Propelled Brands Cuts Camp Bow Wow Startup Costs
Propelled Brands lowers Camp Bow Wow’s investment and standardizes a 6,000-sq-ft prototype to attract multi-unit growth amid a tight real estate market.
Jun 18, 2026
Propelled Brands lowers Camp Bow Wow’s investment and standardizes a 6,000-sq-ft prototype to attract multi-unit growth amid a tight real estate market.
Jun 18, 2026
Blue Bottle launches a 90-minute, machine-free Kyoto-style espresso, bottled for cold drinks across 152 cafés on June 16.
Jun 18, 2026
Yum! Brands will sell Pizza Hut outside China to LongRange for $1.5B and its China unit to Yum China for $1.2B, with deals closing in Q3 2026.
Jun 18, 2026
Toast tops Square, Lightspeed, Clover, SpotOn, and ChowNow as AI and drive-thru tools reshape restaurant POS; market projected to hit USD 44.03B by 2035.
Jun 18, 2026
A missing Lego Star Wars cache puts Bricks & Minifigs in court, testing franchise rules, consignment policies, and brand trust across a 300‑unit network.
Jun 18, 2026
Domino’s launches a $9.99 any pizza deal, adding Parmesan Stuffed Crust through July 26, 2026, timed to the World Cup with gamified rewards and heavy ad support.
Jun 18, 2026
Raising Cane’s opens a 16,000-square-foot flagship by Intuit Dome in Inglewood, blending spectacle and throughput as the chain accelerates global expansion.
Jun 18, 2026
Restaurants race to modernize POS as mobile wallets surge, cloud adoption grows, drive-thru integrations expand, and costs and interoperability shape strategic selection.
Jun 18, 2026
Explore best Areas in Chicago to open a restaurant by matching neighborhood demand, concept type, costs, traffic, and customer behavior.
Jun 17, 2026
Learn how to calculate menu price by analyzing ingredient costs, labor, overhead, demand, and contribution margin for stronger restaurant profits.
Jun 17, 2026
The evolving restaurant operations landscape in 2025, including insights from top industry experts on finance, mergers and acquisitions, investment strategies, and technology solutions.


Industry experts predict a surge in mergers and acquisitions activity in 2025, following a relatively quiet 2024. The stabilization of banking environments and the clearing of highly leveraged transactions from the previous year have set the stage for more investment opportunities. As the industry recovers, there is a growing appetite for high-quality assets, leading to a focus on 'good' exits rather than solely 'optimal' exits.
2025 is expected to see not only an increase in M&A deals but also a rise in initial public offerings (IPOs) in the restaurant sector. With several brands eyeing public offerings and strategic M&A deals, industry players are gearing up for a year of significant activity. Factors like ongoing disruption and market volatility are driving a shift towards strategic moves within the industry.
Despite the positive outlook, uncertainties surrounding the economy and potential policy changes may impact the flow of capital in 2025. Experts emphasize the need for caution and strategic planning in the face of evolving economic conditions. The industry is still cautious about spending and remains focused on cost-saving measures and capital efficiency.
Industry veterans stress the importance of operational excellence and efficiency in navigating the evolving landscape. Focusing on unit economics, enhancing operational processes, and implementing technology solutions are key priorities for restaurants looking to thrive in 2025. The emphasis is on moving from 'struggling' to 'great' by optimizing operations and exploring new sales channels.
In an era of increasing competition and changing consumer preferences, technology plays a vital role in driving growth and enhancing customer experiences. From AI-driven solutions for customer engagement to streamlining operations through inventory management systems and automated reservations platforms, investing in technology is crucial for staying competitive and meeting evolving consumer demands.
As consumers demand more value and quality, operators must focus on execution, service excellence, and maintaining competitive pricing strategies. Adapting to the new normal requires restaurants to innovate, test new concepts, and enhance their offerings to meet shifting consumer expectations while balancing margins and operational efficiencies.