Domino’s, Jack in the Box and fast-casual chain sales

Domino’s reported Q1 results Monday before market, including a 0.9% increase in same-store sales, which fell below analysts’ expectations and sent the company’s stock price down nearly 10%. The first quarter was pressured by weather, lower consumer sentiment and an increased promotional environment.

On that last point, Domino’s executives pointed out that its biggest competitors pulled from their playbook to push out more deals and this strategy will work in their favor in the near term. CEO Russell Weiner said he is downright bullish about this increased competition, noting that his chain’s peers simply don’t have the franchisee profitability to keep pace and predicting they may even end up closing more locations as Domino’s gobbles up more market share.

Ever notice that KFC’s and Habit’s value deals look familiar? It’s because the chains are taking a page from the playbook of their sibling chain Taco Bell. The fast-food Mexican chain has had success with its $5 $7 and $9 Luxe Boxes.

Habit sought advice from Taco Bell and came up with value meals priced at $6, $8 and $10. KFC did something similar. The strategy reveals some of the cooperation between the Texas-based Yum’s different brands as they seek one another out to solve problems during a difficult period.

Sales among fast-casual chains cooled a bit in 2025. Sales among fast-casual chains rose by 6% overall among the Top 500 Restaurant Chains to nearly $77 billion. But that growth rate marked a deceleration from the past three years, when fast-casual chain sales grew an average of about 9%.

Still, unit growth among fast casuals was up 5.1%, an increase from the 4.8% unit growth in 2024.

Among the Top 10 fast casual chains, Shake Shack grew sales the most last year, with more than 15% growth, followed by Jersey Mike’s, which grew sales more than 12%. Panera Bread was the only brand in the Top 10 to see sales decline. The bakery-café’s sales were down nearly 3% last year.