Wendy’s launches Dave’s Way turnaround, makes breakfast optional, as Q3 sales, earnings decline

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

Wendy’s reported declining Q3 sales and earnings as it introduced Dave’s Way, an operational turnaround strategy focused on improving restaurant execution…

McDonald’s looks to value, digital offers to reignite U.S. growth

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

McDonald’s third-quarter results showed signs of improving momentum, with international markets and digital promotions helping drive growth, even as softer…

What the 2026 midterm results could mean for restaurants

by Cherryh Cansler , Valerie Gritton

The 2026 midterm election results could reshape federal policy affecting restaurant brands, putting immigration reform, credit card processing fees and trade…

5 takeaways: Yum! Brands looks to loyalty, beverages, tech to fuel growth

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

Following its Pizza Hut divestiture, the company is sharpening its focus on KFC, Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill while investing in menu innovation, digital…

Solink's $100M bet: AI vision intelligence

Solink sees AI Vision Intelligence as a potential trillion-dollar software category as it expands beyond security into operational performance, revenue growth…

KFC unveils next-generation restaurant concept in Dubai

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

KFC is unveiling KFC Muse, it's next-gen, two-story restaurant in Dubai. In partnership with Americana Restaurants, KFC Muse showcases the brand’s evolved…

How CoffeeNow brews delivery in a cup

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

In this two-part series, we highlight two emerging businesses, Sunfly and CoffeeNow, as the next wave of beverage-brand startups. Here's a look at CoffeeNow…

Beverage innovation comes to drive-thru and delivery

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

In this two-part series, we highlight two emerging businesses, Sunfly and CoffeeNow, as the next wave of beverage-brand startups. Up first, how Sunfly is…

Olo app launches to 40M users

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

Building on Olo’s evolution from consumer-facing startup to restaurant technology provider, thenew Olo app offers a streamlined alternative to third-party…

Restaurant food costs face uneven pressure in 2027 as inflation accelerates

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

Rising gasoline prices are adding to inflationary pressures, while ArrowStream forecasts sharply different commodity costs across restaurant segments, with…

As QSRs elevate beverage menus, ice quality takes the spotlight

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

New research from Aqua-Pure Water Filtration points to growing consumer interest in filtered water and ice quality as restaurants expand premium beverage…

Beyond the remodel: Subway's Blueprint signals a new era of restaurant design

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

As brands rethink their restaurant designs and layouts, smaller footprints and increased access to digital ordering reflect a push for greater convenience and…

Uber’s ezCater deal puts catering growth, margins and customer loyalty in focus

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Uber's agreement to buy ezCater could put workplace catering in front of a much larger audience. For restaurant operators, however, the announcement raises a…

FCES keynote: To go far, go together

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

Chicken Salad Chick’s story shows that scaling successfully isn’t necessarily about moving faster or constantly reinventing the brand. It’s about knowing what…

Valentina Ellison brings airport restaurant experience to automated vending

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Valentina Ellison, CEO and co-founder of Evolvending, is drawing on nearly two decades in airport concessions and nontraditional restaurants to expand…

Inside Meritage Hospitality’s bankruptcy: Beef costs, closures and a battle with Wendy’s

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

Meritage Hospitality Group’s Chapter 11 filing reveals mounting pressures behind one of Wendy’s largest franchise operators, from declining sales and soaring…

5 site selection lessons Dairy Queen uses to drive smarter QSR growth

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Dairy Queen’s Tara Fried Vigil shared why using AI-driven data, boots-on-the-ground research and a realistic look at municipal timelines should shape a QSR’s…

Beyond the paycheck: How Canary helps restaurant brands turn compassion into action

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

As financial emergencies put increasing pressure on frontline workers, emergency-relief provider Canary is demonstrating how employers can turn a people-first…

Webinar: Order accuracy as the next loyalty battleground

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

In this “Accuracy is the New Loyalty” webinar, Star Micronics’ Craig Kaliebe discusses how labeling, smart scales and other verification tools help operators…

The restaurant of tomorrow takes center stage at #QSRNext 2026

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

#QSRNext 2026 will bring together restaurant executives and industry leaders to explore the forces reshaping quick service, including AI, drive-thru…