Restaurant Daily

A Popeyes franchisee declares bankruptcy. Olo has M&A plans. And what prognosticators say the industry can expect in 2026.

We’ve got lots of takeaways from this week’s ICR Conference. A New York City group has brought a Chicago chain into its fold. And KFC wants to stave off the Sunday Scaries.

Dutch Bros is buying a small coffee chain. Pollo Tropical would like to go public. And restaurant operators in Minnesota are pushing back against the ICE crackdown there.

Fat Brands has a big debt problem. Chipotle is looking for a new chief brand officer. And Jersey Mike’s is heading to Europe.

Noodles & Company is closing more locations than planned. TGI Fridays, meanwhile, has big opening plans. And Darden is on the hunt for more brands.

New dietary guidelines are good news for steakhouses, chicken concepts, and burger spots. Another regional chain is closing its doors. And the demand for healthy menu items is even higher than in Januarys past.

Kura Sushi has some good news. A women-focused sports bar concept has a big-name strategic investor. And an AI drive-thru company just got a cash infusion.

Change is afoot at Savory Fund as it appoints new leaders.  Salad and Go is reportedly closing more units. And a couple regional chains have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Blaze Pizza has a new leader. Another casual-dining chain is shrinking. And here come the chain restaurant discounts.

Dave’s Hot Chicken has a new, very familiar CEO. Chick-fil-A has launched its largest marketing campaign ever. And CAVA is bringing back a fan favorite.

Sprinkles shuts its restaurants down. Noodles stock might cease trading soon. And restaurant stocks had a brutal year.

Krispy Kreme is refranchising. El Pollo Loco is bolstering its board of directors. And Taco Bell keeps adding to its beverage lineup.

One of Sweetgreen’s cofounders is retiring. Darden reported good news. And Chipotle is jumping on the high-protein trend.

Red Lobster is cutting staff. Taco Bell is bringing another product back from the dead. And Qdoba gets an interesting new franchisee.

California Pizza Kitchen has a new ownership group. Some McDonald’s franchisees are upset about the chain’s new pricing strategy. And new economic data presents a less-than-rosy view of the restaurant industry.

This episode of Restaurant Daily is sponsored by O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Cream. Visit ⁠⁠⁠https://www.okeeffescompany.com/restaurantdaily⁠⁠⁠ and use code NRN for 15% off your first order.

Sweet Tomatoes is alive and growing again. Noodles and Company is planning a potential reverse stock split. And Firehouse Subs is in “high growth mode.”

This episode of Restaurant Daily is sponsored by O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Cream. Visit ⁠⁠⁠https://www.okeeffescompany.com/restaurantdaily⁠⁠⁠ and use code NRN for 15% off your first order.

Third-party delivery players are suing New York City over tipping. Chipotle marks a growth milestone. And consumers aren’t necessarily drinking less, they’re just drinking differently.

This episode of Restaurant Daily is sponsored by O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Cream. Visit ⁠⁠⁠https://www.okeeffescompany.com/restaurantdaily⁠⁠⁠ and use code NRN for 15% off your first order.

Cracker Barrel is laying off corporate staff. A fast-casual pizza chain declared bankruptcy. And Shake Shack is growing traffic.

This episode of Restaurant Daily is sponsored by O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Cream. Visit ⁠⁠⁠https://www.okeeffescompany.com/restaurantdaily⁠⁠⁠ and use code NRN for 15% off your first order.