Pei Wei Wins Best Fast-Casual Chain Award
Pei Wei Asian Kitchen named Best Fast-Casual Chain in Reviewed 2026 Awards, reflecting shift from price competition to quality and transparency.
Sep 11, 2026
Pei Wei Asian Kitchen named Best Fast-Casual Chain in Reviewed 2026 Awards, reflecting shift from price competition to quality and transparency.
Sep 11, 2026
O'Charley's shuttered all corporate restaurants nationwide on September 9, 2026, ending its 55-year legacy as a casual-dining regional powerhouse.
Sep 11, 2026
Authentic Restaurant Brands lands $325M investment from Trimontium to fuel disciplined regional expansion across five established restaurant concepts.
Sep 11, 2026
Walmart expands restaurant delivery beyond Subway and Dunkin', taking on DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub with Papa Johns nationwide rollout.
Sep 11, 2026
Complete NFL season restaurant checklist covering licensing, AV setup, menu prep, inventory, staffing, and marketing before kickoff arrives.
Sep 11, 2026
California shifts to public enforcement strategy against Dickey's for deceptive franchise disclosures, signaling stricter state-level franchise oversight.
Sep 10, 2026
Paul Brown temporarily steps away from Inspire Brands as Scott Murphy assumes interim CEO role during confidential IPO filing process targeting late 2026.
Sep 10, 2026
Learn how to reduce food waste in restaurants through smarter purchasing, storage, preparation, and service strategies that cut costs.
Sep 9, 2026
Prepare your restaurant for NFL season with smart menu planning, staffing, marketing, technology, and atmosphere strategies that boost season-long revenue.
Sep 9, 2026
Swig signs franchise agreement for 11 South Denver locations, marking Colorado entry and validating its national expansion strategy.
Sep 8, 2026
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Stay up-to-date with the latest news in the restaurant industry. Learn about McDonald's largest franchisee renewal, Nasdaq's warning to Noodles & Company, and TGI Fridays' sale to Mera Global.
Photo by Erik Mclean

Photo by Erik Mclean
One of the significant headlines this week in the restaurant industry was the renewal of McDonald's largest franchisee, Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc.'s agreement. As the world's largest independent McDonald's franchisee, Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc., based in Latin America, signed a new 20-year Master Franchise Agreement with the fast-food giant. The new MFA came into effect on January 1, 2025, replacing the previous arrangement. A key feature of the renewed agreement is an additional renewal option at McDonald's discretion for the following 20 years from January 1, 2045.
In other news, the Nasdaq Stock Market issued a warning to Noodles & Company regarding its share price. The fast-casual noodle chain was notified by Nasdaq that its share price had fallen below the exchange's minimum bid price requirement of $1 per share for more than 30 consecutive business days. This notification puts Noodles & Company in a position of noncompliance with the exchange rules, signaling potential challenges for the company's stock performance and market position.
Mera Global LLC, a Mexico-based company, made headlines by successfully acquiring five TGI Fridays units at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and several others in Maryland. The acquisition came through a ruling in TGI Fridays' Chapter 11 bankruptcy case, where Mera Global emerged as the highest bidder with a bid of $34.5 million. This move showcases strategic business decisions in the restaurant industry, demonstrating opportunities for growth and expansion even in challenging market conditions.

Photo by Erik Mclean
Aside from these major stories, several trending items have captured the attention of readers on NRN.com this week. From new menu additions at popular chains like Del Taco, Chick-fil-A, and Dunkin' to insights into the dynamic landscape of the restaurant business, there is a plethora of information available to industry enthusiasts. Stay informed and stay ahead by keeping an eye on the latest developments in the foodservice sector.