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
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Explore how Wendy’s is reshaping its menu offerings to meet changing customer preferences and industry trends.
Photo by Jacob McGowin
Wendy's recent summer promotional lineup encountered operational challenges, prompting a strategic shift in its menu focus. CEO Todd A. Penegor acknowledged that the extensive summer promotions, including beverages, meal deals, and exclusive collaborations, although appealing on paper, posed execution complexities for restaurant teams. To address this issue, Wendy's is simplifying its marketing initiatives in the upcoming quarters. This simplification aims to streamline operations and enhance the overall customer experience by reducing complexities for the restaurant staff.
Photo by Jacob McGowin
One of the key highlights of Wendy's menu development strategy is the introduction of new chicken tenders slated for launch in Q4. These tenders will be accompanied by six distinct sauces, including a tantalizing sweet chili sauce. Wendy's adoption of this chicken-centric approach aligns with industry trends, drawing parallels to McDonald's successful handling of the McCrispy Strips launch. CEO Todd A. Penegor emphasized the appeal of Wendy's tenders against competitors in the QSR space, illustrating the brand's confidence in the new product category.
Photo by Jacob McGowin
Apart from chicken innovations, Wendy's is expanding its beverage portfolio by introducing premium cold brew coffee with cold foam and sparkling energy drinks in refreshing flavors like Pineapple Citrus and Cherry Limeade. These additions not only cater to evolving consumer preferences but also capitalize on the growing trend of energy drinks in QSRs. By leveraging the brand's Coke Freestyle machines for energy drink offerings, Wendy's mitigates operational complexities associated with premium beverages. Moreover, the introduction of cold brew coffee complements Wendy's breakfast menu, aligning with the shift towards cold brew preferences in the QSR coffee segment.