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 the growing trend of food-focused convenience store designs, with a focus on Kent, 7-Eleven, and GPM Investments. Learn how these retailers are innovating their operations to meet customer demands.

Kent, a leading mid-size retailer in the U.S., has embraced the trend of food-focused convenience stores by creating an 'all-in-one destination' concept. This approach involves integrating made-to-order kitchens and drive-thrus into their locations, with a particular focus on their Kwik Eats Deli. The menu at Kwik Eats Deli covers a wide range of offerings, catering to all dayparts from breakfast to dinner. Customers can enjoy items like breakfast burritos, skillets, burgers, pizza, and chicken sandwiches, providing a diverse and satisfying food selection.

In addition to enhancing their food offerings, Kent has also made significant investments in car wash services, a staple in the convenience store industry. With around a dozen car wash locations already in operation, Kent ensures that these facilities are open 24 hours a day to cater to customers' varying schedules. Some locations even have staff on-site during specific hours, enhancing the overall customer experience. By combining food and car wash services, Kent aims to create a comprehensive destination for consumers seeking convenience and quality.
While the exact locations of Kent's first food-focused stores remain undisclosed, the retailer is strategically positioning its new sites. For instance, the upcoming store in Midland, Texas, will be situated in close proximity to other key competitors like 7-Eleven and FEMSA-owned gas stations. This strategic placement allows Kent to tap into existing foot traffic while offering a differentiated experience to attract more customers. By analyzing market dynamics and competitor locations, Kent aims to maximize its reach and visibility in the convenience store landscape.
Kent's foray into food-focused convenience stores mirrors a broader industry trend where retailers are revamping their operations to prioritize foodservice. Notable competitors like 7-Eleven have announced ambitious plans to open hundreds of food-centric stores, indicating a shift towards catering to evolving consumer preferences. GPM Investments has also joined the fray with its Fas Craves foodservice program, highlighting the competitive nature of the convenience store sector. As consumer demand for fresh and convenient food options continues to rise, retailers are adapting their strategies to capture this growing market segment.