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casual_dining

Marketing

Chili’s tries to catch lightning in a bottle again with chicken sandwich campaign

By Alicia Kelso on Apr. 16, 2026

Marketing Bites: Like it did with its Big QP burger launch last year, the casual-dining chain is once again going after fast food’s value perception.

Financing

To-go locations fueled Buffalo Wild Wings’ growth last year

 By Joe Guszkowski on Apr. 14, 2026

The quick-service Buffalo Wild Wings Go opened 79 new stores last year while its full-service counterpart shrunk. But both concepts struggled with per-unit sales.

Financing

There's a new No. 2 brand in casual dining

By Joe Guszkowski on Apr. 09, 2026

Chili’s surged past Olive Garden in 2025 to become the second-largest casual-dining chain in the U.S. behind Texas Roadhouse, per Technomic data.

Financing

Kura sales soar as customers pay up for prizes

By Joe Guszkowski on Apr. 08, 2026

Diners ordered more food at the conveyor-belt sushi chain in order to win toys from Nintendo and Hello Kitty, fueling same-store sales growth of 8.6%.

Financing

The big problem with Red Lobster

By Jonathan Maze and Joe Guszkowski on Apr. 03, 2026

The Week in Restaurants: This week’s episode of the weekly restaurant news discussion podcast looks at the seafood chain, McDonald’s and Sysco. Technomic also talks about Sweetgreen.

Financing

Red Lobster's comeback has yet to materialize

By Joe Guszkowski on Apr. 02, 2026

Sales at the seafood chain declined last year, data shows, and it’s dealing with some of the same challenges that led to its bankruptcy. Ownership says it's still committed to the turnaround effort.

Financing

A large Applebee's franchisee files for bankruptcy

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 25, 2026

Atlanta-based Neighborhood Restaurant Partners took the step after it was unable to find a buyer for its 53 locations. Applebee’s is now in line to acquire them.

Financing

Olive Garden and LongHorn start the year with a bang

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 19, 2026

The two casual-dining chains reported strong sales growth in the first months of 2026, prompting parent company Darden Restaurants to upgrade its annual forecast again.

Food

Maggiano's is boosting portion sizes as part of new comeback campaign

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 18, 2026

The Italian casual-dining chain will now give customers 20% more pasta and bigger helpings of protein for the same price. It’s also expanding its four-course family-style menu with more options.

Emerging Brands

This Taiwanese restaurant group hopes to build a national chain in the U.S. specializing in elevated Thai food

By Lisa Jennings on Mar. 15, 2026

Inspired by the success of Din Tai Fung, TTFB Restaurant Group has launched Very Thai in Los Angeles, with two more brands to follow.

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