Restaurant openings, closures, chef news, and the dining scene in cities around the world.
Even for Desperate Restaurants, Fake Reviews Just Aren’t Worth It
A new research paper reveals the steep cost of fake reviews for restaurants. Yi Cao, an assistant professor of accounting at George Mason University, …
I Put KFC & Popeyes’ Chicken Sandwiches Head-To-Head—Here’s The Winner
KFC's Classic Chicken Sandwich delivers juiciness and texture. The breaded chicken fillet sits on a toasted bun with pickles and mayo, and the meat pr…
McDonald’s Is Reportedly Bringing Back Pokémon Happy Meals With 15 Tiny Collectibles
McDonald's is reportedly preparing a Pokémon Happy Meal collaboration to mark the franchise's 30th anniversary, set to run from November 10 through De…
I Tried McDonald’s & Burger King’s Apple Pies—And I Have A Clear Favorite
McDonald's Apple Pie features a traditional pie crust, real apple chunks, and a goopy filling, though the cinnamon and caramel notes taste somewhat ar…
Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint acquired by Green Shoot Brands
# Green Shoot Brands Expands Casual Dining Portfolio With Jack Brown's Acquisition Green Shoot Brands has acquired Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint, …
Marco's Pizza opens an Operations Center of Excellence in Orlando
Marco's Pizza, the Ohio-based chain with over 900 locations across the country, has opened a new Operations Center of Excellence in Orlando, Florida. …
Domino’s, tariffs, and influencers
# Domino's Faces Headwinds From Tariffs While Influencer Marketing Reshapes Pizza Delivery Wars Domino's Pizza confronts a shifting landscape of tari…
We Tried Every Flavor of the Famous Soup Dumplings That Are Constantly Selling Out — There Was One Clear Favorite
# Soup Dumplings Get Ranked: Why Pho Beats Pork at Mila Soup dumplings have exploded into American food consciousness over the past decade, transform…
Inside the New D.C. Restaurant That Only Sells Five Curry Steak Frites Every Night
Justin Ahn and Alex McCoy have built a restaurant concept around radical constraint. Alfie's, their new permanent location in Washington, D.C., sells …
Family-owned Estiatorio Milos is seeking a strategic partner to help fund growth
Costas Spiliadis, founder of Estiatorio Milos, is shopping for a strategic investor to fuel the luxury Greek restaurant group's international expansio…
Former Chili’s workers allege sex and race discrimination in tip credit lawsuit
# Chili's Faces Class Action Over Tip Credit Abuse Claims in New York Former workers at a Manhattan Chili's have filed a proposed class action lawsui…
Chipotle brings back Smoked Brisket after two-year hiatus
Chipotle Mexican Grill has reintroduced Smoked Brisket to its menu, marking the return of a protein that previously drove customer traffic during its …
Taco Bell extends PepsiCo partnership through 2036
Taco Bell and PepsiCo have locked in their partnership through 2036, extending one of the quick-service restaurant industry's most productive corporat…
Taco Bell re-ups with Pepsi, QSR pizza scores a win, and Wendy’s is all yellow
# Taco Bell Doubles Down on Pepsi While QSR Pizza Chains Celebrate, Sweetgreen Eyes Beverage Expansion Taco Bell has renewed its long-standing bevera…
Casey’s doubles down on pizza innovation
Casey's General Stores, the Iowa-based convenience store giant with over 2,600 locations across the United States, is escalating its assault on tradit…
Denny’s ties free meal giveaway to long-shot World Series triple play
Denny's is betting on baseball history repeating itself. The casual dining chain has launched a promotion that ties a free meal giveaway to an event s…
De Babel opens its second location in Scottsdale
De Babel, the Middle Eastern halal restaurant group, has launched its second location in Scottsdale while simultaneously opening a dedicated commissar…
Fogo de Chão to launch Protein Plates starting at $45
