Taco Bell Builds on Crispy Chicken Momentum with New Strip-Based Lineup

After the sell-out success of its tortilla-coated Crispy Chicken Nuggets, Taco Bell is expanding into strips, the next phase in what’s shaping up to be a full-fledged crispy chicken platform.

Starting June 17, the brand debuts Crispy Chicken Strips across tacos and burritos. Made with all-white meat chicken, the strips are marinated in zesty jalapeño buttermilk and breaded in a blend of tortilla chips and breadcrumbs for extra crunch. Each build is layered with shredded cheddar, pico de...

Convenience Store M&A Activity Suggests More Consolidation is Coming

The pace of merger and acquisition activity in the U.S. convenience store sector is accelerating with recent trends suggesting the nation’s c-store landscape is ripe for more change. While most of the transactions in 2024 involved smaller chains or single-store operators, several larger operators inked deals to significantly expand their footprints into new regions.

According to a new research brief from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, c-store consolidation stands to disproportionally affect rural communities, many of which lack a grocery store or access...

KFC Relaunches $7 Fill Ups Nationwide, Partners with F1® THE MOVIE for Summer Campaign

KFC is bringing back its popular $7 Fill Ups, offering four complete meal options at a strong value price point. The return aligns with a nationwide marketing partnership with F1® THE MOVIE, positioning KFC as a go-to stop for quick, satisfying meals this summer.

$7 Fill Ups – Available Now Nationwide:
Each Fill Up includes an entrée, mashed potatoes with gravy, a biscuit, two pie poppers, and a medium drink.

• Three-Piece Tenders Fill Up...

McDonald's Snack Wraps are Officially Coming Back: Here's When

The wait is almost over.

McDonald's confirmed to USA TODAY on Tuesday that the Snack Wrap will officially be coming back to restaurants permanently beginning Thursday, July 10.

The Snack Wrap features one of McDonald's new McCrispy Strips – a juicy chicken strip made with all white meat – topped with crisp shredded lettuce and shredded cheese, all wrapped in a soft flour tortilla, according to the chain.

The item will be available in two flavors:

• Spicy: Bold, zesty and unapologetically fiery – our Spicy Snack Wrap brings the...

Mastering Market Volatility: 5 Minutes with Little Caesars’ Derek Nelson

In today’s volatile market, where shifts in agrifood commodity prices can significantly impact your bottom line, understanding and managing risk is paramount. Derek Nelson, Director of Commodity Risk & Analytics at Little Caesars, exemplifies this proactive approach in his role leading hedging operations for this global restaurant chain.

Ahead of his participation at Expana’s Agri-Food Americas event in September, Derek spoke with us to share insights into how a global brand navigates the complexities of dairy, grains, protein and energy markets...

Dave's Hot Chicken Entering Next Phase of Growth & Innovation with Roark

From a parking lot in 2017, to a global sensation which expects to end the year with more than 400 restaurants across the globe; Dave's Hot Chicken has chosen an investment from Roark, entering its next phase of growth and innovation.

Dave's Hot Chicken has had years of incredible unit and sales growth and leading guest satisfaction metrics. The company remains committed to delivering an exceptional experience for its guests, team members and its franchise partners around the globe...

Domino's Launches Weeklong Carryout Special

Domino’s is starting the month with a new promotion: from June 2–8, customers can carry out large two-topping pizzas for just $6.99 each.

This weeklong carryout special applies to any large pizza with two toppings, including specialty crusts like Hand Tossed, Crunchy Thin, and New York Style. For an additional $3, customers can upgrade to Domino’s new Parmesan Stuffed Crust pizza.

The promotion comes as Domino’s ramps up rewards and deals to boost consumer demand.

The company reported a 0.5% decline...

Popeyes Rolls Out All-New Chicken Wraps

Popeyes is heating up the summer with the launch of an all-new menu category. Introducing the Popeyes Chicken Wrap — a bold, grab-and-go option packed with flavor and value, available for a limited time.

