C-Stores Narrow the Gap with Restaurants for Key Metrics in Third-Party Delivery Study

Intouch Insight has released the second edition of its Third-Party Delivery Study, showing that food delivery continues to evolve. For the first time, first-party apps were measured alongside third-party platforms, and they're already firmly in the mix. Meanwhile, convenience stores are closing the gap with restaurants on key measures of customer satisfaction.

"Earning loyalty in delivery comes down to the details," said Sarah Beckett, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Intouch Insight. "Our findings show that accuracy, speed...

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. Names Humera Kassem Chief People Officer

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, a full-service restaurant chain serving an innovative selection of high-quality gourmet burgers, bottomless sides and more, in a family-friendly atmosphere, announced today the appointment of Humera Kassem as Chief People Officer, effective September 15.

In this role, Kassem will be responsible for overseeing Red Robin's organizational strategy and vision centered on the continued strengthening of Red Robin's culture and the advancement of its recently announced First Choice Plan.

"I have had the pleasure of witnessing Humera's impactful...

KFC US Names Melissa Cash as Chief Marketing Officer

Bolstering Powerhouse Leadership Team Poised to Accelerate Brand's Comeback

KFC U.S. today announced Melissa Cash has been named Chief Marketing Officer, effective Sept. 16. Cash will report to Catherine Tan-Gillespie, President of KFC U.S., who previously held the CMO position before her promotion in April 2025.

In her role as CMO of KFC U.S., Cash will be the driving force for the brand's modern marketing strategy, leading brand strategy, calendar, food innovation, integrated marketing, media and communications, consumer insights and analytics and...

Major Restaurant Chains Ramp Up Market Expansion

This week, big players in the foodservice industry, including Chipotle, TGI Fridays, and Qdoba, have unveiled ambitious expansion plans.

By stretching accessibility and strengthening their global presence, these companies are ramping up efforts to reach international markets.

First, Qdoba announced its largest development deal in its brand's history.

The company partnered with Barry Dubin of B Wild Investments in an agreement to develop 50 new QDOBA restaurants across the states of Alaska, Utah, Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico.

It also announced that B Wild Investments has signed...

Restaurant Growth Continues in 2025 Despite Forecasting and Visibility Challenges

Crunchtime Information Systems, an operations management solutions provider for the restaurant industry, shared results of a study conducted in partnership with Technomic. The research was based on a nationwide survey of 300+ multi-unit restaurant operators.

The 2025 Restaurant Growth Insights Report finds that restaurant brands are continuing to grow despite economic headwinds, focusing on scaling more sustainably while identifying critical areas for improvement...

Operators plan to increase new location openings by 20% over the next two years, even as 73%...

TGI Fridays® Doubles Down on Global Expansion

Sugarloaf TGIF Management, LLC ("Sugarloaf"), a privately held company and manager of the global TGI Fridays® brand, announced today the extension of franchise development and master franchise agreements with long-standing franchise partners Franquicias Alimentarias S.A. and Watami Co., Ltd., to expand TGI Fridays® presence throughout Peru and Japan. With agreements in place to develop over 50 new restaurants, these partnerships underscore Sugarloaf's commitment to TGI Fridays' global growth and confidence in the strength of the brand's international business.

Building on a legacy of over 60 years...

Circana Reports Value Menus Drive Restaurant Traffic Growth

This year, many industry players have responded to consumers' demand for affordable value amid turbulent and unpredictable economic times.

The surge in value meals has sparked a competitive wave of advertising and marketing, emphasizing to customers that quality foodservice can be enjoyed without breaking the bank.

Restaurants Embrace the Autumn Shift

The chill is in the air, and as we welcome a new, crisp month, the industry is gearing up for consumers to embrace autumn flavors and seasonal recipes. With the arrival of the new season, people are swapping their cookout favorites and salads for bonfires, comfort food, and Sunday wings.

Retailers are ahead of the curve, rolling out smoky and savory specials to capitalize on the shift, while some focus on attracting budget-conscious customers amidst rising food and labor costs.

More McValue

Starting September 8, McDonald’s will expand its...

Dave's Hot Chicken Accelerates International Expansion with Exclusive European Agreement

Dave's Hot Chicken, the fastest-growing Nashville-style hot chicken sensation from Los Angeles, has finalized a landmark agreement with UK-based Azzurri Group, granting the hospitality powerhouse exclusive development rights across Europe. Under the new agreement, Azzurri Group will develop 180 Dave's Hot Chicken restaurants across 10 European countries, leveraging a joint venture partnership model to team up with experienced local operators in each market. These countries are France, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Italy, and Turkey...

