Story

Fast Casual, Growth, News, Story

The Race to Build the Next Great Asian Fast-Casual Chain

Aks Sethi remembers the moment that changed the trajectory of his business. In 2014, the entrepreneur—then four years into running Thai Chili, a sit-down restaurant in Gilbert, Arizona—walked into a Chipotle and saw the future. At the time, Thai Chili offered a sprawling menu of items rooted in the street food traditions of Thailand. But […]

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Fast Casual, Fast Food, News, Story

The Secret Ingredients to a Lasting Restaurant Legacy

From beloved neighborhood diners to multi-unit franchises, family-owned restaurants are more than businesses; they’re community institutions. Restaurants host milestone celebrations, serve comfort food that connects generations and provide first jobs to thousands of young people. According to the National Restaurant Association, consumer spending is expected to drive industry sales to a projected $1.55 trillion nationwide, with […]

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Emerging Concepts, Fast Casual, Finance, News, Story, Women in Restaurant Leadership

Stefanie Lee Wants to Build Starbird’s Future

Starbird just announced Stefanie Lee as its newest CFO— and she is ready to build out the infrastructure to fuel the brand’s growth as it expands beyond its California home market.  Lee spent 18 years building financial infrastructure at massive brands like Dine Brands, Krispy Kreme, and TITLE Boxing Club. Now she’s coming back home […]

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Fast Food, Franchising, News, Outside Insights, Story

The Hidden Cost of the Third-Party Delivery Boom and How to Win

Over the years, the typical QSR customer has changed. One of the biggest changes is that 30–40 percent of dine-in customers have moved toward the drive-thru. This shift originally driven by COVID caused the customers to visit their favorite restaurants a different way. Consumers have pivoted yet again, ordering food remotely through delivery partners like DoorDash […]

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Beverage, Fast Casual, Finance, Franchising, News, Story

7 Brew is On a Growth Run for the Record Books

7 Brew didn’t merely outpace its own rapid growth from a year ago—it opened as many locations in 2025 as it did the previous two years combined. The chain expanded by a net of 281 restaurants, according its just-released FDD. That after lifting by 141 net in 2024 and 140 in 2023. For some perspective […]

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Fast Casual, Fast Food, Finance, News, Special Reports, Story

The State of Mobile Ordering in QSR: Which Brands are Winning, and Where Opportunity Still Lies

Last year’s Emerging Experiences Report—the third iteration in partnership with Intouch Insight—took us across the QSR landscape to visit next-generation designs. Were these elevated, tech-enabled builds satisfying their premise? Had AI infiltrated the guest experience? The answers were a bit mixed, as you’d imagine. What it revealed, among other things, though, was the layered reality […]

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Fast Casual, Fast Food, Finance, Franchising, News, Story

Restaurant Financing: What Owners Need to Know Before Starting, Buying, or Expanding a Restaurant

Opening or growing a restaurant takes more than a great menu and strong customer service. It takes capital. Whether an operator is launching a new concept, purchasing an existing restaurant, remodeling a location, adding equipment, or expanding into multiple units, access to the right financing can often determine how quickly the business grows and how […]

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News, Outside Insights, Story, Technology

How Technology Can Help QSRs Overcome Cost and Experience Challenges

For QSRs, speed is a primary driver of business success. Speed means productive employees, satisfied customers, and increased profitability. In addition, findings from recent QSR reports suggest accuracy, friendliness, and innovation are fast becoming table stakes for customers—who are defining “value” by the totality of the overall experience. Two critical—and variable—cost factors that come with […]

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Fast Casual, Finance, News, Story

El Pollo Loco’s Multi-Faceted Growth Strategy Takes Hold

El Pollo Loco isn’t pitching a turnaround anymore. It’s trying to prove it can sustain one. Coming out of the first quarter, the fire-grilled chicken chain is leaning into a playbook covering menu innovation, operational discipline, and digital engagement. It’s also shifting attention toward long-term traffic growth and national expansion. Leadership believes the brand has […]

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