The Latest
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Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Tracking the same-store sales of 21 major restaurant chains
Very few chains — not even Chipotle and Domino’s — were immune from same-store sales slides reported in Q1 2025 as consumers spend less.
Updated May 21, 2025 -
Leon Neal via Getty Images
Nusr-Et Steakhouse closes all but 2 US restaurants
The fine dining chain owned by celebrity chef Salt-Bae has shifted focus to international growth.
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Courtesy of Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza appoints Starbucks vet as COO
Jaime Denney, who has over 25 years of restaurant experience, will oversee company and franchise operations and work to boost speed, profitability and hospitality.
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traveler1116 via Getty Images
DC city council pauses tipped wage hike
In a possible prelude to repealing Initiative 82, a plan to eliminate the tipped minimum wage, the council voted Tuesday to delay a $2 wage increase scheduled for July 1.
Updated June 4, 2025 -
Permission granted by CKE Restaurants
CKE hires former Yum Brands exec as international president
Ewan Davenport spent over nine years in leadership roles with Pizza Hut international and succeeds Mike Woida, who retired earlier this year.
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Courtesy of Zaxbys
Zaxbys’ latest LTO emphasizes late-night dining
The fried chicken chain joins brands like Pizza Hut, Wendy’s and Portillo’s in making late-night occasions a strategic priority.
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Retrieved from PR Newswire.
Walmart to bring Wienerschnitzel restaurants to 6 stores
The retailer has partnered with the hot dog chain, marking its latest move to grow its roster of in-store quick-service restaurant partners.
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Retrieved from Saladworks on June 03, 2025
Saladworks to expand in North Carolina with 10-unit deal
The chain, which once leaned on alternative growth vehicles like ghost kitchens and automated saladbots, will open the first of these traditional units in 2026.
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kali9 via Getty Images
Deep DiveNo taxes on tips may happen soon. Here’s what it could look like for hospitality workers.
Congress could pass legislation that includes eliminating taxes on tips as soon as this month. But what the legislation will look like — and its effects — are still up for debate.
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Courtesy of Dave's Hot Chicken
Dave’s Hot Chicken sells majority stake to Roark
The long-rumored deal will help the chain hit its ambitious unit growth targets as it looks to become the leading fast casual chicken brand.
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Chip Somodevilla / Staff via Getty Images
How tariffs could impact 11 major restaurant companies
While a bulk of chains, including Sweetgreen and Chipotle, expect minimal impact to food costs because of domestic supply chains, the cost of new equipment could rise.
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Permission granted by Freddy's
Freddy’s to open first Canadian restaurant
The Winnipeg unit is the first outside the U.S. for the growing burger chain, which is building out a significant store pipeline.
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Retrieved from Mooyah Burgers Fries & Shakes on June 02, 2025
Mooyah Burgers Fries & Shakes appoints Papa Johns vet as president
Michael Meche, who spent almost 30 years at the pizza chain, joins the burger brand as it prepares for accelerated growth.
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Red Robin ‘far from claiming victory’ despite comps growth
The casual chain’s turnaround efforts are paying off in terms of comparable sales and profits, but executives say a repeat performance is unlikely in Q2.
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Courtesy of Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box promotes permanent CFO
Dawn Hooper, who has served as interim finance head for months, takes the role as the company faces sales trouble and the pending sale of Del Taco.
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Gins Wang via Getty Images
Full-service restaurant uncertainty: Why diners are trading up and down
Customers are pulling back on spending in full-service dining — except when they aren’t. Both fine dining establishments and massive casual brands must adapt to mixed signals.
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US court blocks Trump’s sweeping tariffs
The Court of International Trade said the president overstepped his authority, halting various duties. After an appeal, the ruling has been paused.
Updated May 29, 2025 -
creativica via Getty Images
Yoshinoya America hires Better Buzz Coffee exec as president
Paul Nishiyama, former COO of the coffee chain, will join the chain as it looks to resume growth after several years of stagnant unit count.
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Courtesy of Chicken Salad Chick
Chicken Salad Chick hits 300 restaurants
As fast casual restaurants outperform the rest of the industry, the chain signed a record number of franchising agreements in Q1 and its AUV is growing.
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Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
Reporter’s notebook: 3 unanswered questions from the NRA Show
Can a robot really replace a worker? Will tariffs trigger a recession? Can you charge $14 for a mocktail?
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Courtesy of Donatos Pizza
Donatos Pizza to open automated restaurant in airport
The pizza chain, which has worked toward operating robotic pizzerias since 2023, said an airport environment is ideal for the concept.
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Deep DiveHow restaurant chains are updating their marketing menus in tough economy
Marketers at QSR and fast casual brands are taking big swings with creative campaigns, evolving loyalty strategies and digital technology investments.
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Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
McDonald’s will wind down CosMc’s, test drinks
The Golden Arches will start shuttering its beverage innovation spinoff’s units in late June, just 18 months after its first location opened.
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TW Farlow via Getty Images
Darden closes one-third of Bahama Breeze restaurants
The company closed 15 Bahama Breeze locations across eight states in May, as part of a push for its smaller brands to focus on high-performing units.
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Courtesy of BP Pulse
BP Pulse is bringing EV chargers to Waffle House
Chosen sites in the Southeast and the Sunbelt will get six electric vehicle charging bays, with the first locations coming online next year.
