Shake Shack Gambles on Casino Restaurant Strategy
Shake Shack is rolling the dice on a new growth strategy. The popular burger chain recently announced it's partnering with PENN Entertainment to bring its elevated fast-casual dining to 10 casinos nationwide. The first locations will debut at Hollywood Casino Toledo in Ohio and River City Casino Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. Both are set to open next year, pending regulatory approvals. It's a strategic move that expands Shake Shack's footprint into the entertainment sector for the first time through licensing deals.
Burger King to Renovate 400 Locations in 2025
Burger King plans to remodel about 400 of its U.S. locations in 2025 as part of its ambitious "Reclaim the Flame" strategy to modernize restaurants and boost sales. The makeovers are already paying off. Sales at remodeled locations have increased in the mid-teens, according to Joshua Kobza, CEO of parent company Restaurant Brands International, who shared the results during a May 8 earnings call.
Burger King Breathes Fire with New 'How to Train Your Dragon' Menu
Burger King is transforming its restaurants into dragon lairs starting May 27, with a limited-time menu inspired by Universal Pictures' upcoming live-action "How to Train Your Dragon" film, hitting theaters June 13. The star of this fantastical feast is The Dragon Flame-Grilled Whopper. This quarter-pound burger sits on a red-and-orange marbled bun, colored naturally with paprika and other spices. It comes loaded with American cheese, bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, pickles, ketchup, and mayo for $7.99.
Arby's Launches Celebrity Sauce Collaboration with Comedy Duo
Arby's is bringing star power to its menu this spring with help from comedians Anthony Anderson and Cedric The Entertainer. The fast-food chain known for its meaty offerings has partnered with the duo to introduce two new barbecue sandwiches, and signature sauces developed by the comedians themselves. The limited-time menu features a Quarter Pound Brisket Sandwich with 13-hour slow-smoked brisket and a Quarter Pound Pulled Pork Sandwich with hickory-smoked pork. Both sandwiches come with garlicky dill pickles on toasted sesame seed buns, starting at $5.99, and will be available through June.
Qdoba Mexican Eats Expands with 500 New Locations on the Way
Qdoba Mexican Eats is speeding up its growth across the nation, adding 33 new locations to its plans and bringing total restaurant commitments to more than 500 across the United States. The fast-casual Mexican chain is growing through key franchise partnerships in many regions. In the Northeast, PFGS, LLC will build 15 locations across Springfield, Mass., and Hartford, Conn. Meanwhile, Empire Inc. has agreed to open 10 restaurants in the Columbus, Ohio area, using their experience running over 100 restaurants including Subway and Dunkin' stores.
Dine Brands to Triple Dual-Branded Applebee's and IHOP Locations This Year
Dine Brands is growing its combined Applebee's and IHOP restaurant format this year, planning to open 35 new spots worldwide. This will almost triple the current footprint of 19 co-branded restaurants to 56 by year's end. The expansion includes 23 international locations and 12 to 14 new restaurants in the United States, through both new construction and converting existing single-brand locations.
Wendy's Plans 1,000 New Stores by 2028
Wendy's announced plans to add 1,000 new restaurants globally by 2028, aiming to grow its worldwide presence to between 8,100 and 8,300 total locations. The Dublin, Ohio-based company is building on recent momentum. In 2024, Wendy's opened 276 units globally, with international markets driving significant growth.
Krispy Kreme, Hulu Team Up For Movie-Inspired Doughnut Collection
Krispy Kreme has partnered with Hulu to launch four new doughnuts that bring the movie theater experience to your living room. The new Krispy Kreme x Hulu collection features doughnuts inspired by classic cinema snacks, available for a limited time at Krispy Kreme locations nationwide.
Krispy Krunchy Chicken Plans Record-Breaking Expansion in 2025
The convenience store fried chicken chain has big plans for 2025. After setting a company record with 605 new locations in 2024, Krispy Krunchy Chicken aims to surpass that number in 2025. The Louisiana-based company now runs over 3,200 locations in 47 states, making it a major player in store-within-store restaurant segment. To put this growth in perspective: Starbucks opened 614 new stores in the same time period.
PizzaExpress Plans American Debut After 60 Years in Britain
PizzaExpress, a popular British restaurant chain that's been dishing out what it calls "Britalian" pizza for nearly 60 years, plans to make its U.S. debut in Florida this year. The chain, which generates more than half a billion in annual revenue from its nearly 360 locations across the U.K. and Ireland, isn't just another pizza joint.
