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Franchising, News, Outside Insights, Story, Technology

How AI-Driven KPI Visibility is Changing Franchise Coaching and Operations for Restaurants

Restaurant franchise performance management has followed a predictable pattern: review financial results, identify underperforming locations, and work with operators to correct course. The challenge is that by the time financial results show a problem, it may be too late to recover or make it more difficult. As restaurant franchise systems scale and generate more operational […]

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Fast Casual, Fast Food, News, Story

Year 4 of the QSR Evolution Conference: What to Know, and Who’s Coming

The early vision of QSR Evolution was originally written as QS-Revolution. That was my attempt at something clever nobody understood. Every email or message I sent out, people would reply, “tell me more about QSR Evolution.” So, I pretended I meant that all along and slid the color over a space. But what this suggested […]

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Fast Food, Food, Menu Innovations, News, Story

Under New Ownership, Del Taco Rolls Out Recovery Plan Focused on Menu, Innovation, and Loyalty

Just two and a half months after being sold, Del Taco has unveiled a new comeback plan, focused primarily on reinvigorating the menu and reengaging customers. The strategy, called “Project Sunrise,” aims to turn around the business in 18 months by improving food and beverage quality, driving innovation to build average check, expanding catering, and […]

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Beverage, Growth, News, Story

Starbucks to Open Corporate Office in Tennessee Ahead of ‘Meaningful Growth’ in North America

Starbucks plans to establish a bigger presence in the Southeast. Tennessee state officials announced Wednesday that the coffee chain will open a corporate office in Nashville later this year. The brand also confirmed that its global headquarters will remain in Seattle. The new location will “support Starbucks’ meaningful growth plans for North America” and “rising […]

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Beverage, Emerging Concepts, Fast Casual, News, Story

Growing Black Rock Coffee Bar Stays the People-Driven Course

Black Rock Coffee Bar ended fiscal 2025 with 181 stores after opening 32 across the year. It’s pacing toward 1,000 by 2035. There are a bevy of reasons to lend CEO Mark Davis confidence in the projection. But there’s one he often returns to. Ninety-eight percent of the 2008-founded brand’s employees above the barista level […]

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News, Ordering, Outside Insights, Story, Technology

Why Delivery Tracking Should Be a Restaurant Decision, Not a Platform Mandate

Delivery tracking has become table stakes. Ninety-seven percent of corporate catering buyers say they want tracking updates on every order. Ninety percent say they’re more likely to order from restaurants that offer it. These numbers reflect what anyone who has ever waited on a $500 lunch delivery already knows. When food is en route, people want to […]

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Fast Casual, Finance, Legal, News, Story

Slutty Vegan Founder Pinky Cole Files for Bankruptcy Amid Mounting Debt

Aisha “Pinky Cole,” the founder of plant-based chain Slutty Vegan, filed for bankruptcy in late February. The restaurateur listed between $1 million and $10 million in assets and $1 million to $10 million in liabilities. Cole currently owes $1.2 million to the Small Business Administration via a COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan. She also owes […]

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Finance, Growth, News, Story

Krispy Kreme Eyes Better 2026 as Initiatives Come to Fruition

After a year defined by tough decisions—including an exit from McDonald’s and corporate layoffs—Krispy Kreme believes it’s emerging from 2025 with renewed momentum. CEO Josh Charlesworth said the doughnut chain has made “meaningful progress” on its four-part turnaround plan involving refranchising, improving returns on capital, expanding margins, and driving sustainable U.S. growth. READ MORE: Krispy […]

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Burgers, Fast Casual, Finance, Growth, News, Story

Shake Shack Doubles Down on Operations to Power Next Phase of Growth

Shake Shack, known for its premium menu selection and brand appeal, has spent the past year refining the less visible parts of the business. That means operations, labor deployment, kitchen design, and supply chain. All have become central to how the brand is thinking about growth. Improvements across the board helped the chain grow corporate […]

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Fast Casual, Franchising, Growth, News, Sandwiches, Story

Why McAlister’s Says It’s Growing Like an Upstart

McAlister’s Deli might be a decades-old brand, but its current development pace resembles that of a concept still building national scale. The GoTo Foods brand signed 58 new franchise agreements in 2025, bringing its development pipeline to 265 restaurants through 2032. Heading into 2026, McAlister’s operated more than 570 restaurants across 31 states. The focus […]

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