Each wrap features a hand-breaded, crispy chicken tender, crisp lettuce, shredded cheese, crunchy pickles, and your choice of Classic, Spicy, or Honey Mustard spread — all wrapped in a soft, warm tortilla inspired by our famous biscuits.

The Chicken Wraps come in three crave-worthy variations, each available for just $3.99...

Firehouse Subs Accelerates Global Growth with Entry into Mexico

Firehouse Subs has signed a significant development agreement with Foodplay to open 100 restaurants across Mexico over the next five years, marking its latest strategic move in international expansion. This initiative is expected to generate hundreds of jobs locally while strengthening brand presence across Latin America.

"We believe Firehouse Subs has tremendous potential in Mexico's growing sandwich market," said Duncan Montero, LAC President of Restaurant Brands International (RBI), parent company of Firehouse Subs. "We're excited to bring Firehouse premium subs, heartfelt service...

Layne's Chicken Fingers Celebrates Multiple Six-Figure Opening Weeks

Layne's Chicken Fingers, the Soon to be FamousTM chicken finger franchise, continues to see remarkable results at the restaurant level as it expands nationwide. With growing brand awareness, unbeatable brand loyalty and streamlined operations to ensure a smooth opening period, Layne's restaurants are far exceeding expectations.

"We continue to be blown away by the numbers our franchisees are reaching in their first days and weeks of operations," said Samir Wattar, chief operating officer. "We used to be ecstatic when a franchisee had a six-figure opening...

Applebee’s Reintroduces “All You Can Eat” to Drive Seasonal Traffic

Applebee’s has reintroduced its popular “All You Can Eat” promotion, an LTO strategy the brand consistently deploys during high-traffic periods to drive guest visits.

This season’s lineup features three proven guest favorites and legacy menu items: Chicken Tenders, Riblets, and Double Crunch Shrimp—offering broad consumer appeal.

• All You Can Eat Chicken Tenders – Battered and fried white meat chicken, served crispy with a choice of two savory dipping sauces.
• All You Can Eat Riblets – Bone-in pork riblets, slow-cooked and finished in either...

US Foods Achieves Solid Q1 Results with Gains Across Key Segments

US Foods has released its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, highlighting strong performance driven by a focused strategy and the company's ability to manage controllable factors while adapting to broader macroeconomic conditions.

“During the first quarter we outperformed the industry and again delivered strong profitability, with Adjusted EBITDA growing 9% and Adjusted Diluted EPS increasing 26%, despite the challenging operating environment and weather-related headwinds. Our results speak to the strength of our customer value proposition and relentless execution of our strategy,”...

49th Executive Conference Highlights Resilience and Future Outlook of Animal Protein Sector

This year’s Executive Conference held in Las Vegas from May 5–7 for senior leaders in the animal protein sector, was an informative show of the industry’s and what we can expect from the protein sector in the coming years.  

“We feed the ever-growing needs of the entire population,” said Russ Whitman, Expana’s Director of Market Reporting, in his opening remarks. 

Despite challenges related to animal health, regulatory shifts, and geopolitical tensions, the industry has demonstrated remarkable perseverance. 

The Retail Rundown: Grocers Take on Foodservice for a Slice of Mother’s Day Spending

Grocers are gearing up to win a slice of Mother’s Day sales, which are traditionally dominated by restaurants and dining out. While foodservice still captures the lion’s share of spending, supermarkets are making strategic plays to compete for consumers' dollars.

According to the National Retail Federation, Mother’s Day spending is projected to hit $34.1 billion this year—up from $33.5 billion in 2024 and just shy of the 2023 record of $35.7 billion. About 84% of US adults are expected to celebrate, spending an average of $259.04 on gifts and festivities...

