Panda Express releases blind-box bag charms featuring mascot

August 4, 2026

Panda Express is introducing a newly illustrated version of its mascot, Pei Pei, with a digital storytelling series and a limited-edition collectible drop…

Arby's intros Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich to Meat & 3 value box

August 4, 2026

Arby's has introduced a Buffalo Ranch Chicken Sandwich to its lineup, and it is available as part of the brand's Meat & 3 value box, according to a press…

How Urban Bird Hot Chicken turned a bad lease into a fast-growing brand

Brandon and Chantel Gawthorp built 32 Wingstop franchises across three states over 20 years, then let it all go to bet on themselves. They opened the first…

Bloomberg: Taco Bell told of potential contaminated lettuce July 2

by Valerie Gritton

August 3, 2026

Bloomberg News has reported that Michigan Health officials alerted local Yum Brands executives of a potential Cyclospora-contaminated lettuce supply July 2, 1…

Krispy Kreme names 2 to leadership team

August 3, 2026

Krispy Kreme has appointed Suk Nicholas as chief commercial officer and Lori Suess as chief people officer. Both appointments are effective immediately…

Traffic counts show signs of recovery post Cyclospora

August 3, 2026

Restaurant chains that experienced sharp declines in foot traffic following the recent Cyclospora outbreak are beginning to recover, although some brands…

KFC Canada enters beverage market with Kwench drink menu

August 3, 2026

KFC Canada is launching Kwench, a made-to-order beverage brand that marks the company's first expansion outside its core food category in its Canadian history…

3 leaders every Founder must hire to scale

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

To successfully scale a company and transition from an overwhelmed operator to a confident CEO, founders must stop trying to manage everything themselves and…

Krispy Kreme to open 1st Mauritius location this year

August 3, 2026

Krispy Kreme has partnered with ER Group to bring the doughnut chain to Mauritius, with the first shop expected to open later this year, according to a press…

Long John Silver's store count retracts amidst same-store sales growth

July 31, 2026

Long John Silver's once had 1000-plus restaurant locations across the United States. That number has now declined to slightly less than 500, according to a new…

Baskin-Robbins fights 'Sundae Scaries' with charitable August campaign

July 31, 2026

Baskin-Robbins is donating $1 from every sundae purchased on Sundays in August to the Baskin-Robbins Joy in Childhood Foundation to support children facing…

How AI-powered digital signage drives QSR growth in 2026

by Misty Chalk — Vice President of Sales, Americas, BrightSign

To navigate economic uncertainty and declining consumer sentiment in 2026, quick-serve restaurants can drive growth by investing in AI-powered digital signage…

Co-branded Wetzel's Pretzels, Cold Stone Creamery store opening in the Bronx

July 31, 2026

Wetzel's Pretzels and Cold Stone Creamery are expanding their footprint in the Bronx with a new co-branded store located at 1957 Turnbull Avenue, according to…

Popeyes tests tipping prompts on self-order kiosks amid 'tipping fatigue' debate

July 30, 2026

Popeyes is testing tip prompts on self-order kiosks at about 12 food court locations, including one at Great Lakes Crossing Mall in Auburn Hills, Michigan…

Star Micronics, Operandio partner for digital food safety labeling

July 30, 2026

Star Micronics, a global provider of point-of-sale hardware and printing solutions, integrated with Operandio, an AI-powered operations platform for franchise…

Yum Brands COO Tracy Skeans retiring after 25 years; Nai De Leon named successor

July 30, 2026

Yum Brands COO and Chief People and Culture Officer Tracy Skeans is retiring, according to Chris Turner, CEO of Yum Brands, in the brand's earnings call this…

Yum! Brands posts strong Q2 as Taco Bell leads growth

by Valerie Gritton

July 30, 2026

If the song "Break My Stride" was tied to restaurant company, perhaps Yum Brands fits the bill. Coming off a Cyclospora outbreak linked to its Taco Bell chain…

Whataburger taps restaurant vet Ryan Moore as CFO

July 30, 2026

Whataburger has appointed restaurant finance veteran Ryan Moore as its new chief financial officer, effective July 31. Moore brings 16 years of industry…

Restaurant catering doesn't need more tech. It needs better tech

Catering companies have plenty of tech options. The key is selecting the right ones for maximum efficiency.

Cyclospora not an easy trace, says supply chain expert

by Valerie Gritton

As the largest Cyclospora outbreak in U.S. history continues to unfold, restaurant operators are once again facing the reputational fallout of a food safety…