Alicia Kelso

KFC's U.S. comeback plan continues to navigate a competitive QSR environment, with the Popcorn Chicken generating a strong consumer response.

Yum Brands has terminated its relationship with Encanto Restaurants, leading to the closure of KFC and Taco Bell locations in Puerto Rico.

Popeyes executives adjusted their expectations for a sales turnaround after the chain reported its seventh straight quarter of same-store sales decline.

The chicken wing chain lowered its full-year guidance following a 5.4% drop in same-store sales, marking its sixth consecutive quarter of negative growth.

PDQ, a Tampa-based chicken chain, marks its 15th anniversary with a brand refresh, focusing on training and hospitality.

Anybody expecting a quick improvement in fast-food traffic isn’t getting much hope from some of the industry’s top executives.

- Food Safety - News Chipotle is piloting a food safety platform with Palantir The company said the technology is designed to provide a more consistent and centralized view of risk

- Executives - Marketing & Branding - News Mountain Mike’s appoints Jack in the Box veteran as chief marketing officer Sheena Dougher most recently served as vice president of bran

- Quick Service - Marketing & Branding - News Taco Bell adds a snack-sized twist to its Cheesy Gordita Crunch The Gordita Crunch Duos launch is part of the chain’s strategy to expa

- Quick Service - Franchising - Finance - News Bankrupt Popeyes franchisee sues firm after deal collapse Sailormen seeks to keep RFI Ventures' deposit as liquidated damages after t

- Fast Casual - Labor - News Chipotle is expanding its apprentice program The company expects the position to be in all its North American restaurants by the end of 2027. [](https:

- Fast Casual - Executives - News Chipotle adds former KFC Global CEO to board The appointment of Sabir Sami comes as the fast-casual Mexican chain continues to expand its internat

My colleague Alicia Kelso wrote about Mile High Pizza Company , a former Domino's franchisee which at one point had 25 locations, and which just closed 13 shops in Ohio.

- Franchising - Finance - News Domino’s franchisee closes 13 Ohio locations Mile High Pizza Company had 25 locations at the end of 2025, and the company is now calling it a "former

Yum Brands chains Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill will move to a larger 251,000-square-foot shared campus in Irvine, California, by 2028.

Bank Midwest has filed a lawsuit against The Integritty Group, a major Qdoba franchisee, alleging a default on an $18.3 million balance across 41 restaurant locations.

Popeyes seeks to recapture market momentum with a value-focused $6 Big Box, while Domino’s introduces a Detroit-style pizza to compete for consumer attention.

The fast-casual Mexican chain is promoting its lineup of 14 dips and sauces, including the new beef-based Queso Fundido and a dessert chocolate dip.

The fast-casual giant has opened its first Asian location in Seoul, South Korea, through a partnership with Sangmidang Holdings as part of its global expansion strategy.

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has closed its three Houston-area locations just months after a franchisee attempted to pivot the units to a full-service restaurant model.

The quick-service chicken chain has introduced a new $5 value platform and is beginning market tests for a chicken and waffles menu addition.

LongRange Capital has finalized its $1.5 billion acquisition of Pizza Hut from Yum Brands, transitioning the legacy pizza chain into a standalone private company.

In a recent analysis of credit card data, Bank of America noted that independents (and bars) were easily beating chain restaurants.

- Quick Service - Beverage Trends - Marketing & Branding - News Taco Bell expands beverage lineup with new energy drinks They join a growing part of the chain’s menu that already i