McDonald's

The top and fastest-growing chains don’t always align with average total menu items in their sectors.

The nation's worsening drug problem is spilling into restaurants, and that's not the only negative carryover from other realms. Overtime lawsuits are proliferating while new regulations are on hold. But there is some good news among the week's most noticeable developments.

Chain’s volley in the new value wars is a tiered menu that will be available Jan. 4.