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 -
Patpitchaya via Getty Images
Tariffs, immigration policy put US restaurants at ‘significant risk’: Fitch
High consumer price sensitivity leaves brands with little room to offset the costs of tariffs and labor market disruptions.
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Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks union workers strike over dress code changes
Baristas at more than 50 cafes have walked off the job over new clothing policies, which they say deviate from agreements made at the bargaining table.
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Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
Vegan full-service chain Planta goes bankrupt
Rising costs, falling consumer demand and structural changes in the restaurant industry left the brand with insufficient cash flow.
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Permission granted by Mountain Mike's
Why Mountain Mike’s doesn’t want to be like every other pizza chain
Unlike rival brands that are shrinking footprints to focus on off-premise service, the California-based chain leans on its dining rooms, salad bar and arcade games to stay competitive.
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Courtesy of Brinker International
Brinker promotes Aaron White to COO
White will maintain her role as chief people officer in addition to overseeing operational improvements that bolster the employee and guest experience.
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Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
Applebee’s perks up its loyalty program with an emphasis on exclusivity
Dine Brands wants to use memorable loyalty opportunities and speedy service to help Applebee’s and IHOP grow.
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Permission granted by Potbelly
How Potbelly harnessed transformational growth
After undertaking a turnaround strategy, the company has grown comparable sales, accelerated franchise development and added popular menu items.
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Retrieved from NACS.
Arko begins building food-focused stores, will debut new foodservice program
The convenience retailer is investing between $700,000 and $1.1 million into each new location and intends to finish all seven pilot sites by the end of 2025.
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Courtesy of Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen’s same-store sales slip for first time as public company
The salad brand attributed its sales shortfall to consumer pullback, and is looking to loyalty and LTOs to offset the trouble.
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Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Shake Shack to open new support center, flagship restaurant in Atlanta
The new support center and flagship location, equipped with a full bar, represent an evolution for the brand and could signal an increased reliance on menu innovation and LTOs as growth drivers.
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Permission granted by Dutch Bros
How restaurants can tap into the beverage craze
Young, health-conscious consumers are seeking out innovative non-alcoholic drinks, and well-positioned restaurants can capture that new demand.
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Permission granted by McDonald's/Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme pauses McDonald’s rollout as sales drop
The doughnut chain said it has stopped expanding its McDonald’s presence while it works to assess the profitability of the business model.
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Courtesy of Huddle House
Huddle House pursues drive-thrus, non-traditional growth in rebrand
As casual dining struggles, brands are leaning into a wide array of real estate and menu changes to capture fast casual and QSR diners.
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Courtesy of Dine Brands
Why Dine Brands is going all in on dual-branded restaurants
Franchisees are increasingly buying into dual-branded units since they lead to higher sales compared to a standalone restaurant.
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Courtesy of Noodles & Company
How Noodles & Company beat Chipotle’s Q1 comparable sales
The chain posted a 4.4% increase in comp sales in Q1 2025 even though larger chains like Chipotle and Wingstop posted anemic comps.
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Pappas Restaurants to buy On The Border out of bankruptcy
Pappas Restaurants, which previously provided $10 million in debtor-in-posession financing through an affiliate, plans to improve On The Border’s menu operations and guest experience.
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Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle hires Taco Bell exec as COO
Jason Kidd succeeds Scott Boatwright, who was promoted to CEO earlier this year, and will oversee operations across the chain’s nearly 3,800 units.
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Courtesy of Deliveroo
DoorDash to acquire Deliveroo for $3.9B
Four years after entering Europe through its $8 billion Wolt acquisition, DoorDash will add nine additional countries to its footprint with this deal.
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Permission granted by Wonder
Wonder raises $600M, will nearly double unit count in 2025
The food hall and delivery company, which bought Grubhub in 2024, has a reported valuation of $7 billion and plans to reach 90 locations this year.
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Courtesy of Shift4. Shift4 CEO Jared Isaacman
Shift4 turns to restaurants for future growth
The payment processor has signed thousands of restaurants in Europe and plans to expand that business.
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Retrieved from Google.
Circle K adding Burrito Express QSRs in Phoenix
The retailer, which has over 150 c-stores in the city, is expected to open six Burrito Express Fast and Fresh restaurants as it strengthens its foodservice capabilities.
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Courtesy of SevenRooms
DoorDash to buy SevenRooms for $1.2B
The deal comes on the heels of DoorDash’s $3.9 billion Deliveroo acquisition and will add tools like reservations, waitlist and table management to its merchant products.
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Permission granted by Fat Brands
Fat Brands hires Jack in the Box vet as CIO
Drew Martin, who has over 35 years of IT experience, will help the chain implement scalable technology solutions in his new position.
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Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco will open 500th restaurant this year
The chain will open at least 10 units this year, most of which will be outside of California, as the chain works toward regaining unit growth momentum.
