QSR INDEXMCD 292.41 +0.8%SBUX 84.12 −1.2%YUM 148.77 +0.4%QSR 68.90 +1.1%CMG 48.15 −0.3%DPZ 421.55 +2.1%WING 244.63 +3.4%SHAK 96.20 −0.7%WEN 14.02 +0.2%69 CHAINS TRACKED · UPDATED DAILY

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Marketing & GrowthMAR 20, 20269 MIN READ

Geofencing and Location-Based Marketing: How QSR Brands Are Driving Foot Traffic in 2026

QSR brands are deploying geofencing and location-based marketing at scale in 2026, combining first-party loyalty data with precise location signals to drive foot traffic, improve conversion rates, and compete for every transaction in real time.

Industry AnalysisMAR 20, 20267 MIN READ

Five Guys: The Anti-Franchise Franchise

No drive-thrus. No freezers. burgers. Five Guys built a billion brand by breaking every QSR rule. Why the model works - and why it won't scale like McDonald's.

Oldest

Domino's vs Pizza Hut: A Tale of Two Turnarounds

Domino's bet on technology and delivery. Pizza Hut clung to dine-in real estate. One is worth B and growing. The other is closing 250 stores and fighting for survival.

Industry AnalysisMAR 20, 20265 MIN READ

Popeyes After the Chicken Sandwich Boom: Did They Keep the Momentum?

Five years after the legendary chicken sandwich launch, Popeyes' same-store sales grew just 0.6% in 2024. Did the boom fade, or did operational chaos kill the momentum?

Industry AnalysisMAR 20, 20266 MIN READ

How Taco Bell Went From Punchline to Innovation Powerhouse

Under CEO Sean Tresvant, Taco Bell transformed from late-night joke to QSR innovation leader. Doubling innovation output, tripling international footprint, targeting M AUVs and 10,000 units.

Industry AnalysisMAR 20, 20265 MIN READ

What Changed After Roark Capital's $9.6 Billion Subway Acquisition

Roark Capital paid $9.6 billion for Subway in the largest franchise deal ever. 18 months later: 600+ more closures, franchisee pushback, and a brand still searching for a turnaround.

Technology & InnovationMAR 20, 20267 MIN READ

Why Sweetgreen's Robotic Kitchen Could Change Fast Casual Forever

In a small restaurant in Naperville, Illinois, a machine assembled 300 salads during a lunch rush. No human hands touched the ingredients after prep. A conveyor system measured portions, dispensed ...

Operations & ManagementMAR 20, 20268 MIN READ

Dutch Bros' Drive-Thru-Only Model and Its Unit Economics vs. Starbucks

Dutch Bros operates from drive-thru-only locations that average around 950 square feet. No indoor seating. No mobile order pickup shelves. No sprawling cafe patios. Just a small building, a drive-t...

Industry AnalysisMAR 20, 20267 MIN READ

The Real Cost of a Raising Cane's Franchise and Why the Waitlist Is 5+ Years

Walk into any Raising Cane's location during a lunch rush and the line will be out the door. The Baton Rouge-born chicken finger chain has become one of the most talked-about brands in American qui...

Finance & EconomicsMAR 20, 20267 MIN READ

How Wingstop's Asset-Light Model Created the Highest Franchisee Returns in QSR

In a sector where franchisee bankruptcy filings have become routine and multi-unit operators struggle to service debt, Wingstop stands as an anomaly. The Dallas-based chicken wing chain posted $4.8...

Operations & ManagementMAR 20, 20269 MIN READ

The Economics of Going Small: Why QSR Chains Are Racing to Sub-2,000 Square Feet

Taco Bell's Go Mobile is 1,325 square feet. McDonald's is testing carryout-only boxes. Chipotle's Chipotlane format eliminates dining rooms. The industry's biggest bet isn't on new menu items. It's on smaller buildings.

Finance & EconomicsMAR 20, 20268 MIN READ

How Net-Lease REITs Are Quietly Reshaping QSR Franchise Ownership

Institutional capital is flooding into QSR real estate through net-lease REITs, creating a new power dynamic between landlords, franchisees, and brands. Here's what operators and investors need to understand.

Finance & EconomicsMAR 20, 20269 MIN READ

QSR Franchisee Debt Loads Are Reaching Critical Levels

SBA loan defaults hit a 12-year high in 2024. The 7(a) program posted its first negative cash flow in 13 years. Restaurant lending standards are tightening. For overleveraged QSR franchisees, the math is getting ugly.

People & CultureMAR 20, 202610 MIN READ

Why QSR Employee Retention Programs Keep Failing

QSR turnover exceeds 130% annually. The industry spends billions on recruitment. Most retention programs do not work. The data on what actually does work is clear, but most operators ignore it.

Operations & ManagementMAR 20, 202610 MIN READ

The Hidden Economics of QSR Drive-Thru Lane Design

A single drive-thru lane can process 120 cars per day. A dual lane can push past 140. And Chick-fil-A's four-lane prototype aims for 720 cars per hour. How lane configuration decisions translate directly into revenue.

Technology & InnovationMAR 20, 202610 MIN READ

Food Safety Technology in 2025: What's Real, What's Hype, and What Actually Prevents Shutdowns

IoT sensors prevent shutdowns. Blockchain traceability is mostly hype. Here's what food safety tech actually delivers in 2025.

Finance & EconomicsMAR 20, 20269 MIN READ

The 30% Commission That's Killing QSR Margins (And Who's Fighting Back)

DoorDash takes 30% of your sale. The math doesn't work. Some QSR brands broke free and kept their margins. Here's how.

People & CultureMAR 20, 20269 MIN READ

The QSR Chains With 40% Turnover (And What They're Doing Differently)

Some chains run 40% turnover while the industry averages 73%. The difference isn't higher pay. It's five specific strategies that treat retention as operational science.

PAGE 21 / 36

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