New Resource from National Restaurant Association Provides Insights into Operational Realities

Dampened customer traffic and stubbornly elevated costs combined to keep pressure on the bottom line, resulting in modest profit margins – even by restaurant standards – according to the National Restaurant Association. Released today, the Restaurant Operations Data Abstract provides restaurant operators, investors, and industry leaders with a detailed financial snapshot of the fullservice and limited-service sectors.

Based on financial and operational data from more than 900 restaurants nationwide, the report includes a wide range of insights across key cost centers. These include food and...

Red Robin Reports Results for the Second Quarter

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., a full-service restaurant chain serving an innovative selection of high-quality gourmet burgers in a family-friendly atmosphere, today reported financial results for the fiscal second quarter ended July 13, 2025.

Highlights for the Fiscal Second Quarter of 2025, Compared to the Fiscal Second Quarter of 2024:

• Total revenues are $283.7 million, a decrease of $16.5 million.
• Comparable restaurant revenue(1) decreased 3.2%, including recognition of deferred loyalty revenue. Excluding deferred loyalty revenue, comparable restaurant revenue(1) decreased 1.3%...

Performance Food Group Reports Strong Sales and Profit Growth Despite Decline in Net Income 

One of the largest distributors in foodservice, Performance Food Group, has announced results from its fourth quarter and fiscal year.

Quarterly Highlights

The company saw case volume increase by 11.9%. Independent Foodservice case volume rose 20.4%, while Organic Independent Foodservice case volume increased 5.9%.

Net sales were $16.9 billion, rising 11.5% for the period. Gross profit for the quarter grew 14.6% to $2 billion. This growth in sales and profit can be attributed to recent acquisitions, including that...

The Retail Rundown: Beef Tops Retail Ads as Grocers Prepare for Labor Day

With Labor Day just under three weeks away, grocers are preparing for summer’s last big grilling rush. Most holiday orders have already been locked in, and meat and prepared food departments are expected to see strong traffic as shoppers savor the last days of summer.

Beef has overtaken seafood as the most advertised protein this week, representing 27.0% of retail buying opportunities. Pork is close behind at 26.6%, while seafood has eased to 23.3%. Chicken remains steady at 18%, and turkey ads inched up to 3%...

Diversified Foodservice Supply Appoints Lev Peker as Chief Executive Officer

Diversified Foodservice Supply (DFS), a leading provider of equipment, supplies, and parts to the foodservice industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Lev Peker as Chief Executive Officer.

Peker brings a strong track record of leadership and growth from the automotive aftermarket industry, where he excelled as CEO of PartsID and CarParts.com. There, he successfully scaled operations, enhanced customer experience, and delivered strong financial results. His deep expertise in e-commerce, operational efficiency, and system modernization aligns closely with DFS's strategic priorities...

Armanino Foods Posts Record Sales and Profits in Q2

Armanino Foods announced record-breaking results for the second quarter of its fiscal year.

The company manufactures and markets frozen Italian specialty food items including pesto, sauces, and filled pastas for foodservice and retail markets.

In quarter two, the company accomplished record net sales of $19.9 million, an increase of more than 14% compared to the same period in 2024.

"We are proud to report another quarter of record-breaking sales and profits — a milestone that reflects both the strength of our operating model and our disciplined execution...

US Foods Delivers Strong Q2 Results, Raises 2025 Outlook

In its quarterly results, US Foods' strong performance showed steady progress across key areas of the business.

“Our second quarter performance underscores the strength of our team's continued focus on execution and delivering value to our customers. This momentum has fueled further market share gains with independent restaurant, healthcare and hospitality customers, resulting in record Adjusted EBITDA of $548 million and a 40 basis point increase in Adjusted EBITDA margin to a record 5.4%,” said Dave Flitman, CEO. “Looking ahead, we have a long runway...

UNFI Unveils Top Industry Trends to Help Retailers Plan for the Holiday and Winter Selling Season

During its second Holiday and Winter Selling Show of 2025 in Uncasville, Conn., United Natural Foods, Inc. brought together more than 3,900 attendees, connecting more than 1,400 retailers and over 750 suppliers. Exhibitors showcased thousands of unique products, spanning the natural, organic, fresh, specialty, and conventional grocery categories.

Differentiation that Drives Results

During the show, UNFI experts shared the latest industry insights and emerging growth opportunities to help grocers stand out during the upcoming holiday and winter selling...

Sysco Delivers Strong Q4 and Solid FY 2025 Results

Sysco announced its fourth-quarter and full-year results Tuesday morning.

"Sysco's Q4 results exceeded expectations, as improved financial outcomes were driven by Sysco-specific initiatives and improved restaurant industry traffic. Specific to our business, USFS local volumes improved sequentially by 200 bps, including a strong exit rate in June. Importantly, drivers of our progress accelerated during the quarter, with the momentum continuing in July, an encouraging signal as we begin the next fiscal year of profitable growth" said Kevin Hourican, Sysco’s Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer...

