a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes at participating locations from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The event includes an in‑person appearance by social‑media influencer Mr. Fantasy at the Hollywood restaurant. IHOP...
Texas Roadhouse, Tariffs, Del Taco
Texas Roadhouse posted a 4.2% same‑store sales increase in Q4 2025, driven by a 1.9% traffic rise, and delivered a 4.9% full‑year sales gain despite a three‑point margin dip from soaring beef costs. The chain plans a modest 1.9% menu...
KFC Is Piloting Two Value Platforms
KFC is testing two distinct value platforms in Ohio and Florida from late February through March, offering flat‑rate bundles at $8 and $10 respectively. The Ohio market provides an everyday all‑day menu with choices of tenders, wings or nuggets, while...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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....
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...