Burger King to Launch Limited-Time Menu Inspired by Upcoming Star Wars Movie
Burger King is rolling out a limited‑time Star Wars menu on May 4 to coincide with the theatrical debut of *Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu* on May 22. The lineup includes a BBQ Bounty Whopper, Grogu’s Blue Cookie Shake, garlic chicken fries and Imperial Cheddar Ranch tots, all packaged in film‑themed containers. Customers who buy the full “Bounty Bundle” receive one of four collectible cups, while a new King Jr. Meal with a Mandalorian toy launches on April 28. The promotion leverages Burger King’s 19,000‑plus U.S. locations to tap into the franchise’s multigenerational fan base.
Yum Brands Takes Flight in Q1 as KFC Fuels Global Ascent
Yum Brands posted a strong Q1 2026, with system sales up 6% and unit growth of 5%. KFC drove most of the momentum, expanding internationally and scaling its Saucy by KFC concept across eight of its top 20 markets. Taco Bell delivered...
McDonald’s Highlights High-Protein Menu Options to Meet Customer Demand
McDonald’s is promoting its high‑protein menu items as 64% of customers seek balanced meals. The chain now highlights more than 30 offerings that deliver at least 15 grams of protein, including the Egg McMuffin, 10‑piece Chicken McNuggets and the McDouble. The company also...
Domino's Profits Fall as Consumers Curb Spending Based on Rising Costs
Domino's Pizza reported first‑quarter net income of $139.8 million, a 6.6% decline from a year earlier, largely due to a $30 million valuation loss on its Chinese master franchisee. Despite the profit dip, total revenue rose 3.5% to $1.15 billion, helped by higher...
Cinnabon to Release Harry Potter-Inspired Butterbeer Treats for Limited Time
Cinnabon, a GoTo Foods brand, is teaming with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to launch two Harry Potter‑inspired Butterbeer menu items—a Classic Roll and a Chillatta—available May 4‑17. The treats will be sold in special packaging at Cinnabon and Schlotzsky’s Deli locations...
Loyalty Transactions Surge 28% as QSR Habits Shift; Kiosks Rising in Popularity
PAR Technology’s 2026 Quick Service Restaurant Operational Index shows loyalty program members now out‑spend anonymous guests, with loyalty transactions rising 28.5% year‑over‑year. Digital kiosks are the fastest‑growing ordering channel, up 35% YoY, while delivery continues to command premium check sizes,...
White Castle to Expand Slider Reach with 1K Automated Kiosks
White Castle is rolling out 1,000 "Crave & Go" automated kiosks in partnership with Automated Retail Technologies. The kiosks, powered by ART’s Just Baked platform, will appear in hospitals, corporate campuses, transit hubs and other high‑traffic sites where the chain has no...
7 Strategies for Creating High-Performing Culture, Building a Winning Team
Jim Knight, founder of Knight Speaker, outlines seven intentional strategies to build a high‑performing culture, from defining purpose to continuous improvement. He illustrates each tactic with real‑world examples such as Patagonia’s mission focus, Zingerman’s communication training, Atlassian’s autonomy‑driven "ShipIt Days,"...
Qu Introduces Edge-Based AI Platform to Combat Rising Restaurant Costs
Qu unveiled its Intelligent Commerce Platform, an edge‑based AI solution aimed at reducing cloud‑related expenses for quick‑service and fast‑casual restaurants. The system offers production forecasting, AI‑driven ordering, computer‑vision monitoring, and equipment analytics. Early adopters reported a 29% boost in drive‑thru...
White Castle to Bring Restaurant to St. Augustine, Florida
White Castle announced plans for its first Northeast Florida restaurant in St. Augustine, marking the brand's entry into the region. The 2,764‑square‑foot “neighborhood” prototype will feature a 270‑square‑foot patio and two drive‑thru lanes that deliver orders directly to vehicles. This...
Why Small Businesses Treat Loyalty Like a Luxury — and Why That’s Killing Them
Small QSR operators often treat loyalty programs as a side project, yet PAR Technology’s 2025 QSR Operational Index shows loyalty‑driven visits rose 30.8% in 2024 while non‑loyalty visits fell 5.3%. Staffing shortages and day‑to‑day pressures push retention off the agenda,...
Graeter’s Ice Cream Partners with Churchill Downs for Kentucky Derby LTO Flavor
Graeter's Ice Cream has introduced a limited‑edition Backstretch Bourbon Cherry flavor in partnership with Churchill Downs, positioning it as the official ice‑cream of the Kentucky Derby. The bourbon‑infused, cherry‑and‑praline blend is available in Graeter's scoop shops, online, and at select...
