Learn when to sell franchise locations by evaluating financial performance, operations, market conditions, lease terms, and long-term business goals carefully.
Jul 20, 2026
Wingstop adds 382 U.S. units to 3,056 total as comps dip; 2026 outlook hinges on loyalty, Smart Kitchen, and category tailwinds.
Jul 20, 2026
Topgolf Media Networks turns 100+ venues into an ad platform with 42M visits and 28,000 screens, tapping retail media tactics for measurable brand activations.
Jul 20, 2026
Domino’s leverages rising order volumes to boost revenue and market share despite industry challenges in Q2 2026, offering key lessons for restaurant owners.
Jul 20, 2026
Discover how Fresh off the Boat in Santa Ana has built a thriving, health-focused Mexican-Mediterranean fusion restaurant. Explore operational insights, business strategies, and the customer experience that set this unique concept apart.
Jul 20, 2026
Burger King launches its “Your Way Champion” managerial role, focusing on guest experience, order customization, and staff engagement. Restaurant operators can glean insights for elevating hospitality in their own venues.
Jul 20, 2026
If your restaurant is busy but profits feel thin, food cost is usually the first place to look. Not because it is always the problem, but because it is the most controllable variable in your P&L.
Jul 20, 2026
Thomas Keller Restaurant Group will pay $2M to settle an EEOC harassment and retaliation case tied to Bouchon Las Vegas, closing a long-running action from 2018.
Jul 19, 2026
Fresh Kitchen names Bill Knopf and Matt Livingston to lead operations and development as the clean-label bowl brand targets growth beyond 100 locations.
Jul 18, 2026
Hardee’s franchisee Superior Star filed Chapter 11 after a 2023 deal revealed unpaid taxes, costly repairs, and lease burdens; plans to reject leases and refocus.
Jul 18, 2026
Explore how automation is reshaping the restaurant industry, focusing on Donatos' innovative strategies and the wider trend towards AI integration.
Under the leadership of CEO Kevin King, Donatos has positioned automation as a core strategy to drive efficiency and enhance customer engagement. By leveraging technology, particularly AI and innovative menu approaches, the company aims to increase customer frequency while empowering employees to focus on delivering exceptional hospitality.
Revmo’s AI system, seamlessly integrated into Donatos' point-of-sale platform, offers advanced capabilities such as secure credit card processing over the phone and intelligent coupon recognition. The system's proprietary 'INSANO Mode' voice engine provides customers with a personalized, human-like ordering experience, streamlining the process and reducing errors and wait times.
Technology plays a pivotal role in Donatos' growth strategy as it targets increased comparable sales and store-level EBITDA margins. By signing multi-unit deals and expanding into new markets like North Carolina, Virginia, and Texas, Donatos is building a robust system to scale its operations. The focus on automation is particularly vital in Texas, where the company envisions establishing 100 locations over time.
Donatos is not the only restaurant chain embracing automation; several others like Taco Bell, Bojangles, Wendy’s, Torchy’s Tacos, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, and Portillo’s are investing in technology to improve operational efficiency. From drive-thru voice AI systems to phone AI ordering and even computer vision for enhancing drive-thru speeds, automation is becoming a standard across the industry.
