Wendy’s Bets Order Accuracy and Clean Stores Will Revive Sales
Wendy’s reported a 7.8% same‑store sales decline in Q1, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of drops. The chain is accelerating Project Fresh by expanding menu‑item label printers to over 85% of locations and launching a “White Glove” cleanliness program, which together lifted order‑accuracy and cleanliness scores by 170 and 160 basis points respectively. It also rolled out an expanded Biggie Deals value platform at $4, $6 and $8 price points to attract snackers, families and higher‑spend diners. These moves aim to reverse weakness among lower‑income consumers while repositioning Wendy’s as a higher‑quality quick‑service brand.
CEC Entertainment Adds Texas Roadhouse Vet as CFO
Chuck E. Cheese’s parent company CEC Entertainment has appointed Chris Monroe, former CFO of Texas Roadhouse, as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Monroe, who spent three decades in finance roles at Southwest Airlines before moving to the restaurant...
Shake Shack Appoints Former Portillo’s CFO as It Finance Chief
Shake Shack announced the appointment of Michelle Hook as chief financial officer, effective May 11, 2026. Hook comes from a two‑year stint as CFO of Portillo’s, where she helped steer the 2021 IPO, and brings over two decades of finance...
How Dutch Bros Doubled Its Brand Awareness in 18 Months
Dutch Bros posted a 31% revenue jump in Q1 2026, powered by an 8.3% same‑store sales increase and a 5.1% rise in transactions. Company‑operated stores, which make up 72% of its 1,177‑store network, delivered a 10.6% sales gain, helped by a 6.9%...
Papa Johns Suffers Major 6.4% Comp Sales Drop
Papa John’s reported a 6.4% decline in North American comparable sales for Q1 2026, its steepest drop in years, with company‑owned stores down 5.2% and franchised locations down 6.7%. CEO Todd Penegor attributed the slump to weaker customer acquisition, a...
Burger King’s Sales Jumped, Popeyes Slumped in Q1
Restaurant Brands International reported divergent Q1 performance for its two flagship chains. Burger King posted a 5.8% rise in comparable U.S. sales, driven by menu upgrades, the Whopper revamp, and family‑focused promotions. In contrast, Popeyes saw a 6.5% drop in...
Portillo’s CFO Departs
Portillo’s chief financial officer Michelle Hook left the fast‑casual chain on May 5, ending a six‑year tenure that included the 2021 IPO and multi‑market expansion. The departure follows a recent leadership shuffle that added a new CEO and a chief development...
Subway Closed at Least 729 Stores in 2025
Subway's U.S. franchise system shed 729 stores in 2025, the sharpest annual decline since 2021. The total footprint has contracted by 3,417 locations since 2021, leaving 18,773 units operating. Despite the closures, Subway's net income rose to $688 million in 2025,...
Refuel to Open Its First Whataburger
Refuel Operating Company will launch its first Whataburger restaurant adjacent to a new convenience store in Kenedy, Texas, slated for late 2026. The site will feature the burger chain’s full menu and a drive‑thru, complementing Refuel’s grab‑and‑go food program. Refuel...
Popeyes Wraps Join Core Menu
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen has promoted its Chicken Wraps from a limited‑time offer to a permanent menu item and introduced a new Blackened Ranch sauce, replacing the summer 2025 Honey Mustard. The wraps are priced at $3.99, with a two‑wrap and...
KFC Expands $10 Bucket Deal Across Weekdays
KFC is extending its popular $10 Tuesday bucket promotion to every weekday, adding distinct $10 bucket options from Monday through Thursday and keeping the original Tuesday offering. The chain also introduced a Boneless Bucket for One, featuring tenders, nuggets, fries...
Taco Bell Grows Loyalty and Digital Sales
Taco Bell is expanding its loyalty program, driving a 30% year‑over‑year increase in loyalty sales and pushing its U.S. digital sales mix toward 50%. Across Yum Brands, digital transactions reached a record 63% of total sales, equating to about $11 billion...
How Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Uses Square to Power 103 Stores
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream has expanded to 103 brick‑and‑mortar locations in 15 states, crediting Square’s integrated suite of loans, flat‑fee processing, reporting and marketing tools. The fintech partnership gave the company predictable cash flow, real‑time sales visibility and data‑driven menu...
What McDonald’s Looks for in a Payment Partner
McDonald’s has relied on Adyen as its primary payments partner for over five years, valuing the provider’s ability to operate at enterprise scale across 60+ markets. Adyen delivers an end‑to‑end technology stack that streamlines innovation, reduces operational friction, and supports...
Sweetgreen Hires Amazon, Starbucks Alum as Development Chief
Sweetgreen has named Ryan Slemons, a former Amazon Go and Starbucks development executive, as its new chief development officer effective May 4. The hire comes as the fast‑casual chain grapples with declining same‑store sales and recent divestiture of its Spyce...
Culver’s to Add Computer Vision to 1K Restaurants
Fast‑casual chain Culver’s announced a partnership with Berry AI to install computer‑vision AI across 1,000 restaurants nationwide, beginning in Q2 2024. The system uses cameras to capture real‑time data on service execution, vehicle flow, and throughput, integrating with POS data...
Starbucks’ Loyalty Update Is Driving Frequency as Membership Grows
Starbucks revamped its Rewards program in March, shifting from heavy discounting to engagement‑focused benefits. U.S. active membership rose 4% YoY to a record 35.6 million, and the new 60‑point $2 discount now drives about one‑third of all point redemptions. The changes...
Chipotle Expands Drone Pilot, Accelerates Equipment Package Deployment
Chipotle is accelerating its technology rollout, installing a high‑efficiency equipment package in more than 600 restaurants and targeting 2,000 locations by year‑end. The chain has also deployed visual Chipotle Kitchen digital displays in 100 sites, with a full rollout planned...
Red Robin Hires Long-Time Bloomin’ Exec as CFO
Red Robin announced the appointment of Mark Graff, a former Bloomin’ Brands executive, as its new chief financial officer effective May 4, 2026. Graff previously oversaw Bloomin’s $900 million Bonefish Grill and fine‑dining segment across more than 220 locations, giving him experience with...
Wingstop Links Same-Store Sales Slides to Iran War
Wingstop reported an 8.7% same‑store sales decline in Q1, driven by low‑income consumer pullback after gas prices spiked following the U.S. war with Iran. Unit count, however, grew 17% year‑over‑year, partially offsetting the sales dip. The chain is emphasizing sub‑$10...
Chili’s Chicken Sandwiches Are Boosting Traffic, Sales
Chili’s rolled out an updated Big Crispy chicken sandwich platform on April 14, driving a 161% surge in sandwich sales versus the pre‑launch period. The boost helped the chain post 4% same‑store sales growth in Q3 2026, marking its 20th consecutive...
Starbucks Turnaround Plan Is Paying Off, CEO Says
Starbucks reported a 7.1% year‑over‑year rise in North American same‑store sales for Q2 2026, driven by a 4.3% lift in traffic and higher average ticket sizes. CEO Brian Niccol called the quarter the “turn in our turnaround,” citing the Green Apron...
Yum Brands Wants AI and Beverages to Supercharge Growth
Yum Brands announced that it will expand its Byte artificial‑intelligence platform to customer‑facing operations, starting with AI‑controlled drive‑thru menu boards at Taco Bell. The company also unveiled a global innovation pantry that moves successful limited‑time offers, such as KFC’s Pickle...
Whataburger Adds Toys, Interactive Packaging to Kids Meals
Whataburger announced that starting May 5 its kids meals will include toys and interactive packaging, adding games, mazes and surprise elements without changing the food itself. Prices will range from $3.89 to $6.49, positioning the meals as a value‑focused option for...