Golden Chick Secures Exclusive Branding Rights on Crew Gear in Texas Rangers Extension
Golden Chick is expanding its partnership with the Texas Rangers by securing exclusive rights to display the 2026 City Connect primary logo on its employee uniforms. The agreement, part of a five‑year extension, makes Golden Chick the only sponsor featuring...
HTeaO Reports Q1 Growth with New Stores in 4 States, Leadership Hires
HTeaO reported a robust first quarter, opening seven new stores in Texas, Florida, Oklahoma and Tennessee, bringing its total footprint to 150 locations. The franchise also announced three senior‑level hires, including CFO Chris Phillips, VP of store development Jerry McClain...
Flavor Sheriffs Wanted: Carl’s Jr. To Trade Free Sandwiches for Photos of Bland Food
Carl’s Jr. is rolling out a limited‑time promotion from April 14 through April 30, rewarding customers with a free Western Bacon Chicken Sandwich for uploading a receipt or photo of a bland competitor chicken sandwich via its mobile app. The new sandwich boasts...
Wetzel's Pretzels Opens in California Walmart
Wetzel's Pretzels launched its first bakery inside a Walmart in Porter Ranch, California, marking the brand’s latest foray into high‑traffic retail locations. The store‑within‑a‑store concept is operated by Chris Izaguirre, who opened his inaugural Wetzel’s site after six years with the...
Dunkin' To Leave India After 14 Years
Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd. will terminate its franchise agreement with U.S. coffee‑and‑doughnut chain Dunkin' when the contract expires on Dec. 31, 2026. The exit follows a prolonged struggle to gain market traction, with Dunkin' accounting for just 0.61% of Jubilant’s total revenue and...
Hungry Howie's Offers National Pet Day Secret Menu
Hungry Howie's has teamed with pet‑treat brand Happy Howie's to launch a limited‑time secret menu for National Pet Day, beginning April 11. The menu features three online‑only combos—Pup & Roll, Bone Appétit Pack Party, and Bark‑Back Add‑On—pairing pizza or rolls with...
Domino’s Debuts Slice Sauce with Exclusive Shinola Merchandise Access
Domino’s Pizza has introduced a new creamy dip called Slice Sauce, paired with a limited‑time partnership with Michigan‑based Shinola. Customers who order a Handmade Pan or Parmesan Stuffed Crust pizza online between May 7 and June 14 receive a password to shop...
KFC Drops Its 1st Single ‘Finger Lickin' Machine'
KFC has launched its first musical single, “Finger Lickin' Machine,” marking a shift from traditional jingles to a full‑length track. The song supports the rollout of the new Box Feasts, priced at $7, $9 and $11, under the Value Feast...
Del Taco Leans Into 90s Nostalgia with Return of Big Fat Tacos, Del Flipz
Del Taco is re‑introducing its 1990s‑era Big Fat Taco on buttery flatbread, accompanied by a retro collectible called Del Flipz. The limited‑time menu features five taco varieties, two breakfast options, and additional nostalgic treats like Dragon Fruit Blueberry Poppers and Mini...
Jack in the Box Launches Slider Meal, $75K Giveaway for Anniversary
Jack in the Box introduced the Smashed Jack Sliders Munchie Meal to celebrate its 75th anniversary, offering three mini‑sliders, tacos, curly fries, a drink and a collectible cup. Each cup contains a pin that enters customers into a $75,000 sweepstakes,...
How Flying Dolly’s Is Cooling Down the Gulf Coast
Flying Dolly’s, a boutique creamery founded in 2011 in Mandeville, Louisiana, blends artisanal ice cream with New Orleans‑style snoballs. The company now operates five stores and a snoball stand, and has been franchising for six years, aiming for ten Gulf‑Coast locations...
Arby's Intros French Dip Royale LTO
Arby’s has launched the French Dip Royale, a limited‑time sandwich available nationwide through May 25. The sandwich layers three‑hour roasted beef, melted provolone, caramelized onions, garlic aioli and steak seasoning on an artisan sub roll, served with au jus. Priced from $7.49,...
McDonald's Adds Under $3 Menu, $4 Breakfast Meal Starting April 21
McDonald’s is rolling out a new McValue tier on April 21, adding an under‑$3 menu and a $4 breakfast meal at participating U.S. locations. The under‑$3 lineup features items such as Sausage McMuffin, McChicken, four‑piece nuggets, small fries and medium drinks, while...
White Castle Debuts Chicken Fajita Slider; Jalapeño Cravioli Side
White Castle is rolling out a Chicken Fajita Slider on April 6, priced between $2.59 and $2.99, and a Jalapeño Cravioli side priced at $1.99 for five pieces or $4.99 for a 14‑piece sack. Both items are limited‑time offers, available...
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...
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...