
Cava proves that keeping menu prices down can drive traffic without harming margins
While other fast-casual chains have struggled with value perception over the past year or so, Cava did something simple:
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,

While other fast-casual chains have struggled with value perception over the past year or so, Cava did something simple:

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Robert Byrne, senior director of consumer research with Technomic.

Restaurant operators express skepticism about AI hype at industry show

Fat Brands sold to multiple buyers in $1 billion deal

Usually at the National Restaurant Show, operators are the shoppers streaming through 12 football fields-worth of vendors and exhibitors.

Consumers are more adventurous than ever with their palates and the restaurant industry has responded in earnest with a record number of limited-time offers for the past several years.

We have been at the National Restaurant Show in Chicago this week.

Fast-casual chicken chains see 2.5% decline in unit volumes despite 10.6% sales growth.

Restaurant operators need to stop being afraid of the “I” word.

Trump buys $1 million to $5 million of Kura Sushi stock.

This is from the weekly restaurant finance newsletter The Bottom Line.

Fat Brands reaches $1 billion sale deal with lenders and creditors

Consumer sentiment is at an all-time low — inclusive of pandemic readings — and higher gas prices aren’t providing any relief.

Restaurants introduce summer menus with seafood and ice cream treats.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the fast-food chain’s latest CEO change.

Fat Brands accuses lender of fraud in connection with refinancing

Eggs Up Grill sales rose 32% in 2025, outpacing traditional family dining chains

Some trends are easier to derive in this industry than others.

From a bird’s-eye view, the casual-dining segment had a nice year in 2025.

El Pollo Loco introduces new menu items, including Loco Tenders.

Change has become so common at Jack in the Box over the past few years that it’s almost expected that something big will come up every time the fast-food chain reports earnings.
Culver's and Shake Shack gain market share with 14.2% and 15.2% growth

How does a company bring Chinese takeout into the modern era?

Quick-service pizza sales have been coming back down to earth since the category’s pandemic highs.