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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
industry
Industry Analysis

Papa Johns vs Domino's vs Pizza Hut: The Pizza Wars Explained

Three pizza giants, three different strategies, one brutal market. Here's who's winning the pizza wars and why.

MAR 19, 2026 · 11 MIN READ
industry
Category:AllFinance & EconomicsIndustry AnalysisMarketing & GrowthOperations & ManagementPeople & CultureTechnology & Innovation
180 articles|645 total published
Industry Analysis

The Chicken Sandwich Wars 2.0: Who Actually Won

Popeyes' 2019 launch went viral. Chick-fil-A captured 41% market share. Raising Cane's became the dark horse, knocking off KFC. Seven years later, the wars matured into permanent category competition. Execution beats hype. Unit economics beats social media engagement.

MAR 19, 2026 · 7 MIN READ
industry
Industry Analysis

The Regional Chain Playbook: How Raising Cane's Plans to Triple Unit Count by 2030

The chicken fingers chain that stayed company-owned, stayed simple, and stayed patient is now executing one of the most ambitious expansion plans in QSR history

MAR 19, 2026 · 10 MIN READ
industry
Industry Analysis

Water Scarcity and Climate Risk: The Supply Chain Crisis QSR Operators Can't Ignore

Droughts in key agricultural regions are driving commodity price spikes and supply disruptions. Here's what smart operators are doing about water and climate risk.

MAR 20, 2026 · 9 MIN READ
industry
Industry Analysis

The Real Cost of a Raising Cane's Franchise and Why the Waitlist Is 5+ Years

With $6.6 million in average unit volume and 90% company ownership, Todd Graves has built the most in-demand franchise opportunity in America by refusing to franchise.

MAR 20, 2026 · 7 MIN READ
industry
Industry Analysis

Inside Wingstop's Explosive Growth: How a Wing Chain Became Wall Street's Darling

With 21 consecutive years of same-store sales growth and a market cap that rivals legacy players, Wingstop has become the QSR industry's most consistent performer. Here's how they did it—and the challenges ahead.

MAR 19, 2026 · 7 MIN READ
industry
Industry Analysis

Chick-fil-A's $1 Billion International Gamble: Inside the Chain's Push Into Europe and Asia

Chick-fil-A is investing $1B to expand into the UK, Singapore, and beyond. Can America's chicken king win overseas?

MAR 19, 2026 · 3 MIN READ
industry
Industry Analysis

Fast Food Nutrition Comparison: Calories, Sodium, and Healthiest Options by Chain

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.

MAR 20, 2026 · 7 MIN READ
industry
Industry Analysis

International Expansion Playbook: How American QSRs Win (or Lose) Abroad

From menu localization to master franchise deals, the strategies that determine whether U.S. chains thrive or fail overseas

MAR 18, 2026 · 9 MIN READ
industry
Industry Analysis

The Shrinkflation Backlash: How QSR Brands Are Responding to Angry Customers

Consumers have noticed portions getting smaller while prices stay the same—or go up. The backlash is real, and QSR brands are scrambling to respond without tanking their margins.

MAR 19, 2026 · 9 MIN READ
industry
Industry Analysis

The Panda Express Franchise Myth: Why You Can't Buy One (And How They Actually Work)

Panda Express doesn't franchise in the US. Here's why the 2,400+ location chain stays company-owned, how they generate $2M+ AUV, and what this means for prospective franchisees.

NOV 6, 2025 · 8 MIN READ
industry
Industry Analysis

The Franchise Renewal Crisis Nobody's Talking About

Thousands of franchise agreements are expiring in the next 3-5 years. The renewal terms being offered look nothing like the original deal — and operators who aren't preparing now will face impossible choices.

MAR 19, 2026 · 9 MIN READ
industry
Industry Analysis

Why QSR Same-Store Sales Growth Is Becoming Harder to Achieve

Industry maturation makes comp growth elusive for established brands

MAR 19, 2026 · 11 MIN READ
industry
Industry Analysis

How a Chicken Sandwich Turned Popeyes Into a $5 Billion QSR Brand

One menu item reshaped Popeyes' identity, boosted AUVs by $400K per store, and ignited a category war across the QSR industry.

MAR 19, 2026 · 5 MIN READ
industry
Industry Analysis

Chick-fil-A's Expansion Strategy: What Every Franchise Brand Can Learn

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.

NOV 12, 2025 · 6 MIN READ
industry
Industry Analysis

The Great QSR Contraction: Nearly 1,000 Chain Restaurants Are Closing in 2026

Wendy's, Papa John's, Pizza Hut, and Jack in the Box are collectively shuttering close to 1,000 locations this year. The closures signal a structural reset driven by traffic declines, margin compression, and a consumer base that has hit its spending ceiling.

MAR 24, 2026 · 5 MIN READ
industry
Industry Analysis

The QSR Value Wars: How $5 Meal Deals Reshaped Fast Food Economics

When McDonald's launched its $5 Meal Deal in summer 2024, it ignited a price war that redefined how every major fast food chain approaches value. A year and a half later, the value menu has become the single most important battleground in quick service.

MAR 20, 2026 · 7 MIN READ
industry
Industry Analysis

Jack in the Box Enters Survival Mode: A 75-Year-Old Chain's Fight to Stay Relevant

Jack in the Box is closing up to 200 locations, sitting on $1.7 billion in debt, and posting its second straight quarter of 7%-plus sales declines. New CEO Lance Tucker's 'Jack on Track' plan is the chain's last clear shot at a sustainable future.

MAR 24, 2026 · 8 MIN READ
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