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.
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.
With $6.6 million in average unit volume and 90% company ownership, Todd Graves has built the most in-demand franchise opportunity in America by refusing to franchise.
Droughts in key agricultural regions are driving commodity price spikes and supply disruptions. Here's what smart operators are doing about water and climate risk.
Fast food used to mean cheap. Now a McDonald's meal costs $12 to $14 and customers are noticing. Here's how we got here and what chains are doing about it.
The ghost kitchen revolution promised to reshape restaurants. Three years later, most are dead. Here's what survived and why the economics work for some but not others.
Flynn Restaurant Group operates 2,600+ restaurants generating $4.8 billion annually. Sun Holdings runs 1,500+ locations with $1.9 billion in sales. These mega-franchisees aren't just bigger - they're fundamentally different businesses with institutional capital, centralized operations, and acquisition expertise that's reshaping the franchise industry.
A sourced U.S. reference separating 2026 restaurant forecasts, current prices and employment, historical fast-food consumption and chain sales definitions.
Popeyes' 2019 launch went viral. Chick-fil-A captured 41% market share. Raising Cane's became the dark horse, knocking off KFC. Seven years later, the wars matured into permanent category competition. Execution beats hype. Unit economics beats social media engagement.
Western QSR giants are betting billions on emerging markets where rising middle classes and urbanization create massive growth runways.
Beyond Meat's stock is down 97% from its peak. The McPlant flopped. But the plant-based QSR story isn't over — it just changed.
A comprehensive analysis of the Quick Service Restaurant industry in 2026. Market size, trends, challenges, opportunities, and forecasts for operators and investors.