ANALYSIS: US Egg Market Defies Seasonal Trends with Post-Easter Stability

The US egg market is showing surprising resilience in the wake of Easter, holding firm at price levels that are typically subject to sharp seasonal declines. Midwest large has remained unchanged at $3.77 per dozen for three consecutive weeks—a stark contrast to the five-year average, which shows April prices falling by roughly 30% during the same period. While there were signs of mounting pressure in the lead-up to the holiday, the market has since stabilized, buoyed by a modest improvement in retail demand and continued strength in cross-border movement to Canada...

Sysco Corporation Delivers Q3 Financial Results

Sysco Corporation released its financial results for the third quarter of its fiscal year, highlighting some growth despite a challenging operating environment. Unfavorable foreign exchange movements, disruptive weather events, wildfires, and softening consumer confidence have all impacted results for the period.

Total Sysco

Sysco Corporation reported a 1.1% increase in sales for the third quarter, despite a 2.0% decline in U.S. Foodservice volume. Gross profit edged down 0.8% to $3.6 billion, while operating income fell 5.7% to $681 million. Adjusted operating income declined 3.3% to $773...

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Announces Leadership Transition

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers has announced the resignation of its President and Chief Executive Officer, G.J. Hart, after more than five years of leadership at the company.

During his tenure, Mr. Hart implemented key initiatives that significantly enhanced the guest experience and repositioned Red Robin as an operations-focused brand.

Effective immediately, David A. Pace will succeed Mr. Hart as President and CEO.

To ensure a smooth transition, Mr. Hart will continue to serve in an advisory role through September.

Pace, current Chairman of the...

McDonald’s Adds McCrispy Strips and Creamy Chili Dip to Permanent Menu

As temperatures rise, quick-service restaurants are adjusting menus to satisfy seasonal cravings. In its effort to expand offerings, McDonald’s turned to its customers—on social media and beyond—to ask what they wanted most. The overwhelming answer: more chicken.

Responding to that demand, McDonald’s is launching its first permanent menu addition since 2021. Starting May 5, the brand will debut its new McCrispy Strips, served with a Creamy Chili Dip.

"Since stepping into my new role as a leader of the U.S. business this year...

Chipotle Reports Q1 2025 Revenue Growth Despite Avocado Cost Pressures 

California-based chain Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. reported its first-quarter results for the period ended March 31, 2025.

First quarter highlights, year over year:

• Total revenue increased 6.4% to $2.9 billion
• Comparable restaurant sales decreased 0.4%
• Operating margin was 16.7%, an increase from 16.3%
• Restaurant level operating margin was 26.2%, a decrease from 27.5%
• Diluted earnings per share was $0.28, a 7.7% increase from $0.26
• Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.29, a 7.4% increase from $0.27

Baldor Specialty Foods Acquires Golden Packing, Launches Golden Meat Co.

Baldor Specialty Foods announced today the acquisition of Golden Packing, a premium meat company based in the Hunts Point Cooperative Market. As part of the acquisition, the business will operate under a new name: Golden Meat Co.

This strategic move aims to vertically integrate Baldor’s meat processing operations by combining its high-end sourcing capabilities with Golden’s expert butchering—all while preserving the brand’s established reputation for quality.

With this acquisition, Baldor expands its portfolio of premium, portioned meats, offering chef customers enhanced labor savings and...

Joel Yashinsky Appointed Chief Marketing Officer of Burger King US & Canada

Today, Burger King® announced Joel Yashinsky as Chief Marketing Officer for the US & Canada. Yashinsky will build on the brand’s existing Reclaim the Flame plan that was created with the advice and support of Burger King Franchisees.

“We are thrilled to welcome Joel to the Burger King leadership team and the broader BK family,” said Tom Curtis, President of Burger King US & Canada. “Joel joins us at an exciting time for the brand, and brings the ideal mix of strategic marketing...

Red Robin Launches Bottomless Burger Pass to Drive Traffic

In recognition of National Burger Month, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers is introducing a new consumer engagement initiative designed to boost traffic and brand visibility: the Bottomless Burger Pass.

