# QSR Weekly Article Roundup: 2025 Week 46

> Source: https://qsr.pro/newsletter/archive/2025/46
> Publisher: QSR Pro


Published articles from week 46 of 2025.

- [The Consolidation Wave: Private Equity Is Rolling Up Regional QSR Chains](https://qsr.pro/articles/the-consolidation-wave-private-equity-is-rolling-up-regional-qsr-chains) — In November 2024, private equity giant Blackstone agreed to acquire a majority stake in Jersey Mike's Subs for $8 billion. The deal came just months after Blackstone purchased Tropical Smoothie Caf...
- [Chick-fil-A's Expansion Strategy: What Every Franchise Brand Can Learn](https://qsr.pro/articles/chick-fil-a-expansion-strategy-franchise-lessons) — Chick-fil-A generates $9.3 million per location while closed every Sunday. How their operator selection, menu simplification, and unit-level focus create a model other franchise brands should study.
- [Gen Z's Relationship With Fast Food](https://qsr.pro/articles/gen-z-relationship-with-fast-food) — Gen Z spends $51 per dine-in visit and $36 on delivery - the highest of any generation. They discover restaurants through TikTok, value transparency over perfection, and toggle between value menus and premium items. Health-conscious but delivery-dependent, socially-driven but price-sensitive - the contradictions aren't bugs, they're features.
- [The Rise of Robot-Made Burgers: Flippy, CaliExpress, and the Automation Frontier](https://qsr.pro/articles/robot-made-burgers-flippy-caliexpress-automation) — CaliExpress operates with one employee per shift using robotic fry cooks and burger bots. Flippy can generate $20,000 monthly profit while Chippy failed at Chipotle. Real labor savings numbers from the automation frontier.
- [QSR Menu Simplification: Why Chains Are Cutting Items](https://qsr.pro/articles/qsr-menu-simplification-cutting-items) — McDonald's removed Snack Wraps to streamline operations, brought them back in 2025. Taco Bell cut 20% of menu items and customers kept coming. Why speed beats selection and how chains use data to identify what to cut.
- [The Economics of a QSR Kitchen Remodel](https://qsr.pro/articles/economics-qsr-kitchen-remodel) — Urban QSR renovations cost $200-350 per square foot - $400K-700K for a 2,000 sq ft location. Full builds hit $1M+. Industry claims 40% sales boosts, but reality varies. What operators actually prioritize: workflow optimization, ventilation compliance, equipment that eliminates bottlenecks. The ROI math, code compliance surprises, and what customers never see but always feel.