Julie Littman — page 3

The chain has already hired 150 assistant general managers as part of its Flavor Your Future platform to develop a deep bench of future general managers.

Beginning in June, Subway and Walmart will allow customers to order Subway meals directly through Walmart’s app or Walmart.com for delivery within 30 minutes or less. Subway is th

Tijuana Flats has seen a significant turnaround with its sales trajectory.

The transaction will allow the chain to refinance debt, providing liquidity to help it reach 2,000 units and support investments in remodels and digital makelines.

The former Chipotle executive joins the salad chain to oversee corporate strategy and the brand’s multi-pillar 'Sweet Growth Transformation Plan.'

Kate Savelli, who previously worked at Einstein Bros. Bagels, will lead brand, consumer, menu and partnership strategies as the chain tries to return to unit count growth.

Former Potbelly CEO Bob Wright takes the helm at Wendy’s as the burger chain navigates same-store sales challenges and an ongoing turnaround strategy.

The fast-casual Mediterranean chain outperformed competitors with significant traffic growth and raised its full-year guidance following a strong first quarter.

The burger chain is reintroducing its iconic orange-and-white A-frame architecture as a universal design element for new market expansion.

Wetzel’s Pretzels and Cold Stone Creamery are accelerating their co-branding strategy with plans to open at least 17 joint units across multiple states in 2026.

Dine Brands accelerates unit growth with 24 openings in Q1

The fast-casual burger chain has hired Michelle Hook to lead its financial operations as the brand continues its aggressive expansion toward 1,500 units.

McDonald’s reported a 3.9% increase in U.S. same-store sales for the first quarter, credited to successful marketing collaborations and new menu innovations.

Michelle Hook has stepped down as Chief Financial Officer of Portillo’s after a four-year tenure that included the restaurant chain’s 2021 initial public offering.

Subway experienced a net loss of 729 U.S. locations in 2025, continuing a decade-long contraction of the brand’s domestic restaurant footprint.

The fast-casual chain is scaling high-efficiency kitchen hardware across its footprint and expanding test programs for automated drone delivery to improve operational metrics.

Brinker International reported high demand for Chili’s updated hand-breaded chicken sandwich platform, contributing to 20 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth.

Hooters, a franchise heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, is trying to revamp its image with a new fast-casual offshoot named Hoots Wings.