Global Foodservice News
Fast-casual restaurant sales growth cooled in 2025
Sales among the largest fast-casual chains grew 6% last year, a notable deceleration. But standout brands defying the slowdown included Shake Shack, Jersey Mike’s, Wingstop and Cava. Sales growth cooled considerably in the fast-casual restaurant chain segment in 2025, but it was a good year to be a Mediterranean or sandwich brand. Sales among fast-casual…
Read MoreDomino’s CEO: ‘Bring it on’ to competitors’ promotional activity
A noisy first quarter impacted the pizza chain’s performance, but Russell Weiner said it’s better positioned for the long term because of stronger profitability and scale. Domino’s first quarter results came in below analysts’ expectations and while executives acknowledged the impact of consumer pressures and increased competitive activity, they remain bullish about the chain’s long-term…
Read MoreHow restaurant traffic will trend this Mother’s Day
Based on OpenTable’s 2025 numbers, the holiday brings in a huge chunk of business, with 2026 looking promising Mother’s Day was restaurants’ biggest day of the year in 2025, according to reservation platform OpenTable. Families and friends celebrating mom dined out in droves, increasing restaurant traffic 12% year over year. And there’s optimism that those…
Read MoreGlobal Foodservice News — April 15, 2026
Industry Spotlight Subway to Celebrate Tax Day with 1,040 Free Footlongs Filing 1040 tax forms is no fun. But 1,040 free footlongs? That’s a Tax Day refund Americans can get behind! With everyday costs and living expenses seemingly rising by the day, even taxpayers lucky enough to get a refund from the IRS this…
Read MoreSavvy Jan/San Buyers Target Towel, Tissue Tech
According to jan/san distributors across the country, end user customers are becoming savvier with their purchases. Budget restrictions, staffing challenges, and sustainability initiatives are all impacting product and equipment buy-in. As a result, there is a growing focus on technology, connectivity, and productivity claims. To outline some of the innovations making an impact on towel…
Read MoreISSA and NORMI Expand Alliance to Advance Cleaning and Restoration Industries
ISSA, The Association for Cleaning and Facility Solutions and the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (NORMI™) have signed a renewed and expanded alliance agreement, effective immediately. This agreement expands the formal alliance between the two organizations which began in 2018. The goal of the alliance is to promote the understanding that healthy indoor…
Read MoreJack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola’s New Can Format, Pitú Uses Aseptic Carton for Alcohol, and Brazilian Food Company Launches Dual-Purpose Labeling Solution
See a few examples of packaging that showcase unique design from Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola, Pitú, and Nacom Goya Ind. E Com. De Alimentos from ThePackHub’s Innovation Zone. These innovations highlight new and different innovations that are hitting the market. Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola launch sleek can format to boost shelf appeal and efficiency Jack…
Read MoreShake Shack Unveils Restaurant Technology Initiative Focused on AI, Loyalty and Unified Commerce
As restaurant brands look to scale in an increasingly complex operating environment, technology is becoming less of a support function and more of a strategic foundation. Shake Shack’s newly announced Project Catalyst reflects that shift in a very direct way. The company is rolling out a broad technology initiative designed to modernize its digital, data,…
Read MoreChef Robotics Expands AI-Powered Automation Into Meatpacking
Chef Robotics, a San Francisco-based food robotics company, has expanded its artificial intelligence-driven automation platform to handle tray assembly for meatpacking. The system can assemble raw, frozen and precooked proteins – including pork loin fillets, chicken breasts, steaks, lamb chops, bratwursts and sausage links – onto trays before packaging. Tray assembly for proteins has been…
Read MoreThe hot new restaurant tech trend: AI agents
PAR and Square this week unveiled AI tools that can do things on operators’ behalf, like run marketing campaigns and draft employee schedules. They’re part of a new wave of AI aimed at supercharging productivity. Here come the AI restaurant agents. This week, two large restaurant tech suppliers, PAR Technology and Square, unveiled AI products…
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