RB Daily

California's Fast Food Council has gone dormant. Here come the 2026 restaurant industry predictions. And a 10-unit wood-fired pizza concept is getting some growth funding.

Chick-fil-A is making a major strategic change to its non-traditional restaurant portfolio. Velvet Taco has named a new CEO. And KFC's Saucy concept will add three new locations in the next several weeks.This episode of Restaurant Daily is sponsored by O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Cream. Visit ⁠⁠https://www.okeeffescompany.com/restaurantdaily⁠⁠ and use code NRN for 15% off your first order.

Starbucks is paying millions to settle labor scheduling violation allegations. Romano's Macaroni Grill is dwindling. And a big restaurant holding company has a new CEO.This episode of Restaurant Daily is sponsored by O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Cream. Visit ⁠https://www.okeeffescompany.com/restaurantdaily⁠ and use code NRN for 15% off your first order.

Subway franchisees are not loving the chain's new loyalty program. The parent company of Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's and more is getting a new CEO. And the fast-casual sector is facing some headwinds. This episode of Restaurant Daily is sponsored by O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Cream. Visit ⁠https://www.okeeffescompany.com/restaurantdaily⁠ and use code NRN for 15% off your first order.

Papa Johns has kicked off its refranchising effort. Wingstop is quickly inching closer to its goal of becoming a top 10 restaurant brand. And  franchisees are suing Round Table Pizza over marketing.

P.F. Chang's wants to be an everyday option. Shake Shack is looking for a new CFO and restaurant sales are up, but fast food sales are not.

FAT Brands lenders want their money. Noodles & Company has announced retention bonuses in case of a sale. And US Foods and Performance Food Group have ended talks that would have created the country's largest broadline food distributor by revenue.

Looks like a struggling pizza chain might soon have a new owner. Starbucks had a very big Red Cup Day this year. And international expansion can be tricky business for restaurants.

Jack in the Box had a tough fourth quarter. Cracker Barrel's logo fallout has led to the loss of a board member. And jobs in restaurants and bars continued to trend upward in September.

Chicken's popularity doesn't concern the biggest chicken chain in the world. Consumers' dine-out preferences are changing. And emerging chain Luna Grill has started to figure out a good cost equation for its business.

Panera Bread wants to return to its glory days. Topgolf has a new owner. And the parent company of Papa Murphy's may be for sale.

A Freddy's Frozen Custard franchisee has filed for bankruptcy. Velvet Taco's CEO is leaving after 8 years with the brand. And Popeyes has launched an exclusive collaboration with a horror film.

Luckin Coffee could go public, again. Menu price inflation is moderating. And why restaurant lenders are being more picky right now.

Starbucks is enjoying some holiday cheer. Pura Vida Miami has won a private equity investment. And Shakey's wants to be your neighborhood pizza parlor again.

Carl's Jr is taking a swipe at McDonald's. Congress is trying to pressure Starbucks to move forward with a union contract. And will the IPO market make a comeback?

P.F. Chang's has its second new CEO this year. Bifurcated consumers are impacting sales results. And Red Robin's executives are optimistic, despite falling revenue.

Sweetgreen is looking to capitalize on the current protein craze. Sardar Biglari is getting an assist in his fight against Cracker Barrel. And Burger King has big plans in China.

Wendy's will close hundreds of U.S. restaurants in the coming months. Sweetgreen is selling its Spyce technology to Wonder. And beef inflation is putting pressure on Texas Roadhouse.

An Outback Steakhouse turnaround plan is in the works. Tijuana Flats has a new owner. And Papa Johns is not for sale.

The Snack Wrap and value helped McDonald's last quarter. Wingstop is developing its first loyalty program. And Taco Bell is innovating on its signature Baja Blast flavor.

Pizza Hut appears to be on the hunt for a buyer. Denny's is going private for the first time in decades. And Wingstop is feeling the impacts of consumer anxiety.

Starbucks is going on offense. Wendy's sees a silver lining in its Frosty program. And TGI Fridays' U.S. manager has acquired its counterpart across the pond.

Popeyes is working through a slump. El Pollo Loco is improving profitability, and New York's Waldorf Astoria is back and better than ever.

Chipotle downgraded expectations for the year – again – after a disappointing third quarter. The world's largest franchise group is adding a new brand to its portfolio.  And Burger King's focus on its signature Whopper is paying off.

It was another big quarter for Chili's. Get ready for a Cheesecake Factory app. And a pub chain has a new owner.

