The Year of Redefining Indian Food in America
Mom‑and‑pop curry houses are giving way to a new generation of Indian restaurants that blend regional flavors with contemporary concepts. 2026 is poised to become a breakout year as upscale, tech‑savvy South Asian brands attract affluent diners. Investors are increasingly funding these concepts, while franchising models promise rapid national expansion. Plant‑based menu innovations are further reshaping the Indian dining landscape in the United States.
Just How Much Cheaper Is McDonald’s Under $3 Menu?
McDonald’s launched an Under $3 Menu on April 21, featuring items like the McDouble and Sausage McMuffin at promotional prices. Introductory pricing cuts the McDouble to $2.50 (24% below the $3.30 national average) and the Sausage McMuffin to $1.50 (42% below its $2.58...
Multi-Brand Thompson Restaurants to Add Franchising to the Mix
Thompson Restaurants, a 33‑year‑old family‑owned operator with nearly 70 locations across 15 brands, announced it will begin franchising its value‑positioned Wiseguy Pizza concept. The eight‑unit chain generates $1,300‑$1,400 revenue per square foot and a flagship D.C. store pulls $4.5 million in...
The Big Problem with Red Lobster
The latest episode of Restaurant Business’s "The Week in Restaurants" podcast spotlights Red Lobster’s lingering struggles despite emerging from bankruptcy. Hosts discuss weak brand perception, an outdated menu, and cost pressures that continue to hamper growth. The conversation also touches...
Why Sysco Could Ultimately Regret the Restaurant Depot Deal
Sysco announced the purchase of Restaurant Depot, a cash‑and‑carry wholesaler, aiming to broaden its service model beyond traditional food‑service distribution. The deal mirrors US Foods' 2020 foray into cash‑and‑carry, which it now plans to sell after four years. Analysts warn...
Taco Bell's Butter Chicken Taco Is Coming to the U.S.
Taco Bell announced that its India‑inspired Butter Chicken Taco will debut in the United States as a limited‑time offering later this year. The taco captured nearly 65% of votes in the brand’s Global Taco Vote, beating Thailand’s Kickin’ Chicken Taco....
California City Presses Pause on Food Delivery Robots
Glendale, California city council approved a 3-2 vote to impose a moratorium on food‑delivery robots, halting operations for companies like Serve Robotics. The pause aims to give officials time to develop a regulatory framework, as the city currently lacks ordinances...
How One Restaurant Tackles the Pay Gap Between Front- and Back-of-House Workers
Lita, a 70‑seat Spanish‑Portuguese restaurant in New Jersey, has built a chef‑only staff model that rotates employees between kitchen and front‑of‑house duties. Workers earn a $17 hourly base wage during back‑of‑house weeks and the tipped minimum plus pooled tips during...
How the Sysco-Restaurant Depot Deal Will Affect Operators
Cisco Systems announced a $29 billion proposal to acquire Restaurant Depot, the nation’s largest cash‑and‑carry foodservice distributor, sparking a deep‑dive discussion on how the merger will reshape supply chains for restaurant operators. Analysts highlight that the combined entity would capture roughly 20 %...
McDonald's Under $3 Menu Will Make Its Debut Later This Month
McDonald’s announced an Under $3 Menu that will roll out on April 21, featuring items such as a $1.50 Sausage McMuffin and a $2.50 McDouble. The promotion is part of the broader McValue initiative and replaces the previous buy‑one‑get‑one for $1...
Plant-Based Clover Food Lab Warns of Entire Chain Closure
Clover Food Lab, an 11‑unit plant‑based chain based in Cambridge, has filed a WARN notice indicating that 182 employees could be laid off by the end of May unless a buyer is found. The company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in...
Starbucks Is Adding New Incentives for Its Baristas
Starbucks announced a new incentive program allowing baristas to earn quarterly bonuses up to $300, potentially adding $1,200 to annual earnings. The plan also expands tipping to card and mobile channels and shifts payroll to weekly disbursements. Additional leadership roles,...
