Chili’s sets its sights on more restaurants after another year of sales growth
Brinker plans to reach 30 new restaurant openings annually by fiscal 2029, with Chili’s expansion and remodels central to its next phase.
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Chains
Growth, closures and strategy across restaurant systems.
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Einstein Bros. builds its leadership team for a 300-bakery growth push
New development, people and finance leaders will support the bagel chain’s expansion, as its redesigned stores become part of the plan.
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LeBron James backs Mike’s Red Tacos as the birria chain pursues national growth
The San Diego-born brand says it has more than 300 franchise locations in development, with experienced restaurant operators behind its expansion.
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Wendy’s franchisee Meritage files Chapter 11, plans to keep restaurants operating
The operator says it runs 314 Wendy’s restaurants and is seeking to restructure its finances while maintaining service and employee pay.
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Lucy Brady takes charge of Jamba as GoTo Foods reshapes leadership
The former Conagra and McDonald’s executive joins Jamba while GoTo expands responsibilities across its specialty brands, Moe’s and technology operations.
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IHOP brings Stuffed French Toast back with two fruit-topped versions
Strawberry Vanilla and Blueberry Vanilla arrive as the breakfast chain turns years of customer requests into a new menu push.
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O’Charley’s corporate closures follow a steep sales decline
Reports of company-owned shutdowns come after a 13.1% drop in quarterly same-store sales. A franchise restaurant has a separate closing timetable.
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QDOBA signs a 17-restaurant development deal for San Diego County
Hyperion Brands joins the expansion effort. The agreement adds commitments; opening dates and individual sites have not been announced.
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7 Brew Openings This Week (September 14–20, 2026)
New locations, free-drink hours and swag dates worth saving.
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Jersey Mike’s Opened 83 Restaurants. The Traffic Number Matters More.
The newly public sandwich chain grew comparable sales through transactions while expanding its footprint 8.1%. Now it must prove that speed and consistency can grow together.
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Carl’s Jr. Is Promising Cooked-to-Order Burgers. The Kitchen Must Prove It.
“No Shortcuts” turns preparation timing into a public promise. What the chain has not disclosed—labor, equipment, holding rules or ticket-time targets—will determine whether customers notice.
Read story7 Brew Is Growing Faster. McDonald’s Is Growing Bigger.
One chain added at least 196 stands in roughly eight months. The other still plans about 2,600 gross openings this year. The numbers show two very different versions of restaurant growth.
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