# Fogo de Chão Launches Protein Plates as Chain Doubles Down on Meat Value Fogo de Chão, the Brazilian churrascaria chain operating roughly 60 locati…
Restaurant traffic has a positive impact on surrounding businesses, OpenTable reports
# Restaurant Traffic Creates Economic Spillover Effect on Surrounding Businesses OpenTable's latest analysis reveals that restaurant patrons generate…
Former Shake Shack chef John Karangis joins Sweetgreen as its head of culinary
John Karangis, who previously led culinary operations at Shake Shack, has joined Sweetgreen as head of culinary. The appointment marks a significant t…
Habit Burger is encouraging guests to pay it forward
# Habit Burger Rolls Out "Habit Hour" Pay-It-Forward Program to Drive Traffic and Build Community Habit Burger Grill has launched "Habit Hour," a dai…
This restaurant loyalty program offers the most bang for your buck
Domino's Rewards program delivers the fastest route to a free pizza, landing it atop a new value analysis from The Points Guy. The pizza chain's loyal…
Taco Bell/Pepsi, Bojangles, and the pizza segment
# Fast Food's Corporate Shuffle: How QSR Giants Navigate Brand Consolidation and Category Competition The restaurant industry's consolidation wave co…
Bonanno Concepts' latest restaurant, Rōmyō, focuses on Itameshi cuisine
# Bonanno Concepts Launches Rōmyō, Blending Italian and Japanese Cuisines in Denver Bonanno Concepts, the Denver-based restaurant group behind acclai…
Has Substitution Culture Gone Too Far?
# Has Substitution Culture Gone Too Far? One Chef's Stand Against Endless Menu Customization Chanita Chayaluk opened Taan, her Thai restaurant and wi…
The Best Culinary Resorts in the United States
# The Best Culinary Resorts in the United States Hospitality leaders now recognize a fundamental shift in how travelers book vacations. Food drives d…
The company behind PLNT Burger is launching a plant-based café
PLNT Burger's parent company is expanding beyond its namesake burger concept with the launch of PLNT Café, a new all-day dining format arriving in Was…
Gen Korean BBQ restaurants will be rebranded or converted under new ownership
Chubby Cattle Group's acquisition of 47 Gen Korean BBQ locations marks a significant consolidation in the Korean barbecue casual dining sector. The co…
Hai Hospitality to open an Uchi restaurant in Boston next year
Hai Hospitality is bringing Uchi to Boston, marking the Chicago-based hospitality group's first Northeast footprint for the acclaimed Japanese restaur…
Bret Thorn learns about picanha, Brazil’s signature cut of beef
# Bret Thorn Discovers Picanha at Fogo de Chão: Inside Brazil's Most Prized Beef Cut Bret Thorn, a seasoned restaurant editor, recently visited Fogo …
Zaxbys takes the sauce battle straight to Raising Cane’s doorstep
Zaxby's has escalated the competitive chicken wars with a bold marketing stunt that turns the fast-casual category into theater. The Georgia-based cha…
A big Wendy’s franchisee could close up to 60 restaurants
Meritage Hospitality Group, a major Wendy's franchisee, plans to close up to 60 restaurants as it navigates Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection sought la…
Where Chef Eric Sze Eats on His Day Off in NYC
Chef Eric Sze, owner of Wenwen in New York City, shares his weekly eating habits around the city, visiting bakeries, pizzerias, and restaurants when h…
Tropical Smoothie Café signs 40-unit franchise deal with Aurify Kingstar
Tropical Smoothie Café has signed a 40-unit franchise agreement with Aurify Kingstar, a newly formed holding company under New York-based Aurify Brand…
Enjoy Fishing, Foraging, and Focaccia-Making at These U.S. Resorts
Resorts across the United States now offer hands-on culinary experiences that extend beyond traditional restaurant dining. These properties invite gue…
Delmonico’s Hospitality Group launches the new Boogie Bakery & Bistro in New York City
Delmonico's Hospitality Group opened Boogie Bakery & Bistro in New York City as an all-day bakery and restaurant featuring on-site sourdough productio…
The Best Gifts for Martini Lovers (Besides an Ice-Cold Martini)