How the Sysco-Restaurant Depot Deal Will Affect Operators
Sysco announced a pending acquisition of Restaurant Depot, a bulk‑food retailer, sparking debate among industry stakeholders. Technomic’s distribution expert David Henkes discussed the deal on the A Deeper Dive podcast, highlighting potential FTC scrutiny and opposition from independent operators. The...
How US Foods Keeps Its Finger on the Pulse of Independent Restaurants
US Foods introduced 19 exclusive items in its Spring 2026 Scoop, targeting independent restaurants that prioritize product consistency and transparency. Highlights include the Monarch CrispGuard Garlic Parmesan Ranch Coating, which keeps fried foods crisp up to 45 minutes, and a ready‑to‑serve...
Red Lobster's Comeback Has yet to Materialize
Red Lobster reported a decline in sales for 2025, continuing the downward trend that contributed to its 2023 bankruptcy filing. Same‑store traffic fell roughly 3% as higher fuel prices and shifting consumer preferences squeezed discretionary dining. The chain’s current owners...
Culver's Shows No Signs of Slowing Down
Culver's reported another strong year, with average‑unit volumes climbing more than 9% and the chain now operating over 1,000 restaurants nationwide. The growth figures come from recent franchise disclosure documents and highlight the brand’s resilience amid broader industry headwinds such...
Shake Shack Unveils Tech Strategy to Support Its Ambitious Growth
Shake Shack announced Project Catalyst, a technology overhaul designed to support its goal of exceeding 1,500 U.S. restaurants by 2026. The initiative rolls out a cloud‑native POS and kitchen‑display system from the Qu platform, adds edge‑computing via Qube, and embeds...
Here Are the 2026 James Beard Award Chef and Restaurateur Finalists
The James Beard Foundation unveiled its 2026 chef and restaurateur finalists, with Los Angeles emerging as a dominant force. Nancy Silverton was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, while Othón Nolasko and Damián Diaz received Humanitarian of the Year for their...
A Group of Independent Restaurants Wants the FTC to Block Sysco-Restaurant Depot Deal
The Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC) has asked the FTC to block Sysco’s $29.1 billion cash‑and‑stock acquisition of Jetro Restaurant Depot. The coalition argues the deal would eliminate the only large cash‑and‑carry wholesale option that independent eateries rely on to avoid minimum...
Coming Soon to Dave & Buster's: More Exciting Games
Dave & Buster’s disclosed that it has not added new arcade titles since before the pandemic, contributing to a 3.3% same‑store sales decline in Q4 despite a 7% rise in food and beverage revenue. CEO Tarun Lal pledged to introduce...
New Ovens Elevate Freshii's Menu and Lift Sales
Freshii has installed high‑heat ovens that let kitchens roast proteins and vegetables instead of steaming them, delivering richer flavors in bowls, salads and wraps. The equipment upgrade launched across its U.S. locations in early 2026 and immediately boosted menu appeal....
Why Lion's Choice Won't Compromise on Its Signature Sandwich Despite Higher Beef Costs
Lion's Choice CEO Fred Bruner explained on the Menu Talk podcast why the chain will not compromise its signature roast‑beef sandwich even as beef prices soar. The company, which operates 24 locations in the St. Louis area, has absorbed most of the...
The Making of a Drive-Thru Record
Almost a quarter‑century ago, a McDonald’s in Cheyenne, Wyoming, set a drive‑thru benchmark by serving more than 400 cars in a single hour. The feat was achieved through relentless process obsession and a suite of emerging technologies that streamlined order...
A Potential Beef Blockage Is Looming
A possible work stoppage at the JB Swift beef processing plant in Greeley, Colorado could create a significant supply‑chain blockage for U.S. beef. The disruption was discussed on the Working Lunch podcast, where Align Public Strategies’ Joe Kefauver and Franklin...
Sysco Makes a Huge Play for More Local Restaurants
Sysco announced a $29 billion cash‑and‑stock acquisition of Jetro Restaurant Depot, adding a network that serves roughly 725,000 local restaurants. The deal gives Sysco a foothold in the cash‑and‑carry segment, which it currently does not participate in, and is expected to...
