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!
Explore how Whataburger's operational strategies, menu innovations, and leadership transition are shaping the brand's future in the competitive QSR industry.


With the appointment of Jessica Reicher as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Whataburger has signaled a strategic shift towards focusing on operational efficiency and team development. Reicher's extensive experience in leading operations at major restaurant chains like Arby's positions her well to streamline Whataburger's operational processes and drive consistent service quality across the brand's expanding footprint.
Reicher's track record at Arby's, where she significantly improved sales, customer satisfaction scores, and reduced labor turnover, showcases her ability to implement effective operational strategies that yield tangible results. Her experience at other renowned brands like Red Robin, Fuddruckers, and Pizza Hut International brings a wealth of diverse perspectives to Whataburger's operational framework.

In a competitive market, menu innovation plays a crucial role in attracting and retaining customers. Whataburger's 2025 strategy, which includes introducing meal bundles and premium beverages, reflects a nuanced approach to meet evolving consumer preferences. By offering value-driven meal bundles and trendy drink options, Whataburger aims to enhance customer engagement and drive traffic during key dayparts.

Debbie Stroud's promotion to CEO and Jessica Reicher's appointment mark a significant leadership transition at Whataburger. With Ed Nelson's retirement, the brand is entering a new phase under fresh leadership. Stroud's successful stewardship, evident from the chain's continuous growth and market expansions, sets a solid foundation for Reicher to build on. This transition underscores Whataburger's commitment to nurturing top talent and ensuring a seamless evolution.