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West Coast Sourdough sues former CEO and franchisees amid other legal disputes
West Coast Sourdough has filed a lawsuit against its former CEO and franchisees, accusing them of using the chain's brand identity to launch a competi…
These Resorts Offer a Real Taste of American Regional Cuisine
American resorts are experiencing renewed popularity among travelers seeking simplified vacation planning, according to Eater. The appeal centers on a…
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery brings on new COO as it nears 70 restaurants
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery appointed Amy Hom as Chief Operating Officer last month, according to Nation's Restaurant News. The move marks the second signi…
Joey continues its U.S. expansion, opening a second location in Dallas
Joey, a Canada-based restaurant chain, opened its second U.S. location in Dallas, according to Nation's Restaurant News. The upscale establishment ser…
The 38 Best Restaurants in Rome, According to a Best-Selling Local Cookbook Author
# The 38 Best Restaurants in Rome, According to a Best-Selling Local Cookbook Author Roman cuisine reflects the city itself, layered in tradition and…
Jersey Mike's rolls out Mini Bundles for $7.99
Jersey Mike's Subs introduced Mini Bundles priced at $7.99 as a limited-time offering targeting younger diners. According to Nation's Restaurant News,…
Menu Tracker: New items from Bojangles, Culver’s, and Smoothie King
Bojangles, Culver's, and Smoothie King have introduced new menu items as part of ongoing product innovation across the quick-service restaurant sector…
Starbucks, ezCater, and Subway
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Outback touts steak quality with new ‘Best Steaks Ever’ lineup
Outback Steakhouse launched a new "Best Steaks Ever" lineup as part of efforts to enhance its steak quality and appeal. The chain has focused on impro…
The 38 Best Restaurants in Tokyo, According to a Local Expert
Tokyo's restaurant scene centers on shokunin, a Japanese concept describing artisans who dedicate themselves obsessively to mastering a single skill. …
McDonald’s, ezCater, and 7-Eleven
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The Fine Dining Flip
Chateau Royale's arrival in New York City last year marked a turning point in fine dining, reflecting what Grub Street's Matthew Schneier describes as…
Portillo’s chief people officer to depart
Jill Waite, chief people officer at Portillo's, will depart the company effective November 1. Waite joined the Chicago-based chain in 2019, according …
Chicago’s Muhājir Honors the Spice Route with Flame-Grilled Food From Across the World
Chefs Zubair Mohajir and Jacob Dela Cruz opened Muhājir in Chicago this summer, a wood-fired restaurant that draws from culinary traditions across Eur…
How Chick-fil-A is helping one organization address food insecurity
Chick-fil-A has donated more than 58,000 meals to The Bowery Mission since 2018, according to Nation's Restaurant News. The Bowery Mission operates in…
Casa Bonita accused of unfair labor practices by the NLRB
The National Labor Relations Board has accused Casa Bonita, the Denver-based Mexican restaurant owned by the creators of "South Park," of unfair labor…
The 38 Best Restaurants in Mexico City, According to a Local Culinary Guide
Mexico City's dining landscape reflects the capital's diverse food traditions and culinary evolution, according to a curated list by Eater. A food wri…
Kyuramen moves into co-branding with three concepts under one roof
Kyuramen, a ramen chain, has launched a co-branding model that consolidates three distinct concepts under a single fast-casual restaurant format. The…
Taco Bell teams up with Duolingo for Global Taco Day
Taco Bell partnered with language-learning app Duolingo for Global Taco Day, according to Nation's Restaurant News. The collaboration features a limit…
Cava recruits CMO from outside the restaurant world
