Free WiFi, retail partnerships, franchising
Consumers still want free WiFi, even if they’re getting takeout more often. Partnerships are key to retail success stories. And to succeed at franchising, you need a deeper “why.”
May 20, 2025•6 min
Restaurant Daily
Your quick morning dose of the restaurant news you need, every weekday, from the editors of Restaurant Business and Nation's Restaurant News.
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Episodes
MenuMasters, industry uncertainty, THC beverages
The MenuMasters gala awards ceremony recognized industry trailblazers. Uncertainty was a key theme for attendees during Day One of the National Restaurant Show. And THC-infused beverages are a hot topic at this year’s Show.
May 19, 2025•4 min
Twin Peaks CEO, consumers’ favorite brands, Jack in the Box
The owner of Twin Peaks has a new CEO. Consumers’ favorite restaurant brand might come as a surprise. Jack in the Box believes it can find a buyer for Del Taco.
May 16, 2025•4 min
Burger King testing facility, Popeyes operations, big restaurant sales drops
Burger King built its new prototype in a new testing facility. Popeyes is running more restaurants to show franchisees how to do it. And 32 chains in the Top 500 experienced double-digit sales declines in 2024 versus 2023.
May 15, 2025•4 min
Topgolf pricing, Planta bankruptcy, In-N-Out food dyes
One food-and-games chain is testing value offers. A plant-based chain has filed for bankruptcy. And In-N-Out is phasing out some food colorings.
May 14, 2025•4 min
Restaurant traffic, McDonald’s hiring, Luckin Coffee U.S.
Restaurant chains are getting creative when it comes to generating traffic. McDonald’s has plans to hire a lot of people this summer. And Luckin Coffee is making its debut in the U.S.
May 13, 2025•5 min
Restaurant industry downgrade, Texas Roadhouse bounces back, RBI earnings
Here’s yet another indication that 2025 is shaping up to be a brutal year for restaurants. Texas Roadhouse, though, says it is bouncing back from earlier struggles. But Burger King’s parent is feeling the consumer uncertainty.
May 12, 2025•5 min
Krispy Kreme, Burger King, Papa Johns
Krispy Kreme is pausing its McDonald’s rollout. Burger King is changing out franchisees to improve operations. And Papa Johns’ focus on pizza is paying off.
May 09, 2025•6 min
Value messaging, Burger King Whoppers, Caribou Coffee
Two casual-dining chains are rethinking their value messages. Burger King is facing some scrutiny over the size of its Whoppers. And Caribou Coffee is hoping a new celebrity chef partnership will drive traffic.
May 08, 2025•4 min
Portillo’s, Denny’s, Nothing Bundt Cakes
Portillo’s is deciding whether to expand breakfast. Denny’s has pulled the trigger on an aggressive value deal. And Nothing Bundt Cakes is going all-in in San Diego.
May 07, 2025•3 min
KFC-McDonald’s, McDonald’s chicken tenders, tip credit
KFC and McDonald’s are duking it out in the latest iteration of the chicken wars. McDonald’s is hoping the third time’s a charm when it comes to chicken tenders. And Washington, D.C.’s mayor is calling for the return of the tip credit.
May 06, 2025•4 min
Casual dining, Wendy’s, NYC delivery fee cap
Chili’s success may benefit Applebee’s. Wendy’s is making changes to resist consumer pressure. And the long battle over New York City’s delivery fee cap is over.
May 05, 2025•4 min
Olo sale, McDonald’s earnings and Shake Shack
Someone wants to buy Olo. McDonald’s sales took a hit. And get ready for Shake Shack combo meals. Welcome to Restaurant Daily, a look at the most important restaurant news of the day from the editors of Restaurant Business and Nation’s Restaurant News. I’m Jonathan Maze, editor in chief of RB.
May 02, 2025•5 min
Panera’s dough, Wingstop slows, Chili’s surges
Panera is getting out of the fresh-dough business. Wingstop is seeing a sales slowdown. But Chili’s continues its upward trajectory.
May 01, 2025•6 min
Subway closures, Portillo’s activist investor, Sweetgreen COO
Subway closed more restaurants last year. Portillo’s is making nice with its activist investor. And Sweetgreen has a new COO.
