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 -
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.
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Permission granted by Chili's Grill & Bar
The restaurant industry’s Q1 2025 winners and losers
Consumer price sensitivity led to declines at Chipotle, McDonald’s and other QSRs, while Chili’s and Cava were among a handful of companies to see traffic and sales gains.
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Southworks
Why dashboard dining and weekend restaurant visits are on the rise
Consumer trends are contradictory, according to a Technomic presentation at the National Restaurant Association Show. Both on-premise group dining and solo car dining are growing.
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Permission granted by Smoothie King
Smoothie King appoints CFO as president
In his expanded role, Gavin Felder will oversee day-to-day management and retain his financial responsibilities at the fast-growing smoothie chain.
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Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
Why El Pollo Loco’s rebrand invites diners to ‘Get Loco’
CMO Jill Adams shares how a new tagline serves as a “call to action” and a play to engage with consumers around their passions.
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Ant DM via Getty Images
Shake Shack bets on 10 casino locations with PENN Entertainment
The fast casual chain, which already operates in three casinos, will open its first restaurants with the entertainment company in 2026.
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Juanmonino via Getty Images
Independent restaurants urge Congress to exempt service charges from taxes, not just tips
The “No Tax on Tips” provision in a proposed budget reconciliation package only benefits customer-facing staff, not dishwashers or other back-of-house workers, the IRC said.
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Courtesy of Burger King
LTOs and value are key to solving restaurant traffic downturn: Technomic
With consumers bracing for tariff impacts, limited-time offerings will likely grow in importance alongside budget-focused menu items.
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Retrieved from Chili's on May 15, 2025
Q&AChili’s CMO on how ‘culture pops’ supercharge the chain’s sales
The casual dining chain’s executives have cited marketing as a key factor behind two straight quarters of same-store sales growth of more than 31%.
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Mario Tama via Getty Images
Analysts at NRA Show: Tariffs could make H2 gloomier for restaurants
As costs rise, fast food chains are losing pricing advantages relative to fast casual and even full-service chains.
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Permission granted by McDonald's/Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme sued by investors over McDonald’s rollout pause
The lawsuit claims the chain failed to disclose profitability issues it was having with the QSR partnership, which subsequently led to a steep decline in stock prices after Q1 2025 earnings.
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Courtesy of Cava
Cava has big plans for its loyalty program
Loyalty is bringing consumers into the restaurant’s ecosystem, while its emphasis on hospitality builds relationships, according to CEO Brett Schulman.
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Permission granted by SeoulSpice
SeoulSpice heads to Chicago, plots national expansion
With trouble brewing in its home market, the Korean fast casual chain plants its first flag outside of Washington, D.C.
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Mario Tama via Getty Images
How Cava beat traffic gravity in Q1
The brand’s 10.8% comparable sales growth outperformed rival fast casuals, with Chipotle and Sweetgreen posting flat-to-negative sales.
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Retrieved from Kent Companies.
Kent Companies rolling out food-focused c-store format
Locations feature a made-to-order kitchen, a drive-thru, a beer and ice cave, two-bay car washes and a dog wash.
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Chuck E. Cheese sued by West Virginia workers over sexual harassment, retaliation
A manager at the family eatertainment brand allegedly retaliated against an assistant manager for reporting sexual harassment of women employees.
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Jack in the Box deploys kiosks at 1,500 restaurants
The chain, which posted negative same-store sales for the quarter, boasted a 18% digital sales mix, just shy of its 20% goal.
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Permission granted by Twin Peaks
Twin Hospitality Group hires CPK vet as CEO
Kim Boerema, who has over 30 years of restaurant experience, succeeds Joe Hummel, who resigned in April after Fat Brands spun off Twin Hospitality in a January IPO.
Updated May 15, 2025