Firehouse Subs Sweetens Franchise Incentives
Firehouse Subs has rolled out an expanded Development Incentive Program through 2028, offering $75,000 for opening a single restaurant and $100,000 for two or more. New tiers such as the 10‑in‑2, Grow A‑Gain and Accelerated Market incentives add bonuses up to...
DoorDash Invests in EV Startup with Plans to Automate More Deliveries
DoorDash is investing in Also’s $200 million Series C round and launching a multi‑year partnership to develop autonomous electric‑vehicle delivery units. The collaboration builds on DoorDash’s earlier Dot robot rollout and aims to create purpose‑built, small EVs that can navigate bike lanes...
Why Lion's Choice Won't Compromise on Its Signature Sandwich Despite Higher Beef Costs
Lion’s Choice, the St. Louis quick‑service chain famed for its roast‑beef sandwich, is refusing to alter its signature product despite a sharp rise in beef prices. CEO Fred Burmer explains that the company has introduced operational efficiencies and modest price adjustments...
Chicken Takes over Menus as the Protein of Choice
Amid rising beef costs and strong consumer demand for protein, chicken has become the focal point of new menu offerings across fast‑food and fast‑casual chains. Wendy’s debuted a revamped Spicy Chicken Sandwich featuring a marinated, panko‑breaded breast on a sweet...
Recent Restaurant Deals Show Where the Industry Is Headed
This week’s restaurant finance briefing highlights recent equity deals for Nothing Bundt Cakes and Dave’s Hot Chicken, signaling a growing investor appetite for niche bakery and fast‑casual concepts. The coverage also notes that rising fuel costs are squeezing full‑service operators,...
Sushi by Bou Wants to Bring Omakase to the People
Sushi by Bou, a sub‑$100 multi‑course omakase concept, is positioning itself as a hotel amenity that can fit into luggage closets, emphasizing a speakeasy vibe. The brand is part of Thompson Restaurants’ multi‑brand portfolio, which plans to introduce franchising to...
Burger King Is Having a Moment
Burger King is experiencing a notable upswing after years of uneven performance. The chain has poured capital into refranchising, operational efficiencies, and high‑impact marketing, culminating in a viral moment featuring its president that amplified brand awareness. Meanwhile, industry peers such...
IHOP Expands Its Signature Omelette Platform and Recharges Coffee Program
IHOP is rolling out a Bold BBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed ‘N Stacked Omelette, a new sustainable medium‑roast coffee, an iced coffee lineup, and a BLT on its $6 Everyday Value Menu. The omelette mixes pancake batter into the eggs and...
Wendy's Plans a Better Menu, Starting with Its Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Wendy’s unveiled upgraded Classic and Spicy Chicken Sandwiches featuring a new nine‑spice panko coating, sweet‑potato bun and mayo. The rollout is part of a broader menu overhaul aimed at reversing an 11.3% same‑store sales decline that hit the chain in...
Sysco to Acquire Restaurant Depot for $29.1B
Sysco announced a $29.1 billion cash‑and‑stock acquisition of Jetro Restaurant Depot, adding 166 cash‑and‑carry warehouses and access to roughly 725,000 independent restaurants. The deal values Restaurant Depot at a 14.6‑times EBITDA multiple, with shareholders receiving $21.6 billion in cash and 91.5 million Sysco...
Why Nothing Bundt Cakes Is Worth $2B
The podcast highlighted three major stories shaping the restaurant sector this week: Dutch Bros’ meteoric rise under new CEO Christine Veron, the landmark $2 billion acquisition of the franchise chain Nothing But Cakes by KKR, and Noodles & Company’s ongoing turnaround driven by...
How Rising Gas Prices Will Affect Restaurant Sales
The episode of Restaurant Business’s "A Deeper Dive" examines how the recent jump in gasoline prices—now averaging $4 per gallon—is reshaping restaurant traffic and profitability. Host Jonathan Mays talks with Technomic senior principal Rich Shank, who notes that while the...
