Shake Shack, Papa Johns, fast-food trafficShake Shack, Papa Johns, fast-food traffic

Shake Shack is looking to quadruple its domestic unit count, setting a new goal of reaching 1,500 units, all company owned. To take the brand into smaller formats and suburban markets, the company is working on improving speed of service and the perception of value.

Papa Johns’ slowing sales last year didn’t stop the pizza chain from adding new restaurants.  Louisville, Kentucky-based chain opened its 6000th restaurant last month, the company said on Monday. The opening, in Pittsburgh, came at the end of a year in which the company recorded the highest number of new locations in more than a decade.

Fast-food restaurants had a good fourth quarter. If you don’t count December. Traffic during the last three months of 2024 increased 0.8%. That’s according to Revenue Management Solutions.

The firm behind CAVA’s growth has placed its next bet. Washington, D.C.-based deli concept Call Your Mother announced an investment partnership with private equity firm Invus, through Artal Group, for an undisclosed amount. Invus was the lead investor in the Series B funding for CAVA Group in 2015.

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