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,
One of Todd Penegor’s first priorities after being named Papa Johns CEO in August 2024 was to optimize the menu to focus on core offerings while “paving the way for more impactful products.”
Naya got its start as a build-your-own-bowl concept but with a different spin than most Mediterranean-leaning fast casuals.
Tom Curtis, the president of Burger King, took so many calls earlier this year from customers after giving out his number that, on weekends, he was only allowed to take them on his porch.
Popeyes had its worst quarter in about 20 years to start 2026, with same-store sales down 6.5% and systemwide sales down by 3.9%.
Applebee’s is arguing that a franchisee’s purchase last year of the Logan’s Roadhouse chain violated its franchise agreement and is asking a court to step in.
A group of Fat Brands creditors is suing the company in bankruptcy court, asking to have a judge determine whether potential buyers of the restaurant chain operator need to pay $195 million in various claims before any sale can be finalized.
KFC CEO Scott Mezvinsky plans to modernize the brand with new sauces and menu items.
Bread Zeppelin pauses franchising to prove model with 10 units.
After a long sale period, the private-equity firm Roark Capital bought Subway in 2024 in a $9.6 billion deal, with some of the purchase price coming in the form of an earn-out provision.
Editor's note: This story has run in the print edition of Nation's Restaurant News and is available here for RB+ subscribers.
Fat Brands lenders object to sale over unpaid management fees
For the past several years, the growth story in the restaurant industry has been written by chicken chains.
This is from the weekly restaurant finance newsletter The Bottom Line.
Refreshers to grow 130% on menus over the next four years.
Tomo Takahashi, who founded the now 75-unit Jinya Ramen chain, earlier this month launched a more elevated flagship restaurant called simply Jinya.
This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks the latest earnings report from Starbucks, its best in more than two years.
Earlier this week, the barbecue chain Smokey Bones posted an announcement on its website, officially acknowledging what numerous media reports already figured out, that the chain was shutting down.
Hooters CEO Neil Kiefer sees signs of life after bankruptcy
During Wingstop’s first quarter earnings call Wednesday, CEO Michael Skipworth painted a detailed picture of the chain’s recent growth, including the addition of over 1,000 new restaurants since 2023, as well as the more
Sysco CEO Kevin Hourican says the company will not raise prices at Restaurant Depot
Raise your hand if you haven’t introduced a line of beverages called Refreshers over the past two years.
Market data shows independent restaurant counts declined by 2.3% in 2025 while major chains expanded their footprints by 1.5%.
Yum Brands omits KFC U.S. same-store sales from earnings report.
Independent restaurants decline by 2.3% in 2025, chains grow 1.5%