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Popular Articles

The most-read analysis and research across QSR Pro. See what operators, franchisees, and investors are reading right now.

All TimeThis MonthThis Week
Category:AllFinance & EconomicsIndustry AnalysisMarketing & GrowthOperations & ManagementPeople & CultureTechnology & Innovation
133 articles|645 total published
Starbucks
Finance & Economics•March 2026

Starbucks Q1 FY2026 Earnings: Niccol's Turnaround Is Ahead of Schedule

Starbucks posted Q1 fiscal 2026 revenue of $9.9 billion, up 6%, with global comp sales rising 4%. CEO Brian Niccol says the 'Back to Starbucks' strategy is ahead of schedule, but a union standoff and growing competition from drive-thru coffee chains add complexity to the recovery.

QSR Pro Staff
•
8 min read
•1
2026
Finance & Economics•March 2026

How Much Does a Hardee's Franchise Cost in 2026?

Hardee's franchise investment ranges from $1,303,000 to $3,436,000. Owned by CKE Restaurants, the brand focuses on premium burgers and made-from-scratch biscuits across 1,600+ Southeast locations.

QSR Pro Staff•7 min read•1
Brinker
Finance & Economics•March 2026

Brinker International Raises FY2026 Guidance as Chili's Rewrites the Casual Dining Playbook

Brinker International lifted its fiscal 2026 revenue forecast to $5.76-$5.83 billion after Chili's posted its sixth consecutive quarter of double-digit same-store sales growth, outpacing the casual dining industry by hundreds of basis points while its fast-food rivals scrambled to respond.

QSR Pro Staff•7 min read•1
2025
Finance & Economics•March 2026

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.

QSR Pro Staff•9 min read•1
2026
Finance & Economics•March 2026

The Restaurant Traffic Cliff: Why Q2 2026 Could Be the Industry's Inflection Point

New EY-Parthenon data shows one in four consumers feeling worse off financially. Circana forecasts sub-1% traffic growth for 2026. The gap between winning and losing chains is accelerating.

QSR Pro Staff•5 min read•1
Darden's
Finance & Economics•March 2026

Darden's Q3 Blowout: How Olive Garden and LongHorn Are Stealing Traffic From Fast Food

Darden Restaurants posted Q3 fiscal 2026 sales of $3.35 billion, up 5.9% year over year, as LongHorn Steakhouse delivered 7.2% same-restaurant sales growth. The results signal a broader shift: the price gap between fast food and casual dining has narrowed enough that consumers are reconsidering where they spend their restaurant dollars.

QSR Pro Staff•7 min read•1
$450
Finance & Economics•March 2026

Smithfield Foods Acquires Nathan's Famous for $450 Million: What Vertical Integration Means for QSR Supply Chains

Smithfield Foods is buying Nathan's Famous for approximately $450 million, converting a licensing arrangement into outright ownership. The deal raises pointed questions about supplier-operator relationships, franchise economics, and whether vertical integration is becoming the supply chain strategy of choice for the industry's biggest players.

QSR Pro Staff•8 min read•1
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