Top 500 2024
Top 500 2024
Technomic's annual ranking of the country's 500 biggest restaurant chains reveals some winners, losers and plenty of surprises.
Value War
Here comes the restaurant value war
As restaurants bleed customers to Walmart, chains are battling it out to see who can win over inflation-weary diners with low-priced offerings. Welcome to the summer value war.
On April 1, California's fast-food chain restaurants will be overseen by a new council and will be required to pay workers at least $20 per hour—a 25% boost from the current minimum. The landmark change could have wide-reaching effects that go beyond the state's restaurants. Here, Restaurant Business takes an in-depth look at the new fast-food wage law and its potential impacts.
Burger King franchisees struggled coming out of the pandemic, so much so that the company is pumping $400 million into marketing and remodels. That effort has yielded fruit, as sales and profitability for franchisees increase. Yet three major franchisees filed for bankruptcy this year and hundreds of stores have closed as the chain works through some of its issues. Here is a look at a crucial year for Burger King.
With the pandemic distantly in the rear-view mirror, independent restaurants saw a return to normalcy in 2022, even as they battled commodity inflation and higher labor costs. Many embraced the changing landscape and proved their resiliency as customers came out to dine. This year's Restaurant Business Top 100 ranking shows considerable sales growth among the top operators. They served 30.2 million meals and recorded $1.95 billion in sales. And there were some notable newcomers. Here's a look at the top independent restaurants across the country and how they grew year over year.
Growth chains aren't all fast-food restaurants. While limited-service concepts still make up a majority of the growth brands on the Future 50 ranking of up-and-coming concepts, the full-service sectors were well represented, including several family-dining brands. Take a look into the next generation of chains with the Restaurant Business Future 50.
Growth chains aren't all fast-food restaurants. While limited-service concepts still make up a majority of the growth brands on the Future 50 ranking of up-and-coming concepts, the full-service sectors were well represented, including several family-dining brands. Take a look into the next generation of chains with the Restaurant Business Future 50.
Restaurant service charges are suddenly everywhere. What gives?
Restaurant service charges are suddenly everywhere. What gives?
These days, restaurant bills no longer just include an entrée, an appetizer and a few drinks. Restaurants are adding specific charges to cover the growing cost of labor. Yet these charges anger customers and could lure regulators. This package explores this growing trend from the perspective of operators, servers and customers.
Restaurant service charges are suddenly everywhere. What gives?
Restaurant service charges are suddenly everywhere. What gives?
These days, restaurant bills no longer just include an entrée, an appetizer and a few drinks. Restaurants are adding specific charges to cover the growing cost of labor. Yet these charges anger customers and could lure regulators. This package explores this growing trend from the perspective of operators, servers and customers.
Subway, once the world’s largest restaurant chain by unit count, has gone through enormous changes over the past eight years, with the loss of its two founders and years of volatility and uncertainty. Its sale, which is expected to be announced as early as this week, follows a remarkably active period for the chain. Here’s a look at some of those major events.
