RestaurantData.com

Restaurant chains are prioritizing development in the Sun Belt, following population shifts and favorable economic conditions across the Southwest and Southeast regions.

Franchise brands are increasingly targeting emerging population centers in the Southwest and Southeast to build density and capture new demand.

Market data shows over 8,000 restaurant closures in early 2026, signaling a major reshaping of established quick-service chains amid rising operating costs.

Data from 2026 restaurant development pipelines shows a bifurcated market where compact off-premise quick-service footprints are expanding alongside traditional full-service dining models.

A new report highlights that quick-service chains accounted for the majority of restaurant closures in the first half of 2026 across the U.S. and Canada.

Restaurant franchise growth continued in 2026, but the industry's biggest brands are no longer driving expansion.