The Latest
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Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Tracking the same-store sales of 21 major restaurant chains
Sales at pizza and casual dining brands have struggled, while QSR giants like McDonald’s and Starbucks saw anemic changes and fast casuals Cava and Chipotle made big gains.
Updated March 20, 2025 -
SolStock via Getty Images
Sponsored by Alaska Seafood Marketing InstituteAlways in season: Frozen wild Alaska seafood delivers fresh taste and flexibility
Consumers seek to increase seafood consumption, and they prefer wild-caught products from Alaska.
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Courtesy of KFC
KFC’s US sales fall behind Raising Cane’s, Wingstop
Sales at most American QSR chicken chains rose in 2024, but fell 4% at KFC, according to a Circana report on the 50 largest U.S. restaurant brands.
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Retrieved from Wawa.
10 notable c-store foodservice launches this past month
Convenience retailers debuted fresh takes on sandwiches, smoothies and more in March and April. Here’s what caught our attention.
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Courtesy of Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen COO Rossann Williams resigns
Williams will remain with the chain until June as an advisor after stepping down from a role she held for over a year.
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Permission granted by 7 Brew
7 Brew opens first walk-thru location in Walmart
The coffee chain’s partnership with the mega retailer will help diversify 7 Brew’s development model as it works toward becoming a nationwide brand.
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Araya Doheny via Getty Images
Massachusetts slaps Dunkin’, McDonald’s, Subway operators with $226K in child labor fines
Franchisees allegedly employed minors without proper permits, and kept them working too long and without proper supervision, according to the state attorney general.
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kali9 via Getty Images
Circana: Restaurant traffic stalled in 2024, but diner spending rose 2%
Starbucks, McDonald’s and Burger King all had flat spending, but Circana’s David Portalatin said “flat is the new up” given current macroeconomic trends.
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Courtesy of Taco Bell
Taco Bell Nuggets return, teasing more Crispy Chicken menu items
After a strong initial performance, the chain is using the Nuggets LTO as a test run for adding Crispy Chicken to its regular menu next year.
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Permission granted by Krystal
Krystal to open first Texas travel center location
The QSR is focusing on non-traditional locations like travel centers, c-stores and airports as part of a strategy to add high-traffic restaurants to its portfolio.
Updated April 17, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
57-unit Burger King operator goes bankrupt
Despite high performance metrics, Consolidated Burger Holdings has faced traffic declines and revenue losses since the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Courtesy of 7-Eleven
7-Eleven to open 1,300 new stores through 2030
The retailer also expects to roughly double the number of stores that include a QSR, from 1,080 to 2,100, as it gears up for a 2026 IPO.
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Courtesy of Scooter's Coffee
Scooter’s Coffee switches to points-based loyalty
The new program is designed to expand the range of products available for redemption and boost ordering through Scooter’s digital channels.
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Antonio_Diaz via Getty Images
NRA: Consumers want more takeout, but lack the cash
Millennials and Gen Z consumers largely view takeout as a vital part of their lifestyles, per a National Restaurant Association report.
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Courtesy of Chili's Grill & Bar
Chili’s pop-up finances fast food meals in latest dig at rising prices
A store emulating payday loan retailers doles out gift cards to “approved” visitors and serves a new burger positioned against the Quarter Pounder.
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Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Here’s what 7 major restaurants pay their CEOs — and their store-level workers
The top brass at fast food chains like Starbucks, Chipotle and Yum Brands make tens of millions a year, while their hourly workers’ earnings hover near the poverty line.
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Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
Will restaurants be hit hard by tariffs? 6 experts weigh in
America’s baseline tariffs and the potential for renewed, country-specific taxes could pose significant problems for the restaurant industry. But analysts and trade groups are split on just how much risk looms.
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Permission granted by Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza remakes loyalty program
The chain, which has seen its store count shrink in recent years, said this move is part of a shift away from maintaining its own customized tech stack.
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kaarsten via Getty Images
One Fair Wage: DC’s tip credit elimination is a ‘success story’
As federal job cuts loom, employment data shows D.C.’s restaurant workforce is largely steady after the passage of Initiative 82.
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Permission granted by Noble Markets
Noble Gas bringing Capriotti’s sandwiches to East Coast c-stores
The retailer will open the sub shop inside its newest gas station in Enfield, Connecticut, later this month, with several more sites to come.
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Courtesy of Donatos Pizza
Donatos Pizza drops DoorDash’s AI ordering system for Revmo AI
The chain is using automation to take rote tasks off employees’ plates so they can better focus on the guest experience.
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Courtesy of Burger King
Burger King poaches Applebee’s CMO to build on modernization plan
Joel Yashinsky is tasked with driving an expansive Reclaim the Flame strategy that has produced viral marketing like the Whopper jingle.
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Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic via Getty Images
Dave & Buster’s overhauls its remodel strategy as sales continue to fall
The restaurant chain still wants to offer unique experiences — but leaders are aiming for higher returns on investment.
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hapabapa via Getty Images
Tillster: 61% of users want more restaurant kiosks
Diners are becoming more comfortable with kiosks since they can review their orders for accuracy, per a report.
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Permission granted by Portillo's
Portillo’s to break into breakfast with pilot
The fast casual chain will begin testing breakfast on April 15 at five select Chicagoland locations as part of its menu innovation strategy.
Updated April 11, 2025 -
Courtesy of Potbelly
Potbelly adds prime rib sandwich to menu
As fast casual chains look to capture new occasions, premium proteins are a prominent part of menu makeovers.