Dickey's Barbecue Pit Responds to Frivolous, False Lawsuit Claims

Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. has issued a statement in response to a lawsuit filed by a former Houston franchisee, asserting that the allegations are false, without merit and misrepresent the company's franchise model.

"Our franchise model is designed to empower our partners as independent business owners," said Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey's Barbecue Pit. "We provide a proven framework for success, brand standards, and a robust business model with an ongoing support system. During the development and construction process, we provide...

The Retail Rundown: Beef Edges Out Seafood in Weekly Protein Features

Beef narrowly edged out seafood for the top spot in retail protein promotions this week, making up 25.9% of all featured items. Seafood was a close second at 25.3%, while pork and chicken each accounted for about 23%. Eggs represented roughly 2% of ads, and turkey dipped below 1%.

Beef steaks remained a premium grilling choice, averaging $14.21 per pound last week. Seafood also led on price, with fresh salmon reaching as high as $17.24 per pound in some regions...

OpenTable and KAYAK Unveil Top 100 Hotel Restaurants Amid Growing Trend of Culinary-Driven Travel

According to new insights from OpenTable and KAYAK, travelers are increasingly choosing their destinations based on where they want to eat.

An OpenTable survey reveals that 47% of Americans have planned a trip specifically to visit a restaurant. Similarly, KAYAK reported a 51% year-over-year increase in travelers using the “restaurant” filter when searching for hotels.

In response to this trend, the two companies have partnered to release their first-ever list of the "Top 100 Hotel Restaurants in America...

Smashburger Expands with Seasonal, Value Menus

Smashburger, one of the nation’s leading better-burger fast casual concepts, is expanding its menu this summer as part of a broader strategy to drive traffic and increase customer engagement.

The brand has launched two new menu initiatives: the "Summer of Smash" limited-time menu and a new All-The-Time Menu aimed at price-sensitive consumers.

The Summer of Smash menu features the debut of the All-Angus Big Dog, available in four builds: Americana, Bacon Cheese, Chili Cheese, and Chili Cheese Jalapeño...

Subway Names Jonathan Fitzpatrick as Chief Executive Officer

Subway, one of the world's largest restaurant brands, today announced that Jonathan Fitzpatrick will join the company as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective July 28, 2025, following a comprehensive search.

With more than two decades of franchising and quick service restaurant experience, Fitzpatrick has a proven track record of elevating sales and operational performance across global networks. Most recently, he served as President and CEO of Driven Brands where he led a best-in-class team to 17 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth...

The Retail Rundown: Summer Travel Drives Foodservice Gains as Retailers Compete for Shoppers

Foodservice is in full swing this summer, fueled by warm weather and vacation season as consumers hit the road and dine out. This Fourth of July, AAA estimated a record 72.2 million Americans traveled domestically—a 2.4% increase from last year and 7 million more than in 2019.

“This year, we're seeing strong demand for road trips, flights, and cruises, especially with the holiday falling on a Friday,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of AAA Travel.

With so much consumer attention on travel and dining out, food...

National Restaurant Association Applauds Trump Tax Bill for Boosting Industry Jobs and Growth

President Donald Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill features tax policies that will assist the restaurant and foodservice industry, the National Restaurant Association said.

The group stated that the bill will enable restaurant owners and operators nationwide to “create jobs, invest in their business, and provide certainty for their local economies.”

“The restaurant industry is a powerful economic engine – generating over $1.4 trillion in annual economic activity and employing more than 15 million people nationwide,” said Michelle Korsmo, President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association...

Applebee’s Expands 2 for $25 Menu with New Entrées

Applebee’s is adding new options to its long-running 2 for $25 value menu, continuing a strategy that dates back to its original 2 for $20 deal launched in 2008. The offer aims to deliver accessible pricing amid shifting consumer demand and rising food costs.

The latest limited-time additions include two new entrees and a fan favorite:

• Chicken Parmesan Fettuccine – Breaded chicken breast with marinara and Parmesan over fettuccine in a Parmesan cream sauce, served with a garlic breadstick.
• Big Bangin’ Burger – Beef patty with American...

Conagra Posts Decline in Sales and Profit for Q4 and FY2025

Conagra Brands has reported financial results for both the fiscal year and fourth quarter.

For the quarter, net sales declined 3.5%, driven by a 2.5% drop in volume and a 1.0% negative price/mix impact. Gross profit fell 12.1% to $707 million, as margins were pressured by inflation and weaker sales. Net income was $256 million ($0.53 per share), while adjusted EPS came in at $0.56. Adjusted EBITDA totaled $544 million.

