How to Franchise a Restaurant
Learn how to franchise a restaurant by building systems, protecting your brand, choosing franchisees, and supporting consistent long-term growth successfully.
May 29, 2026
Learn how to franchise a restaurant by building systems, protecting your brand, choosing franchisees, and supporting consistent long-term growth successfully.
May 29, 2026
Learn how Father's Day promotions, menus, reservations, marketing, and staff training increase restaurant sales while protecting margins and improving performance.
Jun 1, 2026
McDonald’s unveiled McDonald’s Next, a new strategy focused on menu improvements, technology investments, restaurant upgrades and hospitality.
Jun 2, 2026
Explore the operational secrets and business strategy behind Monty's Good Burgers, a trailblazing vegan restaurant in Los Angeles. Discover how culinary innovation, consistent quality, and strategic customer engagement redefine plant-based dining.
Jun 2, 2026
Dutch Bros delivered one of the strongest quarterly performances in its history during Q1 2026, with a 31% revenue increase, 8.3% same-store sales growth, and unaided brand awareness that has more than doubled in 18 months driven by mobile ordering, food menu expansion, loyalty upgrades, and aggressive market density building.
Jun 1, 2026
Fuel costs are emerging as one of the more unpredictable financial pressures facing quick-service restaurant operators running through supply chains, delivery economics, and consumer spending behavior in ways that are harder to anticipate and manage than traditional cost inputs like food and labor.
Jun 1, 2026
Chipotle is quietly testing a new Crispy Chicken protein option in select California restaurants, marking a potential shift in the chain's menu strategy as it looks to accelerate innovation and tap into one of the fastest-growing food categories in the restaurant industry.
Jun 1, 2026
Red Robin has sold 30 company-owned restaurants in Washington and Western Idaho to multi-unit operator Evergreen Dining for $23.5 million in cash, using the proceeds to pay down debt and fund its First Choice turnaround plan as the chain continues to reshape its ownership structure.
Jun 1, 2026
Operators share how to scale: trust the brand’s playbook, plan people, invest early, and navigate the Hell Zone as multi-unit growth accelerates into 2026.
May 31, 2026
Red Lobster will close its 5 Times Square flagship on June 14, 2026, citing construction and office-to-residential conversion; staff offered transfers and pay.
May 31, 2026
Unlock Exclusive Access To Webinars, Events, And The Latest News For Free!
Discover how restaurants like Applebee’s and IHOP use menu innovation and value programs to drive sales growth and customer traffic.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦
Applebee's has demonstrated a successful strategy of introducing new entrees on a quarterly basis. By launching dishes like Bourbon Street pasta, Sizzlin’ Skillets and Steak, and Chicken Parmesan Fettucine, the restaurant chain keeps its menu fresh and enticing for customers. These innovative additions not only diversify the menu but also align with the brand's value program, such as the Two-for-$25 promotion. Peyton highlighted that each new entree has resonated well with consumers, attributing their success to increased footfall and customer satisfaction.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦
The Two-for-$25 value platform at Applebee's has played a crucial role in driving traffic and sales growth. By combining new menu innovations with attractive pricing, the restaurant chain has effectively captured consumer interest. Peyton emphasized the significance of merging menu creativity with value offerings, citing it as a pivotal factor in the brand's strategy moving forward. Despite a slight decrease in the value mix, the brand's commitment to maintaining an enticing value proposition remains unwavering.
Dine's venture into dual-branded IHOP/Applebee's locations has proven to be a smart business move. The opening of the second domestic dual-branded store in Uvalde, Texas, led to a notable increase in sales compared to the previous standalone unit. This success underscores the synergy between the two brands and their ability to cater to overlapping dayparts effectively. The streamlined construction process and reduced timelines further highlight the operational efficiency and financial benefits of dual-branded establishments.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦
While Applebee's has seen positive outcomes from its menu and promotion strategies, IHOP faced a weaker quarter in comparison. To address sales declines, IHOP has implemented innovative measures like the House Faves value menu and a barbell pricing strategy to balance traffic and average check growth. By bringing creative efforts in-house and targeting younger consumers through platforms like TikTok, the brand aims to reinvigorate customer engagement and appeal.
The restaurant industry continues to grapple with macroeconomic pressures that influence consumer behavior. Dine highlighted how guests are adjusting their spending habits, opting for lower-priced items and reducing orders of beverages and appetizers. These shifts in consumer preferences underline the importance of agility and adaptability in developing menu offerings and pricing strategies to navigate changing market conditions.