Burger King, Popeyes, BJ’s

Tom Curtis has spent a lot of time on the phone recently. The president of Burger King talked with more than 1,500 customers after giving out his work number. Members of his team talked to another 7,000 and the company as a whole answered 64,000 phone calls or texts. For Burger King, which just reported a 5.8% same-store sales jump in the first quarter, the listening tour is part of a broad improvement effort that could reverberate through the chain for years.

Sibling brand Popeyes, however, turned in its worst quarterly performance in nearly 20 years, reporting -6.5% same-store sales in the first quarter, with systemwide sales down 3.9%.

RBI CEO Josh Kobza said the company is moving quickly to address the chain’s recent issues, including a sharpened focus on operational improvements, a more consistent value offering, and prioritization of the core menu. The chain is in the process of upgrading its tenders, which should be systemwide by June. It has also beefed up its field support and general manager training efforts, while leaning into its new $5 Faves Menu.

Executives are optimistic these changes will take hold and expect same-store sales to turn positive by the second half of this year.

BJ’s Restaurants is on a roll. The chain recorded its seventh straight quarter of same-store sales and traffic growth, at 2.4% and 2.2%, respectively. It continues to reap the rewards of operations and menu improvements over the past year and a half, as well as the addition of value-priced Pizookie Meal Deals. Next up: a premium-priced Wagyu burger and revamped chicken sandwiches.