Recent Posts
News•Feb 28, 2026
It's Time for Banh Mi to Go National, Says This Vietnamese Sandwich Pioneer
Vietnamese sandwich pioneer Bun Mee, founded in San Francisco in 2011, operates five Bay Area locations. The brand is launching its first New York City outlet through a franchisee, marking its inaugural entry into the East Coast market. This move reflects the chain’s strategy to scale its fast‑casual banh mi concept nationally. The expansion arrives amid rising consumer appetite for authentic Asian street food.
By Restaurant Business
News•Feb 27, 2026
How the Restaurant Industry Fared in the State of the Union Address
President Trump’s State of the Union offered little concrete relief for restaurants, focusing instead on broader political themes. Washington state introduced the “Golden Oldie” proposal, a per‑employee head tax aimed at funding health initiatives. Minneapolis reported calmer streets and a...
By Restaurant Business
News•Feb 27, 2026
Burger King's Store-Level Profitability Runs Into a Beef Cost Wall
Burger King has been steadily boosting store‑level profitability, posting double‑digit earnings growth across its U.S. locations. However, a sharp rise in beef prices—up roughly 35% since early 2025—has begun to erode those gains. The chain responded with modest menu price...
By Restaurant Business
News•Feb 27, 2026
Fat Brands Says that Bond Investors Knew What They Were Getting Into
Fat Brands, the parent of Fazoli's and 15 other restaurant chains, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2024. Lenders have pushed for a court‑appointed trustee, alleging CEO Andy Wiederhorn misused company funds for personal loans, bonuses, and an unauthorized stock...
By Restaurant Business
News•Feb 27, 2026
Want More Sales? Just Add Cheese
Applebee’s reported a notable sales boost after launching a cheese‑laden burger, highlighted on the Restaurant Business podcast. The episode also examined Burger King’s Whopper enhancements and its rollout of AI tools to streamline operations. Meanwhile, major pizza chains continue to...
By Restaurant Business
News•Feb 27, 2026
The Beverage Boom Is Transforming the Soda Fountain
Restaurants are responding to a surge in specialty beverage demand by partnering with equipment manufacturers to replace legacy soda fountains with advanced, high‑tech drink dispensers. The new machines integrate IoT connectivity, real‑time analytics, and modular ingredient cartridges, allowing on‑the‑fly customization....
By Restaurant Business
News•Feb 27, 2026
At This Southern California Car Dealership, You Can Get a Patty Melt with Your Porsche
Galpin Motors, one of Southern California’s largest auto groups, has turned its dealerships into culinary destinations by operating full‑service restaurants such as the Horseless Carriage diner and the Porsche‑themed Boxenstopp. The Horseless Carriage alone pulls in about $3.2 million in annual...
By Restaurant Business
News•Feb 27, 2026
James Beard Foundation Honors 6 Longtime Restaurants with 2026 America's Classics Award
Six long‑standing, family‑owned restaurants across the United States have been named the 2026 James Beard America’s Classics. The honorees include The Serving Spoon in California, Oyster House in Philadelphia, Johnny’s Café in Omaha, Eng’s in Kingston, Figaretti’s Italian Restaurant in...
By Restaurant Business
Video•Feb 25, 2026
Five Guys Is Making some Changes
Five Guys is entering a new phase of growth, celebrating its 40th anniversary while rolling out a catering service through EasyCater and its own digital ordering platforms. The chain’s chief marketing officer, Molly Catalano, explained that the catering model packages...
By Restaurant Business
Video•Feb 24, 2026
Danny Lledó Shares the Nuances of Paella
The episode of Menu Talk features chef‑owner Danny Yedot of Washington, D.C.’s Chiquette and its sister venue Taller de Chiquette, both rooted in Valencian culinary tradition rather than generic Spanish fare. Yedot explains that paella’s rice, especially the short‑grain bomba, is...
By Restaurant Business
News•Feb 24, 2026
McDonald's Is Bringing Its Big Arch Burger to the U.S.
McDonald’s will roll out its half‑pound Big Arch burger in the United States on March 3 as a limited‑time offering. The sandwich, already a permanent menu item in the UK and sold in France and Canada, layers two quarter‑pound patties, white cheddar,...
By Restaurant Business
News•Feb 24, 2026
Portillo's Is Still Learning What Not to Do From Texas
Portillo’s reported a 3.3% decline in fourth‑quarter same‑store sales and a 0.5% drop for the full year, driven largely by weak transaction growth in Texas. The chain announced new CEO Brett Patterson, succeeding interim CEO Mike Miles, who highlighted that...
By Restaurant Business
News•Feb 24, 2026
Reservation Services Resy and Tock Are Merging
American Express is consolidating its two reservation platforms, Resy and Tock, into a single service under the Resy brand this summer. The merger will double Resy's inventory to over 25,000 restaurants and wineries, adding Tock’s tiered experiences and prepaid booking...
By Restaurant Business
News•Feb 24, 2026
After Solid Year, First Watch Approaches 2026 with Caution
First Watch posted a solid 2025, achieving 3.6% same‑store sales growth and opening a record 64 restaurants despite a modest traffic dip. The chain projects 2026 same‑store sales growth of 1%‑3% and will temper expansion to 59‑63 new sites while closing...
By Restaurant Business
News•Feb 24, 2026
Sweetgreen Explores a New Menu Platform: Wraps
Sweetgreen is piloting three chicken‑based wraps—Classic Chicken Caesar, Chicken Jalapeño Ranch, and Chicken Salad Bacon Club—across New York, the Midwest and select Los Angeles locations. Each wrap contains over 40 grams of protein and is priced between $10.95 and under $15, positioning it...
By Restaurant Business
Deals•Feb 24, 2026
Resy and Tock Merge Under American Express to Form Reservations Superpower
American Express announced that its two reservation platforms, Resy and Tock, will merge into a single service under the Resy brand this summer, doubling the inventory to over 25,000 venues. The merger will see Tock’s website and app go dark...
Restaurant Business