Nicholas Poulmentis Plans Distinctive Greek Cuisine at His Upcoming New York City Restaurant
Chef Nicholas Poulmentis announced the June opening of his first solo New York City restaurant, Kira NP, in Soho’s historic former Café Noir space. The venue is named after his native Greek island, Kira, and aims to showcase the island’s...
Why Restaurants Should Watch Out for Fake News
Restaurants are increasingly vulnerable to fake news, which can damage brand reputation and drive consumer skepticism. The latest Restaurant Business podcast highlights this issue while also reviewing Darden's earnings, suggesting the chain remains resilient despite misinformation pressures. Analysts note that...
A Look at the Bankruptcy of Fat Brands
In this episode of Restaurant Business’ Deep Dive, editor‑in‑chief Jonathan Mays and Law360 bankruptcy reporter Hillary Russ dissect the Chapter 11 filing of Fat Brands, the franchisor behind Twin Peaks, Round Table Pizza, Johnny Rockets and other concepts. The discussion centers on a looming court...
Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley Is Exactly the Kind of Restaurant He Likes to Dine In
The Menu Talk podcast features Kevin Kelley, a former attorney turned founder of Kitchen + Cocktails, a full‑service restaurant brand that has expanded from a single Dallas location to seven cities—including Chicago, DC, Charlotte, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Miami—within just six...
This Taiwanese Restaurant Group Hopes to Build a National Chain in the U.S. Specializing in Elevated Thai Food
Taiwanese restaurant group TTFB launched its first U.S. concept, Very Thai, in Los Angeles’ Westfield Century City mall. The 5,000‑sq‑ft venue offers an elevated Thai menu, family‑style sharing plates and a bar with Thai‑infused cocktails, with average checks of $60‑$70. TTFB,...
McDonald's Tests the Limits of Value Pricing
McDonald’s is rolling out a new $3‑or‑less value menu, adding items like a four‑piece McNuggets and a $4 breakfast combo, marking its fourth price‑adjustment in two years. The chain says the strategy is boosting share among lower‑income diners and has...
El Pollo Loco Declares Itself Ready to Grow Again
El Pollo Loco reported a 2.1% same‑store sales increase and lifted restaurant margins to 17.5%, prompting a 16% share jump. The chain now operates 503 restaurants and plans to open 18‑20 new units in 2026, the fastest pace since 2019....
McDonald's Tests the Limits of Value Pricing
McDonald’s is piloting a new $3‑or‑less menu, marking its fourth value‑pricing experiment in two years. The fast‑food giant hopes the ultra‑low price tier will lure price‑sensitive diners still feeling inflation pressure. The test will run in select U.S. markets, with...
Some Struggling Kona Grill Locations to Be Rebranded
The One Group will rebrand five underperforming Kona Grill locations to its sister concepts Benihana or STK, part of a broader portfolio optimization after consecutive years of double‑digit same‑store sales declines. Conversions are slated to cost between $1 million and $1.5 million...
Sweetgreen Wants to Be a Lifestyle Brand Again
Sweetgreen’s CEO Jonathan Neman announced a strategic pivot back to lifestyle branding, moving away from purely conversion‑driven marketing after a 13% sales decline in 2025. The chain is resetting its media mix, hiring a new agency and leveraging influencers, events,...
Why Beef Costs Are Increasing so Much
Beef prices have surged, with major fast‑food chains reporting roughly a 20% increase in beef costs. The rise is driven by higher feed grain prices, spiking fuel costs, and constrained cattle inventories. Arrowstream’s senior commodities director David Maloni explains how...
Scott and Jacob Margroff Discuss Flavor and Innovation at Strickland’s
Strickland's, a family‑owned ice‑cream shop founded in Akron in 1936, has grown to five Ohio locations and recently added a franchised store in Costa Mesa, California. Each outlet operates four vintage machines—two dedicated to chocolate and vanilla, and two for...
The Drive-Thru Coffee War Is Coming to the Grocery Store
7 Brew, the fast‑growing drive‑thru coffee chain, has begun selling its ready‑to‑drink canned coffee in Walmart stores across Arkansas. The launch features three espresso‑based flavors and marks the brand’s first foray into grocery retail. The move follows Dutch Bros’ recent expansion...