Subway Enters Value Wars with Menu Priced Under $5
Subway rolled out its first Fresh Value Menu on April 28, 2026, featuring 15 items priced under $5, including Deli Faves sandwiches and Protein Pockets wraps. The menu is available at participating locations, with higher prices in California, Washington, Alaska...
Domino’s Expects Papa Johns, Pizza Hut to Close More Stores
Domino’s CEO Russell Weiner said the chain expects to capture market share as publicly traded rivals close stores in 2026. Yum Brands plans to shutter about 250 Pizza Hut locations in the first half of the year, while Papa Johns targets 300 closures...
Applebee’s Franchisees Sue Chain over Dual-Branding Exclusivity
Apple Texas Restaurants and Apple Houston Restaurants have filed a federal lawsuit accusing Dine Brands of breaching franchise exclusivity clauses by opening dual‑branded IHOP‑Applebee’s locations in Texas trade areas they control. The plaintiffs argue the new concept, which Dine touts...
In a Rapidly Changing Market, Innovation Is the Strategy that Drives Profit
The restaurant sector is rapidly shifting as diners favor delivery platforms and demand fresh, exciting menu options. Operators that position innovation at the core of their strategy saw a 7.5% sales lift in 2024, while 80% of independent restaurants plan...
More than a Rough Patch: Recent Restaurant Closures Signal Market Correction
Recent closures of Wendy’s, Pizza Hut, Jack in the Box and other chains highlight a market correction driven by sustained traffic declines and rising cost pressures. Analysts point to soaring food, labor, insurance and rent expenses that are eroding margins,...
Nestlé Sells Blue Bottle Coffee to Centurium Capital
Nestlé announced it will sell its Blue Bottle Coffee business, including cafés and consumer‑packaged‑goods, to China‑based Centurium Capital for an estimated $400 million, while keeping the brand’s Nespresso single‑serve pod rights. The transaction, expected to close in the first half of...
Hardee’s Operator Files for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
ARC Burger, a major Hardee’s franchisee, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy after closing its 77 locations in December 2025. The closure followed a Hardee’s lawsuit accusing ARC of breaching franchise agreements, stemming from ARC’s 2023 purchase of the restaurants from Summit...
7-Eleven Adding Catering to Restaurant Locations
7‑Eleven announced a partnership with food‑technology platform ezCater to roll out a scaled, national catering service across its restaurant brands, including Speedy Café, Laredo Taco Company, and most Raise the Roost locations. The new offering adds pizza, tacos, salads and...
Why Old School Pizza Delivery Won’t Disappear, Despite Third-Party Dominance
Third‑party aggregators like DoorDash and Uber Eats dominate pizza delivery volumes, but major chains such as Domino’s, Pizza Hut, and Papa John’s continue to operate their own driver fleets for orders placed through proprietary apps. The hybrid approach lets brands capture the...
Starbucks Nashville HQ Will Cost $100M, Employ 2K Workers
Starbucks announced a $100 million investment to build a new regional support office in Nashville, Tennessee, slated to open in phases starting May 2026 and fully operational by 2027. The facility will employ about 2,000 workers, combining new hires, in‑sourced roles...
DOL Proposes New Joint Employer Rule
The U.S. Department of Labor has issued a proposed rule to create a single, nationwide definition of joint‑employer status under the FLSA, FMLA, and MSPA. The rule relies on a four‑factor test for vertical joint employment and narrows the scope...
Why Restaurants Are Anxious About OpenTable’s New Terms
OpenTable has revised its client agreements, mandating that partner restaurants designate its platform as the primary table‑management system and shift from month‑to‑month to annual contracts. The company says the changes protect guest data and prevent unauthorized third‑party scraping, positioning OpenTable...
Smoothie King to Add Flatbreads, High-Protein Food Items
Smoothie King announced a brand‑evolution plan that adds flatbreads and high‑protein food items to its menu, with rollout slated for the summer. The company will install ovens across its system at no cost to existing franchisees to support the new...
