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Smoothie King sales soar after flatbread launch

Smoothie King's July same-store sales rose 9%, the highest monthly gain this year, following the June debut of Chicken Flatbreads. The chain also noted a 64% system sales jump from 2020 to 2025 and steady unit growth, with over 1,250 locations.

Financials
Bonchon’s American division sold to PE firm

Bonchon, a Korean fried chicken chain with 500 units worldwide, is being acquired by Minor Food and Serruya Private Equity. Minor Food will take over assets outside the Americas, while Serruya will drive U.S. expansion and enter new markets. The transaction is slated to close by end of August, amid a wave of restaurant M&A activity.

Franchising
Panera Bread hires CMO from Cava as transformation work continues

Panera Bread has announced that Andrew Rebhun will join as chief marketing officer on Aug. 17, succeeding Mark Shambura. Rebhun, previously CMO and chief experience officer at Cava, will oversee brand, digital, loyalty, and media. The move comes as Panera continues its transformation strategy, including a target of $7 billion in systemwide sales by 2028.

Executive News
FTC to disburse $23.8M from Grubhub settlement

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission announced it is paying out $23.8 million to 640,038 individuals as part of a settlement with Grubhub over alleged deceptive business practices. The payments stem from a $25 million agreement reached in late 2024 with the FTC and the Illinois Attorney General. Recipients include drivers and diners, though the FTC has not clarified exact eligibility criteria.

Labor & Policy
How Dine’s dual-brands can stave off closures

Dine Brands International is countering restaurant closures through an innovative dual-brand approach, combining Applebee's and IHOP under one roof. With 45 co-branded units in the U.S. and 12 under construction, the company reports significant sales lifts, including doubled revenue at a Los Angeles location. CEO John Peyton highlights the strategy's repeatability and franchisee interest, alongside a remodel program that yields average sales increases of 5%.

Financials
How Cava outperforms in fast casual despite frugal marketing budget

Cava reported a 9.0% increase in same-restaurant sales and 5.3% guest traffic growth in Q2 2026, beating Wall Street expectations despite a marketing spend of just over 1% of revenue. CEO Brett Schulman highlighted the success of the Mediterranean Summer Supper Series with Airbnb. In an interview, SVP Nitya Madhavan discusses efficient marketing tactics, creator partnerships, social channel evolution, loyalty program enhancements, and a cautious approach to AI in creative work.

Tech
7 Brew vies for piece of Salad and Go portfolio

7 Brew 在 Salad and Go 破产案中竞购其部分门店资产,并质疑 Dutch Bros 的独家销售流程。7 Brew 律师指出其报价价值更高、成交确定性更强,但债务人仍推进与 Dutch Bros 的直接交易。Salad and Go 计划对其余 100 处租赁资产进行竞标,销售听证会定于 9 月 3 日举行。

M&A
Cava’s investment in value and wages pays off

Cava's Q2 earnings reveal a 9.0% same-store sales increase, fueled by a 5.3% traffic bump. CFO Tricia Tolivar credits long-term strategies including pricing below inflation, wage investments, and menu additions. The chain's average unit volume reached $3.1 million, with revenue up 31.3%.

Consumer Trends
Wendy’s new CEO pushes for experience consistency as part of turnaround

Wendy's new CEO Bob Wright is spearheading a turnaround that emphasizes consistent customer experience and digital enhancements. In Q2 2026, U.S. same-restaurant sales fell 7%, but customer satisfaction improved. Wright plans to leverage his Potbelly experience to address operational gaps and invest in technology.

Tech

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