Apr 30, 2025•5 min
Culver’s CEO, Crumbl lawsuit, Domino’s Pizza earnings
There’s yet another new CEO in the chain restaurant universe. Dessert chain Crumbl is being sued over the music it uses in social media. And Domino’s Pizza is feeling the squeeze of declining consumer confidence.
Apr 29, 2025•6 min
Chipotle sales decline, Bertucci’s bankruptcy, Uber/DoorDash legal battle
Chipotle blamed its sales decline on consumers slowing their spending. Bertucci’s has filed for bankruptcy for a third time. And the legal battle between Uber and DoorDash is heating up.
Apr 28, 2025•5 min
Jersey Mike’s, Red Robin CEOs, Chipotle sales, McDonald’s chicken strips
There’s big CEO news at two restaurant brands. Chipotle did something it hasn’t done since the pandemic. And McDonald’s is adding a new menu item.
Apr 25, 2025•5 min
Consumer spending, North Italia menu, Currito growth
Consumers are expected to cut back on restaurant spending this summer. North Italia has reinvented its brunch and happy hour menus. And the fast-casual Currito chain is accelerating its growth.
Apr 24, 2025•4 min
Maggiano’s upgrades, Salad and Go CEO, Pizza chains
Maggiano’s is leaning into luxury. With value-focused pricing. Salad and Go has a new CEO. And pizza chains are feeling the pinch from third-party delivery.
Apr 23, 2025•5 min
McDonald’s-Minecraft, Chipotle-Mexico, tech disruptors
McDonald’s is giving thanks for Minecraft. Chipotle is heading to Mexico. And did the potential restaurant industry tech disruptors actually disrupt anything?
Apr 22, 2025•6 min
Crumbl, IHOP, Hooters
Cookie chain Crumbl had a solid 2024. There’s new energy at IHOP. And here’s the inside story of the rise, fall and possible rebirth of Hooters.
Apr 21, 2025•5 min
Taco Bell nuggets, off-premises popularity, Jollibee growth
Taco Bell is bringing back its popular crispy chicken nuggets. About 75% of all restaurant traffic is off-premises. And Jollibee is seeing huge growth.
Apr 18, 2025•6 min
Top 500 Report, Burger King franchisee, uncertainty in the industry
Big restaurant chains struggled last year. Another Burger King franchisee files for bankruptcy. And uncertainty is the word of the moment.
Apr 17, 2025•4 min
Chili’s CEO, Burger King franchisee bankruptcy, Scooter’s Coffee rewards
There’s a new Restaurant Leader of the Year. A big Burger King franchisee declared bankruptcy. And Scooter’s Coffee has a new rewards program.
Apr 16, 2025•4 min
Burger King CMO, Starbucks dress code, consumer confidence
Burger King has a new CMO. Starbucks is modifying its dress code. And consumer confidence fell off a cliff last month.
Apr 15, 2025•4 min
Teen restaurant faves, Portillo’s breakfast, Pacesetter Award
A new survey sheds light on the favorite restaurant brands of teens. Portillo’s is offering up more details on its upcoming breakfast test. Hint: There will be doughnuts. And this year’s Pacesetter Award goes to fast-growing Dave’s Hot Chicken.
Apr 14, 2025•5 min
Lowered restaurant sales projections, Sizzling Platter buyer, March inflation
Data firm Technomic offers a gloomy picture of restaurant sales projections for the year. Giant franchise group Sizzling Platter appears to have a buyer. And March inflation slowed more than expected.
Apr 11, 2025•4 min
Tariff pause, Subway CMO, McDonald’s lemonade
Most, but not all, of President Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs have been paused. Subway has a new chief marketing officer. And McDonald’s has made an upgrade to its lemonade.
Apr 10, 2025•7 min
Biglari-El Pollo Loco, Dave & Buster’s ‘mistakes’, Smalls Sliders CEO
Steak n Shake’s owner has his eyes on a chicken chain. Dave & Buster’s is airing some recent mistakes. And Smalls Sliders has a new CEO.
Apr 09, 2025•5 min
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