Cava, the fast-casual Mediterranean chain rapidly expanding across North America, has hired John Ludeke as chief marketing officer. Ludeke joins from …
New York-based Ray’s Hometown Bar is now open in Detroit
# Ray's Hometown Bar Plants Its Flag in Detroit Ray's Hometown Bar, the New York institution known for its casual, unpretentious approach to drinking…
How emerging chain Hawaiian Bros plans to bump AUV from $2.5M to $3.5M
# Hawaiian Bros Charts Path to Higher Unit Economics With Aggressive Growth Strategy Hawaiian Bros, the Kansas City-based acai bowl and smoothie chai…
John Dillon steps down as CEO, president of La Madeleine
John Dillon has stepped down as CEO and president of La Madeleine, the Texas-based bakery-café chain known for French-inspired pastries and fresh-bake…
The Hottest New Food Show Is a ‘Making the Restaurant’ Series
# The Behind-the-Scenes Trend Reshaping How Restaurants Tell Their Stories Television coverage of restaurants has shifted. The days of pure competiti…
Starbucks, Chipotle, and TGI Fridays
# Major Fast-Casual Giants Face Shifting Dynamics as Industry Navigates New Era Starbucks, Chipotle, and TGI Friday's dominate the current restaurant…
El Pollo Loco sets its sights on New York
El Pollo Loco, the flame-grilled chicken chain that pioneered fast-casual Mexican dining across the West, is bringing its expansion strategy to New Yo…
Habit Burger & Grill bets on human connection to fuel expansion
Habit Burger & Grill has appointed Shauna McKenzie-Lee as chief operating officer, signaling a strategic shift toward prioritizing human connection as…
Jollibee embraces differentiation over imitation in U.S. market push
Jollibee Foods Corporation is abandoning the copycat playbook that traps many international quick-service chains in America. Instead of mirroring McDo…
How Josh Hunt is reshaping seafood at Cordelia Fishbar
# Josh Hunt's Seafood Transformation at Cordelia Fishbar Josh Hunt abandoned the classroom to chase seafood. The executive chef at Cordelia Fishbar s…
Red Lobster hires ad agency exec as next CMO
# Red Lobster Names Ad Executive Andy Pitts as Chief Marketing Officer Red Lobster appointed Andy Pitts as its new chief marketing officer, elevating…
Cookbook author Molly Baz does lunch as Sweetgreen’s first Chef in Residence
Molly Baz, the cookbook author and former Bon Appétit test kitchen director, is partnering with Sweetgreen to launch the chain's inaugural Chef in Res…
Dave’s Hot Chicken, Chipotle, and Rock N Roll Sushi
# Fast-Casual Chains Test Bold Flavors and Theater to Capture Market Share Dave's Hot Chicken, Chipotle, and Rock N Roll Sushi represent three distin…
Why next-gen restaurant tech should automate the task, not the moment
# Restaurant Tech Leaders Push for Task Automation, Not Experience Replacement Restaurant technology is at an inflection point. As chains like 7 Brew…
TGI Fridays signs first U.S. development agreement in 10 years
# TGI Fridays Signs Development Deal After Decade of Stagnation TGI Fridays has inked its first U.S. development agreement in a decade, partnering wi…
Grubhub is launching a dine-in rewards program
# Grubhub Pivots to Physical Dining with New Rewards Program Grubhub has officially entered the dine-in business. The delivery giant launched "The Dr…
El Pollo Loco showcases beverage innovation for fall menu
El Pollo Loco leans into fall beverage innovation as the fast-casual chain sharpens its operational leadership. The brand has appointed Damon Thomas, …
Chipotle hits a major Chipotlane milestone
Chipotle Mexican Grill reached a watershed moment in its digital-first expansion strategy this week by opening its 1,500th Chipotlane location. The ra…
I Tried “the Wagyu of Pork,” and It’s the Most Tender Meat I’ve Ever Tasted
# Ibérico Pork Transforms a Skeptic's Palate at Campo Grande The tagline stuck: "the Wagyu of pork." A food writer walked into Campo Grande convinced…
KFC CMO Melissa Cash shares the importance of sauce for the brand
