Jacksonville McDonald's Distribution Center Sells for $66.9M
VanTrust Real Estate sold a newly completed 153,000‑square‑foot McDonald’s distribution center in Jacksonville for $66.9 million, topping its $60 million construction cost. The rail‑served warehouse, located in Westlake Industrial Park, handles over 160 carloads annually and supports 109 new jobs. Public funding of $1.5 million helped launch the facility, which supplies more than 650 McDonald’s restaurants across five states. The deal highlights strong investor demand for logistics‑focused industrial assets.
Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken Franchisee Plans 6 More Units in South Carolina
Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken franchisee Harris Mullis announced plans to open six additional units across South Carolina, expanding the brand’s footprint in the state. Mullis, who revived the Rock Hill restaurant in 2010, has been recognized as an Operator of...
Papa Johns Launches Oven-Toasted Sandwiches
Papa Johns has introduced a new line of oven‑toasted sandwiches built on ciabatta‑style bread, debuting three varieties—Philly Cheesesteak, Chicken Bacon Ranch, and Steak & Mushroom. Each sandwich retails for $7.99, with a reduced price of $6.99 when customers pair two...
Wendy's Updates Spicy Chicken Sandwich with New Recipe, Panko Breading
Wendy's has refreshed its Spicy Chicken Sandwich, swapping the classic coating for a panko‑style breading infused with nine spices and a new Southern‑inspired mayonnaise. The sandwich now arrives on a toasted potato bun, and the same upgrades extend to the...
Taco Bell Lets Fans Vote on Its First Global Taco Offering
Taco Bell is launching its first Global Taco Vote, letting U.S. Rewards members choose between a Thai‑inspired Kickin' Chicken Taco and an Indian Butter Chicken Taco for a limited‑time rollout later this year. Voting runs daily from March 26 through April 1...
Report: Restaurant Brands Increase Tech Spending Despite Margin Pressures
Restaurant operators are boosting technology and AI budgets despite shrinking margins, with 48% of brands planning higher tech spend in 2026. Guest traffic is falling for 57% of operators and 67% of quick‑service restaurants, prompting a focus on order‑flow efficiency....
Wendy’s Named Official Dunks of NCAA March Madness: Launches National Promotion
Wendy's has been named the Official Dunks of the NCAA March Madness, launching a two‑phase Dunks Menu and a sweepstakes called Dunkstakes. The menu pairs classic Frosty desserts with Hot & Crispy Fries, later adding nuggets or Tendys for dunking....
Pizza Hut Canada Launches Hockey Podcast
Pizza Hut Canada has introduced a short‑form podcast called Bandwagon Hockey Coach, featuring two AI hosts that explain hockey rules and terminology. The series debuted on Spotify on March 18 and releases twice‑weekly episodes aimed at casual fans during the NHL...
