Dave Shula Returns as President of Shula's Restaurant Group
Dave Shula rejoins Shula's Restaurant Group as president, leading growth into Palm Beach Gardens and a 2027 Thomasville, Georgia expansion.
Sep 23, 2026
Dave Shula rejoins Shula's Restaurant Group as president, leading growth into Palm Beach Gardens and a 2027 Thomasville, Georgia expansion.
Sep 23, 2026
McDonald's commits $8.5 billion through 2036 to modernize restaurants, boost cash flow by $100,000 per store, and grow chicken and beverage sales.
Sep 23, 2026
WKS Restaurant Group promotes Jay Spongberg to president and COO after he helped grow the company from 65 to 382 restaurants over 16 years.
Sep 23, 2026
Smokey Mo's BBQ names Von Dawson, a Dine Brands veteran, as VP of Franchise Development to lead its Texas expansion strategy.
Sep 23, 2026
Meritage Hospitality's Chapter 11 filing pulls 5% of Wendy's U.S. stores into bankruptcy, exposing cracks in franchising's bigger-is-safer bet.
Sep 21, 2026
Jack in the Box names Rachel Ruggeri to its board as Michael Murphy retires, amid a CEO transition and deal with investor GreenWood.
Sep 21, 2026
Improve restaurant Google Maps rankings by optimizing your business profile, selecting accurate categories, gathering reviews, adding photos, and strengthening local relevance signals.
Sep 21, 2026
Restaurant inventory tracking helps owners monitor stock, control food costs, reduce waste, improve purchasing, and make informed operational decisions.
Sep 21, 2026
Restaurant owners can significantly reduce restaurant costs by leveraging technology across inventory, labor, procurement, forecasting, and administrative operations for better profit margins.
Sep 18, 2026
Understand how to forecast restaurant revenue and expenses with methods for sales projection, cost scaling, fixed-cost planning, and risk buffering.
Sep 18, 2026
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An in-depth look at how restaurant brands fared in the first half of 2025, exploring the factors contributing to success and challenges faced by industry leaders.
Photo by engin akyurt
Brinker's Chili’s emerged as a clear winner in the fast-food sector during the early months of 2025, marked by a significant sales leap driven by strategic investments in equipment and labor. The introduction of TurboChef ovens enhanced food quality, specifically showcased through the improved texture of new menu items such as ribs. This success highlighted the importance of continuous innovation and operational enhancements in navigating the challenging market landscape.
Value-oriented marketing and menu plays, as seen in Chili’s and McDonald’s approaches, proved vital in overcoming declines in sales. These brands strategically adjusted pricing and introduced new menu items to appeal to cost-conscious consumers. Taco Bell’s focus on Crispy Chicken offerings not only boosted sales but also outpaced competitors in the limited-service category, demonstrating the power of catering to evolving consumer preferences.
Domino’s success story in recovering from a sales stumble highlighted the significance of innovation and value offerings. Collaborations with third-party aggregators and menu additions like stuffed crust pizza showcased Domino’s proactive approach towards growth. Such initiatives allowed the brand to capture market share and stay ahead in a competitive landscape.
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Sweetgreen and Chipotle faced setbacks in the first half of 2025, emphasizing the challenges posed by evolving consumer preferences and economic pressures. Sweetgreen’s ambitious menu innovations backfired, underscoring the importance of balancing experimentation with operational feasibility. Chipotle's struggle with pricing highlighted the complexities of maintaining value perception amidst economic uncertainties.
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The challenging market conditions necessitated swift action for brands like Jack in the Box and Del Taco. Initiatives like Jack’s Way, focusing on operational improvements and increased value marketing, showcased efforts to revitalize struggling chains. However, the importance of proactive value strategies, as opposed to reactive measures, became evident in distinguishing successful turnarounds.
Photo by engin akyurt