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 the evolving landscape of beverage innovation in the restaurant industry with the emergence of dirty sodas and premium crafted drinks.
Photo by Claudio Schwarz
The emergence of dirty sodas, a trend that gained momentum in the 2010s, has transformed beverage menus in the restaurant industry. Initially popularized in Utah by concepts like Swig, dirty sodas are a fusion of traditional sodas with unique additives such as syrups and creamers, offering consumers a customizable and indulgent experience.
As social media drives consumer demand for premium and Instagrammable drinks, major soda makers like Coca-Cola and Pepsi are adapting their beverage lineups. This shift reflects a growing trend where consumers seek innovative and personalized beverage options beyond the traditional offerings.
Photo by Claudio Schwarz
Restaurant operators view dirty sodas as a strategic way to introduce limited-time offerings that set them apart from competitors. By leveraging such innovative beverages, restaurants can drive higher check averages and attract customers looking for unique flavor experiences, thereby enhancing overall sales performance.
Both Coca-Cola and Pepsi are investing in premium crafted drinks to cater to the evolving preferences of consumers, especially the Gen Z demographic. Offering customization and a mixology experience, these brands aim to create unique beverages based on classic products while incorporating new flavors and ingredients to elevate the drinking experience.
Photo by Claudio Schwarz
Despite the visually striking appearance of dirty sodas, flavors that resonate with consumers' palates continue to drive sales growth. Classic flavors like Blue Raspberry and Mango, coupled with innovative ingredient combinations, have proven to be popular choices. Beverage companies are experimenting with new syrups and flavors to create exciting variations, mirroring the success of established favorites.
With the rising popularity of premium beverages, quick-service restaurant chains are diversifying their drink menus to include unique offerings. From lemonades to freezes and refreshers, brands like McDonald’s, KFC, and Taco Bell are exploring novel beverage concepts to stay competitive and capture the interest of discerning consumers.