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Fast Food, Finance, News, Story

McDonald’s U.S. Growth Spurt is Officially On

Through all the noise and challenges to reset value amid inflation, there were rumblings of McDonald’s slowly gearing up for U.S. development out of the pandemic. In 2022, it reported stateside net growth for the first time in eight years, rising by 19 stores. The following year, McDonald’s expanded by a net of two locations. […]

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Fast Food, Finance, Franchising, News, Story

Report: Papa Johns and Pizza Hut Near Potential Take-Private Deals

Papa Johns and Pizza Hut are reportedly getting closer to being sold, according to Reuters. In both cases, a solidified deal would take the companies private. Pizza Hut has traded on the stock market since 1972, while Papa Johns has been public for nearly 33 years. For Papa Johns, the interest comes from Irth Capital […]

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Fast Casual, Fast Food, News, Outside Insights, Story, Technology

Why Most Restaurant AI Investments Fail to Deliver ROI

AI adoption in foodservice is accelerating. Operators are evaluating AI chatbots, predictive tools, recommendation engines, and automated ordering systems. The problem is not a lack of innovation. It is a lack of operational clarity. Many restaurants invest in AI. Fewer see consistent ROI. The reason is straightforward: AI layered on top of fragmented systems rarely […]

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Burgers, Emerging Concepts, Fast Casual, Growth, News, Story

Smashburger Concept Skinny Louie Grows Footprint While Doubling Down on Simplicity

Gonzalo Rubino and Matias Palloni have traveled frequently, inside and outside the U.S., and during those journeys, the duo often came across high-quality smash burger concepts. They couldn’t find anything to match it in their home city of Miami. So, as experienced restaurateurs who have developed other concepts—dating back to their days in Argentina—they decided […]

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Emerging Concepts, Fast Casual, Fast Food, Franchising, News, Story

Inspire Kicks BWW GO’s Expansion Into Another Gear

Buffalo Wild Wings’ counter-service offshoot, BWW GO, hasn’t taken long to scale to the size of an emerging chain in its own right. The brand crossed the 100-standalone mark in spring 2024 and exited that year with 140 outlets after expanding by a net of 61 locations, year-over-year. This past calendar, BWW GO put down […]

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Beverage, News, Story, Technology

Starbucks Tests AI-Powered Drink Discovery Tool in ChatGPT

Starbucks is taking personalization to another level. On Wednesday, the coffee giant revealed a new beta app in ChatGPT that helps customers find the perfect drink “based on their mood or vibe of the day,” according to a blog post by Paul Riedel, SVP, digital & loyalty. Customers can either type descriptions or upload a […]

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Fast Casual, Fast Food, Food, Marketing & Promotions, Menu Innovations, News, Story

How Chains Are Transforming Sides into High-Impact Menu Drivers

Last December, Chipotle launched its first-ever snack-ready side item. Unlike many brands that chase incremental checks with ever-more indulgent sides, the fast casual leaned into a very different kind of craving with its High Protein Cup, a snack-sized portion of its best-selling Adobo chicken, explicitly designed for guests who treat the brand as part of […]

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Fast Casual, Fast Food, News, Outside Insights, Story

How Restaurants Can Use AI to Engage Guests and Control Costs

The fast-food industry has been described as “one of the most fiercely contested business landscapes in the world.” With customers increasingly searching for value, franchise owners are always on the lookout for tools to control costs and increase customer engagement. Artificial intelligence (AI) is already providing ways to accomplish those aims, and its impact is […]

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Beverage, Burgers, Marketing & Promotions, Menu Innovations, News, Story

McDonald’s to Launch Crafted Beverage Lineup Nationwide Next Month

McDonald’s full dive into crafted drinks will start next month, according to the Wall Street Journal. The upcoming menu will feature items like a Dirty Dr Pepper and Mango Pineapple Refresher, and will be priced lower than beverage chains such as Starbucks and Dutch Bros. Additionally, a lineup of energy drinks, including the Red Bull […]

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Fast Casual, Fast Food, Finance, News, Sandwiches, Story

Jersey Mike’s Reported Another Year of Growth in 2025

In a lot of respects, it’s been a stretch of change for Jersey Mike’s, a brand that had the same CEO for five decades until former Wingstop, Pizza Inn, and Salad and Go leader Charlie Morrison took over just about a year ago. And that was five months post-sale to private-equity behemoth Blackstone for a […]

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