Fast-casual burger chain with premium ingredients and modern brand
550 locations, $1.88M AUV, and 70% of new openings from existing franchisees. How Freddy's combines burgers and custard for franchisee profitability.
March 20, 2026
Wendy's is closing 6% of its U.S. restaurants and launching a sweeping operational overhaul called Project Fresh. For the number-three burger chain, the stakes could not be higher.
March 20, 2026
The restaurant industry lost 29,700 jobs in February 2026 alone. Turnover still exceeds 100% annually at many chains. Wages rose 6.3% in 2024 and keep climbing. Here is what the BLS data and industry reports actually show about the QSR workforce.
March 20, 2026
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.
Inspire Brands, JAB Holdings, and Restaurant Brands International control 100,000+ locations. Private equity owns more QSR brands than ever. The consolidation wave shows no signs of slowing.
Fast food meals range from 300 to 3,000 calories. Subway and Panera offer healthiest options while Five Guys tops calorie counts. Complete chain comparison with sodium and sugar analysis.