The top 10 stories of 2024

10. 10 changes Brian Niccol is making to bring back Starbucks success

From bringing back handwritten names on cups to refocusing on simple coffee drinks and the third place, the CEO’s Back to Starbucks plan is extensive.

9. TGI Fridays closing 36 U.S. locations, sells 8 restaurants to former CEO

Casual-dining brand agrees to deal with Ray Blanchette as it shutters underperforming locations.

8. KFC is introducing a new tenders-focused concept called Saucy

The restaurant features 11 sauces and 11 beverages, a play on KFC's Original Recipe with 11 herbs and spices. It is 100% equity owned by parent company Yum Brands.

7. New items from Burger King, KFC, Subway, and Popeyes

Plus innovation at &Pizza, Another Broken Egg Cafe, Bonanza and Ponderosa Steakhouses, Brooklyn Dumpling Shop and more.

6. Taco Bell unveils more than a dozen new menu items

The food ranges from a five-item chicken menu to a Baja Blast gelato.

5. 2024 Top 500: The 50 biggest restaurant chains in America

Every year, Nation’s Restaurant News presents the Top 500 biggest restaurants in America, ranked by systemwide sales in the previous fiscal year. This year, we’re using data from our partners at Technomic to give you the best report yet.

4. Applebee’s launches $9.99 Meal Deal as part of its value refinement strategy

The offer is a response to consumers’ changing expectation of value throughout the past several quarters, according to Dine Brands CEO John Peyton.

3. 100 Under 100: Emerging restaurant chains that are thriving in the U.S.

These brands with fewer than 100 locations have some serious growth momentum.

2. Is there more to Panera’s menu overhaul than meets the eye?

From shuttering a fresh dough manufacturing plant, to quietly stepping back from antibiotics-free, animal welfare-focused messaging, Panera has been changing more than just menu additions.

1. Outback Steakhouse parent Bloomin’ Brands closing 41 restaurants

CEO David Deno says closures are part of periodic review and involve older leases from 1990s and 2000s.