McDonalds next evolution includes menu, service and technology upgrades
McDonald’s unveiled McDonald’s Next, a new strategy focused on menu improvements, technology investments, restaurant upgrades and hospitality.
Jun 2, 2026
McDonald’s unveiled McDonald’s Next, a new strategy focused on menu improvements, technology investments, restaurant upgrades and hospitality.
Jun 2, 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
Learn how to franchise a restaurant by building systems, protecting your brand, choosing franchisees, and supporting consistent long-term growth successfully.
May 29, 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
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
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
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
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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Discover how El Pollo Loco is accelerating growth through new openings and remodeling efforts in 2026 despite economic uncertainties.

El Pollo Loco's ambitious plans for 2026 involve accelerating its store openings despite the current macroeconomic challenges surrounding tariffs. The chain's CEO mentioned how their flexible format enables the company and franchisees to seamlessly fit into second-generation spaces, taking advantage of restaurant closures by converting them into El Pollo Loco outlets. This adaptability not only allows for cost-effective expansion but also promises improved financial returns as the brand spreads its footprint across the nation.

In addition to new store launches, El Pollo Loco is actively engaged in a significant remodeling initiative in 2026, with plans to renovate 60 to 70 restaurants this year alone. The management is strategically remodeling half of the system over the next four years, employing a two-tiered approach. Restaurants will undergo either a low-cost, five-year refreshment or a more extensive 10-year remodel investment. This strategic remodeling effort aims to enhance customer experience, rejuvenate the brand image, and boost overall sales performance.
Despite a slight systemwide sales decline in the first quarter, El Pollo Loco remains optimistic about quarterly improvements in the coming months. The brand is gearing up for a relaunch on May 15 and plans to introduce new menu items, including quesadillas, during the summer to attract more customers. With a focus on accelerating growth and executing a comprehensive five-point plan that includes enhancing hospitality, refining branding, embracing digital initiatives, and strengthening restaurant-level margins, El Pollo Loco is poised for success in 2026 and beyond.