Chili's is bringing back its Skillet Queso following a swift outcry on social media. 7 Brew is leading the coffee segment in traffic as bigger coffee chains struggle. And Taco Bell continues to expand its Live Mas Cafe beverage concept.

Yet another ghost kitchen operator appears to be shrinking. An investment gadfly is speaking out against Cracker Barrel. And here's why technological redundancies just may be a good thing.

Cracker Barrel's CEO has spoken out about “logo-gate” for the first time. Dunkin' is getting ready to run in the afternoons. And The Consumer Price Index was published Friday after a 10-day delay.

Potbelly is now officially owned by a convenience-store chain. Perkins has a new CEO. And there are some looming questions as we approach third-quarter earnings.

A turf war between Big Boy operators appears to be over for now. FAT Brands has moved to settle one of the lawsuits filed against the company. And traffic remains negative, despite another year of record-breaking LTOs.

Cracker Barrel is debuting a new training program. Will the No Taxes on Tips rule create more wage disparity? And Starbucks is testing a new assistant manager program.

The ongoing federal government shutdown is expected to take a toll on Cava and Sweetgreen. Potbelly is the latest chain to crowd up the battleground over wraps. And a Pizza Hut UK franchisee is insolvent.

Restaurant franchising is seeing success right now, with some caveats. The Trump Administration's immigration push is having wide-reaching impacts on the restaurant industry. And here's how Walmart's new ChatGPT partnership could affect the restaurant industry.

Del Taco has been sold. DoorDash is partnering with Waymo for driverless delivery. And this chain's new ad campaign was created entirely with AI.

The Lemonade fast-casual brand is closing locations. Bravo and Brio are under new management. And what Cava can teach us about M&A.

Domino's isn't bullish, despite its strong sales. Taco Bell is bringing back its Crispy Chicken lineup with a new sauce. And Josh Kern has been named CEO of a brunch concept.

Deal fatigue appears to be hitting fast food. 7 Brew has opened its milestone 500th stand. And Wendy's is accelerating its expansion in Mexico.

Popeyes is ramping up its presence in Mexico. Teenagers are cutting back significantly on dining out. And Cotton Patch Cafe is making a big comeback.

Wendy's is looking to the former CEO of Taco Bell for turnaround help. McDonald's Snack Wrap drove a lot of traffic. And here's how to get your restaurant to show up on AI search.

After nearly 30 years in business, Iron Hill has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. Domino's has unveiled its first brand refresh in 13 years. And Chipotle founder Steve Ells wants to reinvent the fast casual segment again - This time, with sandwiches.

ChatGPT is adding food delivery options. Long John Silver's is trying to lure younger diners. And the grocery store is becoming a growing restaurant competitor.

Round Table Pizza franchisees are taking issue with their parent company's ad spending. Long John Silver's wants to be known as more than a seafood chain. And does political affiliation impact restaurant spending?

Cracker Barrel has ended its relationship with the consultancy that oversaw its brand refresh initiatives. Bruegger's Bagels locations in Cincinnati are being rebranded. And Taco Bell is launching its biggest Taco Tuesday promotion.

Restaurant hiring is slowing. A chain that just filed for bankruptcy is blaming discounting by its competitors for some of its woes. And 93-year-old Krystal is finally introducing a loyalty program.

The Starbucks union has won negotiations for baristas affected by last week's closures. Big Chicken is working out some post-acquisition challenges. And Habit Burger is extending its meal deal.

DoorDash wants to do more for restaurants than just deliver. There's a new chicken tender player in town. And Yum Brands CEO David Gibbs retires this week.

Bots played a big role in the Cracker Barrel logo backlash. A Chinese restaurant tech giant is looking to make inroads in the U.S. And Burger King is really leaning into Halloween.

We tried some of McDonald's new CosMc's-inspired beverages. Five restaurants are among the most magnetic brands in America. And Starbucks' traffic remains a challenge.

Starbucks is planning dozens of store closures and hundreds of layoffs as it looks to reverse sliding sales. A brewery chain has suddenly closed all of its locations. And Popeyes is accusing a former franchisee of trademark violations.

It remains to be seen if Portillo's will continue to expand outside Chicago. Dine Brands uses one simple criterion to prioritize tech investments. And Panera is welcoming fall with two Gilmore Girls stars.

Portillo's has ousted its CEO. Subway franchisees are fighting back against store remodels. And Bojangles' largest franchisee has been acquired by private equity.