# KFC's Sauce Strategy: How Dipping Sauces Became Central to Chicken Consumption Melissa Cash, Chief Marketing Officer at KFC, has positioned sauce a…
Original ChopShop COO Kyle Frederick promoted to CEO seat
# ChopShop Names Kyle Frederick as New CEO Kyle Frederick stepped into the chief executive role at ChopShop, the fast-casual salad chain, marking a l…
Rock N Roll Sushi names Rick Gestring CEO
Rock N Roll Sushi, the fast-casual sushi chain with locations across the United States, has appointed Rick Gestring as its new Chief Executive Officer…
22 ways restaurants are celebrating National Coffee Day
# Coffee Day Perks: Restaurants Deploy Free Brews and Creative Flavors to Drive September Traffic National Coffee Day arrives as a golden marketing o…
KFC’s new prototype, McDonald’s massive initiative, and Darden’s impressive results
# Fast Food Giants Race Forward With New Technologies and Record Profits KFC, McDonald's, and Darden Restaurants are charting divergent paths through…
KFC, Papa Johns, and Wonder
# Fast Food Giants and Nostalgia Brands Shape Restaurant Landscape The podcast episode from Nation's Restaurant News covers three heavyweight players…
Popeyes introduces a Honey Chicken Biscuit sandwich
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen has launched a new Honey Chicken Biscuit sandwich, priced at $5, featuring an oversized version of the chain's signature but…
Chipotle is bringing its Margaritas back to select cities
Chipotle Mexican Grill returns to the spirits game with the relaunch of margaritas at select locations, marking a strategic pivot back into alcoholic …
Starbird spreading its wings to Washington
Starbird, the fast-casual rotisserie chicken concept, has locked in aggressive expansion plans for Washington state. The company intends to open 15 lo…
Cracker Barrel sees traffic improvement as strategy is ‘on the right track’
# Cracker Barrel's Traffic Turnaround Shows Early Momentum Under New Leadership David Deno arrived at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store six weeks ago …
California Pizza Kitchen redefined chain pizza in the 80s using a strategy that still works
# California Pizza Kitchen's Four-Decade Strategy Still Defines How America Eats Pizza Rick Rosenfield built California Pizza Kitchen into a cultural…
DoorDash, Golden Corral, and Wingstop
# DoorDash Expands Reach While Golden Corral and Wingstop Navigate Market Shifts The restaurant delivery and dining landscape continues reshaping its…
Pastry Chefs Agree: These Are the 3 Best Cakes You Can Order Online
# Pastry Chefs Name the Three Best Mail-Order Cakes Worth Ordering Ordering cake online has become a legitimate alternative to local bakeries. Profes…
New on the Menu: Three seafood dishes and a pork chop
# Restaurant Updates: Four New Dishes Reshaping Spring Menus Restaurants across the country are rolling out fresh offerings this season, with seafood…
A look at KFC’s new Open House restaurant prototype
# KFC Tests Dallas Prototype to Revive U.S. Presence with "Open House" Concept KFC has opened an experimental restaurant prototype outside Dallas des…
7-unit Dave’s Hot Chicken franchisee files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
A franchisee operating seven Dave's Hot Chicken locations has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, claiming that a major lender sabotaged a multi-million-doll…
50 restaurant groups in the South
# Fifty Powerhouse Restaurant Groups Are Reshaping Southern Dining The South's restaurant landscape concentrates power in the hands of fifty establis…
Dave Shula returns to lead Shula’s Restaurant Group
Dave Shula has stepped back into the restaurant business after two decades away, returning to lead Shula's Restaurant Group as the company charts its …
Chefs Agree: This Is the Absolute Best Bacon You Can Buy
# Chefs Crown North Country Smokehouse as the Gold Standard for Bacon Professional chefs have reached consensus on a question that divides breakfast …
Steal My Food Itinerary: 3 Days in Sifnos, Greece
