Wendy’s New Playbook for Traffic & Quality
With traffic and sales slipping, Wendy’s new CEO Bob Wright sets a bold multi-pronged plan to restore food quality, brand value, and operational execution.
Aug 10, 2026
With traffic and sales slipping, Wendy’s new CEO Bob Wright sets a bold multi-pronged plan to restore food quality, brand value, and operational execution.
Aug 10, 2026
Explore practical ways to manage restaurant overhead costs while protecting service quality, employee productivity, food standards, and long-term profitability goals.
Aug 7, 2026
Get more restaurant reviews by creating memorable experiences, asking customers at the right time, simplifying feedback, and monitoring review performance.
Aug 7, 2026
Yum! Brands has finalized a $1.2B deal to transfer Pizza Hut China to Yum China Holdings, signaling big strategic moves for both global franchisors and operators.
Aug 7, 2026
Panera Bread appoints industry veteran Andy Rebhun as Chief Marketing Officer, ushering in a new era of brand growth and consumer engagement.
Aug 7, 2026
Portillo’s trims 18% of its corporate staff in a bid to refocus resources on restaurant excellence and navigate operational challenges. Discover what the changes mean for the chain’s future.
Aug 7, 2026
Portillo’s trims corporate and field roles by 18% in a strategic shake-up to support future growth after soft traffic and sales. Read what this means for multi-unit operators.
Aug 6, 2026
Dutch Bros invests $105 million to acquire Salad and Go’s closed locations, targeting rapid expansion in key southern markets. Learn what this means for multi-unit restaurant owners and operators.
Aug 6, 2026
Scheduling software helps restaurants save time, control labor costs, improve communication, prevent conflicts, support compliance, and make smarter staffing decisions.
Aug 5, 2026
Portillo’s announces industry veteran Kevin Kalicak as its new CFO and Treasurer, underscoring the brand’s growth strategy and financial vision.
Aug 5, 2026
Explore the latest forecasts and trends for the restaurant industry in 2025 based on data from Technomic Ignite Company. Discover what to expect in terms of chain sales, category performance, and key players' movements.
Photo by Andrik Langfield
Chipotle's remarkable performance in 2024 positions it as a formidable player in the industry. With consistent year-over-year sales growth and a strategic value proposition, Chipotle is set to surpass competitors like Burger King and Subway in the upcoming Top 500 report. The chain's accelerated unit growth and international expansion ambitions solidify its place among the industry's top contenders.
Photo by Andrik Langfield
The full-service segment faces significant challenges in 2025, with mass closures affecting major players like Denny’s, Applebee’s, and more. Factors such as rising labor and operational costs, along with increased competition from fast-casual establishments, contribute to the contraction in the full-service chain restaurant count. This shift marks a notable change in the industry landscape.
The chicken category continues to drive industry growth, appealing to younger consumers and offering a variety of choices. Established brands like Chick-fil-A and Popeyes are joined by emerging players like Raising Cane’s and Wingstop, all experiencing double-digit sales growth. The forecast indicates a sixth consecutive year of substantial sales increase for chicken chains, showcasing the category's enduring popularity.
Contrary to the chicken segment, burger chain sales are expected to show sluggish growth in 2025. Industry giants like McDonald’s and Wendy’s are facing challenges with low single-digit sales increases. With an overall sluggish performance compared to previous years, the burger category is encountering obstacles that may impact its standing in the industry.
Despite challenges in specific segments, the overall industry is projected to experience a 4.2% increase in chain sales in 2025. While this growth seems promising, factors like inflation may impact the real value of this growth. Technomic Ignite's forecast provides a comprehensive overview of the industry's trajectory for the upcoming year.