Set to launch April 17 at 9 a.m. MT, the limited-time offering allows guests to purchase a pass online at RedRobin.com/National-Burger-Month, granting them access to one gourmet burger and bottomless side per day throughout May 1–31, for just $20.

A limited number of black-and-gold...

Jack in the Box Appoints Lance Tucker as Permanent CEO

Jack in the Box Inc., one of the nation’s largest hamburger chains, has named Lance Tucker its permanent Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. Tucker will also join the company’s Board of Directors.

Tucker had been serving as the company's interim CEO following the resignation of Darin Harris in February 2025. Prior to this role, he was Jack in the Box’s Chief Financial Officer.

“Lance brings decades of experience within the restaurant industry as well as a financial mind into the CEO role that is...

Jollibee Premieres Its NEW 100% Certified Angus Beef® Burgers

Jollibee has announced the nationwide launch of its new menu items. The global restaurant, renowned for its fried chicken, aims to appeal to meat lovers with its new 100% Certified Angus Beef® burgers: the Angus Cheeseburger, Angus Deluxe Burger, and Angus Aloha Burger.

Jollibee highlights that these new offerings will set a new standard of quality in the quick-service industry, while reinforcing its commitment to value.

"We're confident that our trio of new premium Angus burgers will be...

Tim Hortons® Appoints Naira Saeed as New Chief Operating Officer

Tim Hortons® announced today Naira Saeed as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), overseeing restaurant and field operations, franchising and development across Canada.

Saeed began her career working in capital markets, including at the Bank of Canada, before joining Tim Hortons in 2017 as the brand’s Head of Finance. In the eight years since, Saeed has led a number of the teams responsible for restaurant operations, franchising and franchisee profitability.

Saeed will continue to report to and work closely with Axel Schwan, President of...

Game-Time Promotions Aim to Boost Sales in Foodservice

As the national college basketball championship games sound off, foodservice providers are capitalizing on the excitement with deals designed to drive sales and customer engagement.

Domino’s – The world’s largest pizza chain is offering a 50% discount on all menu-priced pizzas when ordered online. This promotion, valid from March 17 to March 23, includes every pizza on the menu, whether it’s specialty, any size, or any style of crust.

Wendy’s is checking into the tournament season with double dollar deals. Running through Sunday, April 13, customers...

PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep 25 - Chicken Demand at Foodservice and Beyond

Just in time for March Madness, Jamie sits down with chicken market analyst, Matt Busardo, to dissect the driving forces behind this consumer-favorite category...

Unlocking Market Opportunities: Key Takeaways From Agri-Food Europe 2025

Held from February 26th to 27th at the Okura Hotel in Amsterdam, Expana’s Agri-Food Europe 2025 brought together key stakeholders from global agrifood markets for two days of learning, collaboration and forward-thinking discussions...

With a timely agenda addressing critical issues such as commodity pricing, where markets are headed and emerging agrifood disruptors, the event served as a key gathering for businesses looking to gain a competitive edge. Agri-Food Europe also included market-specific breakouts for categories including animal products, tropical softs, grains, oilseeds, packaging and animal...

Domino's Announces Key Executive Leadership Changes

Domino’s has reshuffled its executive leadership team with key promotions aimed at strengthening its global operations.

Joseph Jordan has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer and President of Domino’s US. In his new role, Jordan will oversee domestic operations, marketing, and will also expand the company’s global services to include Domino’s technology initiatives. Since May 2022, he has served as Domino’s President of U.S. and Global Services. Jordan brings a wealth of experience from his previous leadership roles at companies such as Pepsi-Cola North America, Philips Electronics, and Unilever.

Brands Are Adapting to Consumer Shifts with Bold Flavors, Bigger Appeal

As consumers tighten their budgets and shift toward more meals at home, industry leaders are finding innovative ways to attract spenders. Some brands have focused on expanding their ToGo options, while others have embraced the rising popularity of spicy combinations.

