Cinnamon roll bakery chain with signature frosting
Should you own multiple brands under one roof? We examine the portfolio strategy sweeping franchising, including co-branding economics, operational complexity, and whether diversification actually reduces risk.
March 19, 2026
An in-depth analysis of how Roark Capital, Inspire Brands, JAB Holding, and other PE firms are transforming the restaurant landscape.
March 19, 2026
March 19, 2026
The same design principles that keep gamblers at slot machines are being adapted for QSR dining rooms and drive-thru lanes. Color psychology, lighting temperature, menu board placement, and queue architecture are all being redesigned using insights from the world's most optimized spending environments.
March 19, 2026
Scent marketing in QSR goes far beyond letting food smells waft through the HVAC. Leading chains are working with fragrance companies to design, amplify, and deploy specific scent profiles that drive foot traffic, increase dwell time, and trigger purchase behavior.
March 19, 2026
McDonald's McFlurry machine is broken again, and increasingly, chains aren't bothering to fix it. QSR dessert menus are shrinking as operators focus on items that actually move, and the vacuum is being filled by third-party brands and frozen treat partnerships.
March 19, 2026