Chipotle, Taco Bell, Jersey Mike’s

Chipotle registered its strongest same-store sales growth since 2024. The brand reported a 2.2% increase in Q2, driven by a 1% increase in transactions and a 1.2% increase in average check. The company caught momentum from its honey chicken launch in April, as well as resonate marketing such as its World Cup BOGO and enhanced rewards program. The fast-casual Mexican chain raised its full-year same-store sales guidance to the low-single-digit range, from flat in April.

During the second quarter, Taco Bell was the workhorse yet again for Yum Brands, turning in a 7% same-store sales increase. Overall, Yum’s global same-store sales rose 3% in the quarter, with KFC up 2% and Pizza Hut down 1%. System sales grew 5% for the period. Yum also reported a record mix of digital sales at 60%, while unit count jumped 5%. Yum expects its Pizza Hut sale to LongRange Capital and Yum China to close in August.

Jersey Mike’s is off and running as a public company. The sandwich chain’s stock opened on Thursday at $23 per share, which was in the middle of the range between $21 and $25 projected earlier. The price raised slightly over $1 billion and gives the chain a valuation of $7.3 billion. CEO Charlie Morrison, who rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, sees an opportunity to grow Jersey Mike’s into a 15,000 unit global chain. He hopes to steal share, not just from other sandwich chains, but all segments, by attracting a younger audience.