Applebee’s® Enhances ToGo Offerings

Applebee’s is stepping up its ToGo game with a limited-time offer: 50-cent Boneless Wings, available when ordered between March 18–21 via the Applebee’s mobile app or online at Applebees.com.

Voted America’s favorite in a nationwide double-blind taste test...

Joe Guith Appointed CEO of CKE Restaurants Holdings

CKE Restaurants Holdings, the parent company of Carl's Jr.® and Hardee's®, has announced the appointment of Joe Guith as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

Mr. Guith brings a wealth of experience in franchising, restaurant management, and the growth of consumer brands. He previously served as CEO of Church's Texas Chicken, where he successfully repositioned the brand, driving significant improvements in unit-level profitability, record sales, and customer traffic. His leadership was instrumental in expanding Church's Texas Chicken to over 1,500 locations across 23 countries...

Armanino Foods Reports Strong Q4 and Fiscal Year Growth

Armanino Foods of Distinction is celebrating its third consecutive quarter of record financial results.

The company is known for making frozen Italian specialty foods like sauces, pestos, and filled pastas that are manufactured for the foodservice, retail, and industrial markets.

For the quarter, net sales increased by 15%, reaching $18.5 million, compared to $16.1 million in the same period of 2023. For the fiscal year 2024, net sales grew by 9%, totaling $69.4 million, up from $63.6 million in 2023...

Subway Brings Back a Tasty Offer: Get Any Footlong For $6.99

Subway® continues to serve up serious value with the return of the $6.99 any footlong promotion, perfect for fans hungry for affordability, quality and convenience. Starting February 28, guests can order any footlong sub on Subway’s menu for just $6.99* by using promo code 699FL on the Subway app or Subway.com.

Budget-conscious consumers can choose from any chef-crafted sandwich or build their own custom creation using Subway’s pantry of high-quality ingredients, including crisp vegetables, freshly sliced meats...

Raising the Steaks: Burger King® Introduces Bold New Steakhouse Bacon Whopper® Inspired by Guests

Burger King has long been known by fans as the one place to truly “Have It Your Way” - whether that means holding the pickles, adding extra cheese, or inspiring the next great Whopper creation. Last year, for the first time ever, Burger King encouraged Guests to create their own version of the Whopper through the Million Dollar Whopper Contest, which culminated with the launch of three new and delicious Guest-created Whopper sandwiches in restaurants nationwide. And now, BK fans are asking for more. That’s why starting March 6, Burger King is introducing The Steakhouse Bacon Whopper, the latest Whopper innovation inspired by Guests’ requests.

Unleash your Spicy Side: Taco Bell Cranks up the Heat with New Caliente Cantina Chicken Menu

Cantina Chicken has found its spicy alter ego—Caliente! After earning a permanent spot on Taco Bell's menu last year, the fan-favorite slow-roasted chicken is turning up the heat with the all-new Caliente Cantina Chicken Menu. This spicy upgrade debuts nationwide on February 27, and even sooner with exclusive early access starting today for Taco Bell Rewards Members.

With unmatched popularity in 2024, Cantina Chicken found its way into 1 out of every 4 Taco Bell orders as shared...

Wingstop's New Crispy Tenders Are Changing The Flavor Game, With 1M Free Tenders Up For Grabs

Wingstop is changing the flavor game with new, crispier chicken tenders, now available nationwide. Tender fans can say goodbye to bland, basic chicken tenders and get their hands on Wingstop's crispy tenders, hand sauced-and-tossed in one of Wingstop's 12 bold flavors, paired with the brand's iconic ranch dip for the ultimate flavor experience.

Unlike the plain chicken tenders and strips across the market, Wingstop's new crispy tenders serve as a vehicle for the brand's craft-made sauces...