Popular Articles

Del Taco's $115 Million Fire Sale: What Jack in the Box's Loss Reveals About Bolt-On Acquisition Risk in QSR

Jack in the Box bought Del Taco for $575 million in 2022 and sold it for $115 million in late 2025. The 80% value destruction in under four years is a case study in what happens when a struggling brand tries to grow by acquisition.

Quality Brand Group Builds an Operating Structure for Expansion

QBG’s latest sales ranking sits alongside a documented expansion of field leadership, training capacity and new-store opening support.

AUG 6, 2026 · 3 MIN READ

MAR 20, 2026 · 10 MIN READ

The QSR Debt Bubble: Are Franchise Loans the Next Subprime?

Overleveraged franchisees, loose lending standards, government guarantees. It's not 2008, but it rhymes. Here's why QSR franchise debt is becoming a problem - and who pays the price.

QSR Franchising Growth Stalls Below 0.5%: Why 2026 Is a Year of Survival, Not Expansion

The International Franchise Association projects QSR franchise growth below 0.5% in 2026, the weakest showing of any major franchise sector. With food costs 36% above pre-pandemic levels, labor costs up 35%, and tariffs hitting supply chains, operators are cutting menus and switching suppliers rather than signing new leases.

MAR 20, 2026 · 7 MIN READ

How Much Does a Marco's Pizza Franchise Cost in 2026?

Marco's Pizza franchise costs range from $287,000 to $807,000. With 1,100+ locations and targeting 80+ new stores in 2026, the brand focuses on quality ingredients and Roma-style pizza.

Wendy's Q4 2025 Earnings: 11.3% Same-Store Sales Plunge Forces a Rebuilding Year

Wendy's posted its worst quarterly same-store sales performance in years, with U.S. comps down 11.3% in Q4 2025. Interim CEO Ken Cook is betting on Project Fresh, a new value menu, and hundreds of closures to reset the brand.

The Global Fast Food Market Is Heading Toward $868 Billion by 2030. Here Is What Is Actually Driving It.

A new Research and Markets report pegs the global fast food market at $658.85 billion in 2025, with a projected rise to $868.19 billion by 2030 at a 5.7% CAGR. The growth is real, but the story behind the numbers is more complicated than any single headline figure suggests.

Dutch Bros’ traffic growth meets higher food and occupancy costs

Systemwide same-shop transactions grew 5.1% in Q1, while company-shop gross margin fell to 20%. Coffee, food and rent weighed on costs.

MAY 6, 2026 · 3 MIN READ

Wendy’s halves dividend as leadership reassesses turnaround spending

Wendy’s August capital decision lowers its quarterly payout while a cash-flow reconciliation and prior guidance clarify what remains undecided.

AUG 7, 2026 · 3 MIN READ

MAR 24, 2026 · 8 MIN READ

Chipotle's Q4 2025: Traffic Falls for a Fourth Straight Quarter as the Post-Niccol Era Takes Shape

Chipotle's Q4 2025 results tell a split story: revenue grew 4.9% to $2.98 billion on the strength of new unit openings, but same-store sales fell 2.5% and traffic declined for a fourth consecutive quarter. The chain now projects flat comps for 2026.

SEP 27, 2026 · 3 MIN READ

SBA's October 1 acquisition rules: earnings, equity and the $3 million test

The updated SBA manual separates initial acquisitions from qualifying expansions, ties earnings reviews to the business purchase price and sets conditions for equity contributions.

MAR 24, 2026 · 7 MIN READ

Trump Lifts Select Food Tariffs: What the Executive Order Means for Restaurant Operators

President Trump signed an executive order removing tariffs on select food and beverage imports, including beef, coffee, tropical fruit, and fertilizers. Operators running beef-forward menus or premium coffee programs get real relief. Chicken, pork, and dairy operators are still on their own.

JUL 20, 2026 · 3 MIN READ

Domino's transfers 77 stores as its U.S. footprint grows

Domino's July results separate 26 net U.S. openings from refranchising in Virginia and Michigan, explaining the shift in company-store revenue.

MAR 20, 2026 · 9 MIN READ

How Much Does a Jimmy John's Franchise Cost in 2026?

Jimmy John's franchise investment ranges from $366,200 to $728,200. Owned by Roark Capital, the brand focuses on delivery speed and operational simplicity with 2,695 locations.

SEP 25, 2026 · 2 MIN READ

Restaurant outlook forecasts modest purchasing-power growth

The Association forecasts 0.5% growth in real disposable income for 2026. Its separately released survey describes restaurant use and spending choices.

Jersey Mike’s Q2 shows sales growth and a complicated earnings comparison

Comparable sales rose 2.3% as Jersey Mike’s expanded, while advertising timing and corporate costs complicate the second-quarter profit comparison.

SEP 9, 2026 · 3 MIN READ

MAR 24, 2026 · 7 MIN READ

Krispy Kreme's Post-McDonald's Turnaround Is Actually Working

After scaling back its troubled McDonald's partnership, Krispy Kreme is showing genuine progress on a capital-light refranchising strategy. Q4 2025 numbers suggest the model is beginning to work.