# A Food Lover's Guide to Sifnos: Why This Cycladic Island Deserves Your Next Greek Escape Sifnos has quietly become one of Greece's most compelling …
Starbucks closures, Burger King AI, Olive Garden sales
# Quick-Service Giants Navigate Labor, Technology, and Diner Demand Starbucks, Burger King, and Olive Garden dominate this week's restaurant news cyc…
Menu Tracker: New items from Taco Bell, Del Taco, and Krispy Kreme
# Fast Food and Casual Dining Chains Race to Refresh Menus with Bold New Offerings The quick-service and casual dining landscape continues its relent…
McDonald’s, Cracker Barrel, and Starbird
# McDonald's, Cracker Barrel, and Starbird: Three Restaurant Stories Reshaping the Industry The restaurant sector moves fast. Three distinct operatio…
At Himkok, One of the World’s Best Bars, Cultural Exchanges Are Key
# At Himkok, Oslo's Iconic Bar, Cultural Exchange Shapes the Craft Cocktail Future Himkok stands among the world's elite cocktail bars, ranking consi…
La Madeleine launches new specialty coffee program
La Madeleine, the French-inspired casual dining chain with locations across North America, has rolled out a specialty coffee program built around espr…
QSR’s biggest competition is the C-store
# Convenience Stores Are Now Restaurants' Fiercest Rival, But Hospitality Offers an Edge Quick-service restaurants face an unexpected competitor. Not…
50 restaurant groups in the West
# Restaurant Giants Are Consolidating Power Across the American West Restaurant groups operating across Seattle, Los Angeles, and other western citie…
50 restaurant groups in the Northeast
# Regional Power Players: Northeast Restaurant Groups Reshape Local Dining Landscapes Fifty restaurant groups now operate across the Northeast, funda…
Look Who’s Franchising Now: Fall 2026 Edition
# Five Rising Restaurant Concepts Bet on Franchise Growth This Fall The franchise model attracts a new wave of restaurant concepts willing to trade o…
Papa Johns offers The Works pizza at discounted price
Papa Johns is slashing prices on its signature offering as the pizza chain battles sliding revenue. The Works pizza, loaded with seven toppings, now c…
KFC unveils 'Open House' prototype as a centerpiece of its U.S. comeback plan
KFC's latest bet on American dominance centers on a single 3,400-square-foot restaurant in McKinney, Texas. The chain calls it "Open House," and it fu…
Cyclospora outbreak put a damper on Olive Garden’s summer
Olive Garden's summer dining season hit an unexpected snag when a cyclospora outbreak tied to contaminated lettuce forced the casual-dining giant to p…
Starbucks is closing another 250 coffee shops
Starbucks announced it will close 250 additional coffee shops across North America, continuing an aggressive portfolio restructuring that began earlie…
Burger King rethinks its drive-thru AI strategy
Burger King encountered an unexpected friction point in its artificial intelligence rollout. The fast-food giant deployed automated ordering systems a…
Here’s Everything You Missed at the Food Party of the Year
# Eater's Annual Food Summit Celebrates LA's Culinary Elite and 2024's Biggest Trends Eater hosted its marquee Off Menu event last weekend in Los Ang…
Cohn Restaurant Group: A ‘family of restaurants’ providing variety to the people of San Diego
# Cohn Restaurant Group Builds San Diego's Dining Landscape Through Decades of Community Roots The Cohn Restaurant Group operates as one of San Diego…
José Andrés Group: Changing the world through the power of food
José Andrés has transformed his restaurant empire into something far larger than fine dining. The Spanish-American chef, who has built a collection of…
TS Restaurants: Finding paradise through fires and floods
# TS Restaurants Turns Hawaiian Values Into Resilience Through Crisis TS Restaurants, a family-owned hospitality group rooted in Hawaiian culture, ha…
America’s Top 200 Restaurant Groups
# America's Largest Restaurant Groups Control Dining Across Every Segment The restaurant industry's power consolidates in fewer hands each year. The …