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Alamance Foods, a leading manufacturer of aerosol whipped toppings, cold foams, specialty beverages, and frozen treats, has launched AFI Labs, a new R&D and commercialization center. The facility offers a collaborative environment with pilot-scale capabilities, culinary innovation, and manufacturing expertise to shorten development timelines and support product scaling across multiple categories.
7 Brew announced it will launch its first mobile app on August 12, with a simultaneous overhaul of its loyalty program. The new app supports points tracking, ahead ordering, and saving favorite drinks, designed to enhance customer stickiness through digital channels and support the brand's transition from a regional chain to a national coffee brand.
Huddle House introduces new franchise incentives, offering 0% royalties for the first year and reduced multi-unit agreement fees to franchisees committed to developing three or more stores. This move aims to reverse the trend of net store closures, but the brand has seen declining average sales per store in recent years, with three net store closures in fiscal 2024.
7 Brew secured 73 former Salad and Go locations for over $143 million in a bulk auction on Monday, becoming the leading bidder. Dutch Bros, which had previously agreed to acquire 65 locations for $105 million, is now the backup bidder. This acquisition will accelerate 7 Brew's expansion, bringing its store count closer to that of Dutch Bros.
Woworks announced on Tuesday that it has opened 23 new restaurants this year, with 15 more under construction, and expects the total number of new openings to reach about 40 by the end of the year, a significant increase from 24 in 2025.
In the second quarter of 2026, coffee chains, Burger King, and steakhouses performed strongly, while pizza brands, Wendy's, and Popeyes struggled. Based on earnings calls and same-store sales data, this article analyzes the structural factors behind the industry's divergence.
Yum! Brands announced the completion of the sale of Pizza Hut assets outside China for $1.5 billion to LongRange Capital; last month, Pizza Hut's China business was sold to Yum China for $1.2 billion. The transaction includes an earn-out of up to $75 million, and Yum!'s CEO stated this move will focus on core business.
Starbucks' fall menu debut on August 25 became the strongest in North American history, with customer traffic exceeding the Tuesday average by 35.1%, and the pumpkin latte and new products performed impressively.
Chipotle's latest advertising campaign abandons brand-shot footage in favor of clips of 100 creators actually preparing food in the kitchen, emphasizing ingredient freshness. This campaign marks the first national marketing initiative since Chief Brand Officer Fernando Machado took office and is also the first major project for new agency partner Kids.
Chick-fil-A announced it will close its last Little Blue Menu location, situated in College Park, Maryland, with plans to transform it into a traditional Chick-fil-A restaurant by 2027. Little Blue Menu, a 'test-and-learn' concept launched five years ago, aimed to explore new service methods. The first location opened in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2021 and closed in 2023. This closure reflects an industry shift from virtual concepts to in-restaurant dining experiences.