
Chili’s traffic keeps rising. Can its restaurants keep up?
Chili's parent company Brinker International has reported 22 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth, but faces challenges with throughput.
Restaurant Business is a publication in Burnaze's franchise knowledge graph, mentioned since 2016. 741 stories link here, each summarized from the original publisher. * El Pollo Loco CEO Liz Williams and P.F. Chang's CEO Jim Mazany will discuss brand transformation in an executive exchange session, focusing on driving innovation and growth while staying true to their brand roots and values [[2026-10-30 Leader to Leader, An Executive Exchange Session - The Foundation of an Influenti (a256ad)]]. * DoorDash has proposed a $17 billion acquisition of Instacart, a grocery delivery company, which could increase its dominance in the delivery market and give it more leverage over restaurants and supermarket brands [[2026-10-30 How will the DoorDash-Instacart deal affect restaurants (1bb87d)]]. * Christine Barone, CEO of Dutch Bros, is being honored as the 2026 Restaurant Leader of the Year for leading Dutch Bros to significant growth and transforming the drive-thru experience [[2026-10-30 Restaurant Leader Of the Year Award and Fireside Chat (52fca0)]]. * Burger King's King Jr. meals have seen a 40% sales growth, driven by adults, with the company's same-store sales rising 8.4% in the U.S. last quarter [[2026-10-30 More Burger King customers are getting kids’ meals, and not just kids (555035)]]. * NCR Voyix has launched Aloha Next, a modern and nimble POS system, which is being tested by Bruster's Ice Cream and will be rolled out to its 230 locations by the end of next year [[2026-10-30 NCR Voyix rolls out a more modern Aloha (af35d7)]]. * Chipotle's recruitment of Fernando Machado as chief brand officer has led to successful marketing campaigns, including the 100 Creators campaign and limited-time offers like Pollo Asado and Chili Lime Chips [[2026-10-29 Chipotle’s BOGO barrage is paying off (ba27cf)]]. * Nelson Peltz's Trian Fund Management has made an official offer to buy Wendy's for $7.35 per share, a 20% premium from the company's closing price on Tuesday [[2026-10-29 Nelson Peltz tries buying low on Wendy’s (260d6f)]]. * PopUp Bagels, a bagel concept, ranked first in the 2026 Future 50 list after starting its first drive-thru in 2021 and expanding to 23 locations through franchising by 2025 [[2026-10-29 PopUp Bagels (a10830)]]. * Qahwah House, a Yemeni coffee cafe, has expanded to 29 locations across the US with $28.8 million in sales, a 56% year-over-year increase [[2026-10-29 Qahwah House (7e8b08)]]. * Prince Street Pizza, founded by the Morano family in 2012, has expanded across the US and Canada with a menu featuring traditional and specialty pizzas [[2026-10-29 Prince Street Pizza (bb00e2)]]. * Toastique's founder Brianna Keefe opened the chain's first location in Washington, D.C. and has since expanded to over 65 locations nationally through franchising [[2026-10-29 Toastique (578b8c)]]. * Mexican Sugar Cocina,

Chili's parent company Brinker International has reported 22 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth, but faces challenges with throughput.

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

Consumers rate The Cheesecake Factory's atmosphere highly, with 92% rating it as 'excellent' or 'very good,' according to Technomic Ignite data.

Starbucks expects a slower pace of development in the current fiscal year to rebuild its development pipeline.

Join us for a special Fireside Chat to honor Christine Barone, CEO of Dutch Bros, as the 2026 Restaurant Leader of the Year.

El Pollo Loco and P.F. Chang's CEOs discuss brand transformation

There are some big potential deals in the restaurant industry.

This week, DoorDash dropped a bomb with a $17 billion agreement to acquire the grocery delivery provider Instacart.

Burger King's King Jr. meals see 40% sales growth, driven by adults.

NCR Voyix rolls out Aloha Next POS to restaurants like Bruster's Ice Cream

Chipotle’s recruitment of industry veteran Fernando Machado as chief brand officer seems to be paying off so far.

After months of questions about whether Wendy’s former chairman would buy the company, Nelson Peltz’s Trian Fund Management has made an official offer for the fast-food chain.

In Dylan Mendelsohn’s eyes, Dig Inn is a produce-driven restaurant company, and his mission is to provide chef-crafted meals that are nutritious, sustainable, and delicious.

This concept is the fast-casual offshoot of Au Cheval, a casual-dining restaurant by Chicago hospitality company Hogsalt, founded by Brendan Sodikoff, whose cheeseburger has developed legendary status.

Landing in the top spot of the 2026 Future 50 is PopUp Bagels, a concept that started selling bagels and schmears at its first drive-thru in 2021.

This Yemeni coffee cafe strives for authenticity, starting by sourcing beans grown in Yemen, where the founder's family has been cultivating arabica coffee for eight generations.

True to its name, Prince Street Pizza's first location is on Prince St., in New York City's SoHo neighborhood.

Toastique's founder Brianna Keefe opened the fast-casual chain's first location in Washington, D.C.

The upscale Mexican concept takes great care to create an authentic experience for diners.

Wing Snob has 65 units, mostly in Michigan and Chicago

Hummus Republic's sales grew 3% year over year with 44 units.

Talkin' Tacos has grown to 36 locations across the US
Founded in 1952, Randy's Donuts continued its growth trajectory in 2025, adding four new domestic locations.
The family-owned, Southern California tavern concept offers an approachable menu that does not cut corners.