Diners Are Becoming Less Loyal: Tillster
A Tillster survey of 2,144 U.S. diners shows brand loyalty slipping, with 45% changing their favorite restaurant in the past year, up from 33% in 2025. Consumers are cutting back on restaurant visits, favoring grocery and convenience‑store options, and 61%...
Jersey Mike’s Could Go Public
Jersey Mike’s Submarines is preparing for an initial public offering after filing a confidential S‑1 with the SEC. The sandwich chain expanded from 2,387 stores in early 2023 to 3,227 locations by early 2026, driven by a majority‑stake purchase by...
What Restaurants Are Doing Differently on TikTok and Why It’s Driving Visits
TikTok has become the top platform influencing U.S. dining choices, with over 200 million monthly active users and 75% of diners saying it shapes where they eat. The platform’s blend of authentic, creator‑driven videos and paid formats like Spark Ads and...
Why Restaurants Are Using Spice to Drive Flavor—And Repeat Traffic
Spice is now a staple on roughly 95% of U.S. restaurant menus, driven by the 65% of Americans who enjoy hot flavors. Operators are shifting from extreme heat to approachable, mid‑level heat that blends sweet, savory and global influences. Brands...
How H&H Bagels Managed 900 Orders on Opening Day without Selling Out
H&H Bagels opened its first Miami location in Pinecrest, processing over 900 orders in a ten‑hour launch without any menu sell‑outs. The 13‑person team leveraged targeted staffing, ultra‑efficient station layouts, and real‑time wait‑time communication to keep lines moving. Rigorous inventory...
Who’s Hungry? What GroundTruth’s First-Party Data Says About Today’s Restaurant Visitors.
GroundTruth’s first‑party data shows restaurant foot traffic remained robust in 2025, with seasonal spikes driving 40‑50% higher visits in the fall across fast‑casual, quick‑service, casual and premium segments. The majority of diners stay within a 10‑mile radius of their homes,...
Cava Opens First St. Louis Location in Midwestern Growth Push
Cava opened its first St. Louis‑area restaurant in the Cottleville suburb, marking the brand’s latest step in a Midwest expansion push. The fast‑casual chain reported 439 locations at the end of 2025 and is on track to hit 500 sites in...
Hi Auto’s Latest Tech Targets the Drive-Thru Pickup Window
Hi Auto is beta testing a new 'window intelligence' module that adds audio monitoring at the drive‑thru pickup window. The system links microphone recordings to point‑of‑sale data to score friendliness, detect errors, employee theft and disputes, and provide real‑time service...
Chicago’s Tip Credit Elimination Plan Is Back, for Now
Chicago city council failed to muster the two‑thirds majority needed to override Mayor Brandon Johnson's veto of a bill that would have frozen the city's tip‑credit elimination. The mayor argued that unpredictable tips and inflation pressure workers, while citing growth...
Dairy Queen Expands Drive-Thru Voice AI Test
Dairy Queen and Presto Phoenix are scaling their drive‑thru voice‑AI from company‑owned test sites to franchise locations. After a successful pilot, the rollout will initially cover at least 25 franchisees across 25 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, with a long‑term plan...
Cava Adds Glazed Salmon to Menu
Cava announced it will add a pomegranate‑glazed salmon to its menu on April 20, marking the fast‑casual chain’s first seafood offering. The salmon can be added to custom bowls or enjoyed in two seasonal Chef Curations – the Salmon + Strawberry Sesame Bowl...
GoTo Foods Appoints Chief Digital and Development Officers
GoTo Foods appointed Biplav Misra as its first chief digital officer and Tatiana Lambert as chief development officer, expanding a leadership overhaul that began with CEO Omer Gajial earlier this year. The hires are designed to accelerate disciplined growth, improve...
Field to Fry: What Sustainability Actually Looks Like in the Potato Supply Chain
Lamb Weston, a leading North American frozen‑potato processor, is preparing its next sustainability report amid growing consumer demand for eco‑friendly food. The company reports cutting 800 million gallons of water, reducing 1,800 tons of waste and avoiding 12,000 metric tons of CO₂ through...