For fiscal year 2025, net sales declined... 

Burger King Invites Guests to Shape the Menu with New “Whopper by You” Platform

Staying true to its promise, Burger King is giving guests the chance to quite literally “Have it [Their] Way” all summer long.

Beginning July 15 and for a limited time, fans can submit their dream Whopper builds via the brand’s new interactive “Whopper by You” platform.

To kick off the campaign, BK is rolling out its first guest-inspired creation: the BBQ Brisket Whopper and BBQ Brisket Whopper Jr.

The BBQ Brisket Whopper features slow-cooked BBQ brisket, crispy onions, American cheese...

The Retail Rundown: Retailers Push Value to Maintain Protein Momentum

Retail meat clearance over the Independence Day holiday was generally strong, with consumers stocking up on grilling staples for the summer’s flagship cookout occasion.

With few major buying events remaining this summer, grocers will likely push aggressive features and highlight value finds to sustain shopper engagement through the dog days of summer.

Post-holiday protein advertisements show seafood maintaining the lead at 33.1% of retail features, followed by beef at 25.1% and pork at 21.5%. Chicken accounted for 16.2%, while turkey fell to just 2%—half of the previous week's...

Wendy’s Names Interim CEO Amid Leadership Changes

Wendy’s announced the appointment of its Interim CEO Tuesday, following reports of its current President and CEO, Kirk Tanner's resignation. Tanner will depart for The Hershey Company effective July 18.

In response, the Wendy’s Board of Directors has launched a comprehensive search process to identify a permanent CEO.

Meanwhile, Chief Financial Officer Ken Cook has been appointed by the Board to serve as Interim CEO until Tanner’s successor is in place.

"It has been a privilege to lead Wendy's, an iconic brand, and I leave with a sense of gratitude...

White Castle Debuts New Chicken Slider

There's a new Slider in town — and it's bringing a whole new flavor to America's favorite fast-food menu. White Castle, the family-owned fast-food pioneer that's been serving up steamy, craveable Sliders since 1921, is proud to debut its newest permanent menu item: the Crispy Chicken Slider. Bigger. Crispier. Cravier. And absolutely worthy of its own crown.

Made with tender, juicy all-white meat chicken, coated in a crispy buttermilk breading and drizzled with White Castle's flavorful new honeycomb mustard sauce, the Crispy Chicken Slider is sandwiched between the brand's signature...

QDOBA Accelerates Growth with Opening of 800th Restaurant, Surpasses 500 New Development Commitments

On the heels of a record-breaking year of growth and franchise development, QDOBA, America's rapidly growing #2 restaurant brand in the Mexican fast-casual category, today announced that the company has opened its 800th restaurant in Miami, Florida. The new restaurant, located in North Miami Beach at 14583 Biscayne Blvd, marks a significant milestone for the company, which is on track to expand to 1,600 restaurants by 2032.

"QDOBA is the best-kept secret in the restaurant industry and one of the...

Datassential Lists Chick-fil-A as America's Favorite Chain Restaurant

On June 12, 2025, food and beverage intelligence platform Datassential announced the winners of the first-ever Datassential 500 Awards, showcasing the most dynamic foodservice brands in the United States. Notable winners include Chick-fil-A (favorite chain), Crumbl (most unique restaurant menu), and CAVA (best healthy chain).

Founded in 2001, Datassential has been providing food and beverage brands with intelligence tools and consumer insights for more than two decades, including quintessential companies like Starbucks, General Mills, Land O' Lakes, Pepsi, Burger King, and Target...

Circana’s ‘Eat Play Love’ Report Shows Consumer Indulgence Despite Conservative Daily Spending

On June 12, 2025, Circana released its latest report on consumer spending trends, titled “Eat Play Love,” revealing how European consumers are turning to comfort despite ongoing economic pressures, climate concerns, and global conflicts that continually shape daily life.

According to the report, despite exercising frugality with everyday purchases, European consumers are currently prioritizing food retail, foodservice, prestige beauty, and toy purchases, thus indicating a shift towards “self-soothing consumption” and “mini moments of bliss.”

The report leverages Circana's extensive coverage of European consumer goods across hundreds of...

Taco Bell Builds on Crispy Chicken Momentum with New Lineup

After the sell-out success of its tortilla-coated Crispy Chicken Nuggets, Taco Bell is expanding into strips, the next phase in what’s shaping up to be a full-fledged crispy chicken platform.

Starting June 17, the brand debuts Crispy Chicken Strips across tacos and burritos. Made with all-white meat chicken, the strips are marinated in zesty jalapeño buttermilk and breaded in a blend of tortilla chips and breadcrumbs for extra crunch. Each build is layered with shredded cheddar, pico de...