All Articles

QSR Pro Staff•10 min read

The Real Reason McDonald's Ice Cream Machines Are Always Broken

A $900 million lawsuit, an FTC investigation, and the story of how copyright law turned soft serve maintenance into a federal case. Inside the Taylor Company monopoly and the right-to-repair battle that followed.

Plant-Based Meat's Fall from Grace in Fast Food

U.S. plant-based meat sales have fallen 19% since 2023, Beyond Meat's stock collapsed below $1, and QSR chains are quietly pulling plant-based items from their menus. The once-booming alternative protein segment is in a full-blown retreat.

How Much Does a Checkers & Rally's Franchise Cost in 2026?

Checkers & Rally's franchise investment ranges from $124,000 to $2,132,000. The dual-brand operates 860 locations with unique modular format and double drive-thru model.

How Much Does a Captain D's Franchise Cost in 2026?

Captain D's franchise costs $1,005,600 to $1,223,600 (excluding real estate). As the leading seafood QSR with 540 locations, the brand targets Southeast markets with battered fish and shrimp focus.

How Much Does a Church's Texas Chicken Franchise Cost in 2026?

Church's Texas Chicken franchise investment ranges from $644,366 to $1,808,972. With 1,600 global locations across 24 countries, the brand focuses on value-positioned fried chicken.

How Much Does a Bojangles Franchise Cost in 2026?

Bojangles franchise costs range from $2,650,870 to $3,829,400. With 825 locations and $600,000 development incentives, the brand focuses on Southern chicken and made-from-scratch biscuits.

How Much Does a Carl's Jr Franchise Cost in 2026?

Carl's Jr franchise requires minimum $1,300,000 investment. Owned by CKE Restaurants with 1,100+ locations, the brand emphasizes charbroiled burgers and premium positioning in Western markets.

How Much Does a Hardee's Franchise Cost in 2026?

Hardee's franchise investment ranges from $1,303,000 to $3,436,000. Owned by CKE Restaurants, the brand focuses on premium burgers and made-from-scratch biscuits across 1,600+ Southeast locations.

How Much Does a Marco's Pizza Franchise Cost in 2026?

Marco's Pizza franchise costs range from $287,000 to $807,000. With 1,100+ locations and targeting 80+ new stores in 2026, the brand focuses on quality ingredients and Roma-style pizza.

The Drive-Thru Is Being Redesigned from the Ground Up

Multi-lane configurations, mobile pickup windows, AI-powered order verification, and accuracy scales are transforming the fast food drive-thru. After 75 years with essentially the same design, the industry's most important channel is getting a complete overhaul.

Taco Bell's Global Ambitions and the Art of Menu Innovation

Taco Bell hit $1 billion in annual operating profit, announced plans to enter nine new countries, and promised to double its menu innovation in 2025. The Yum! Brands subsidiary is executing one of the most aggressive growth strategies in QSR.

QSR Pro Staff•8 min read•2

How Much Does a Smoothie King Franchise Cost in 2026?

Smoothie King franchise costs range from $346,000 to $1,278,000. With 1,400+ locations, the brand focuses on functional nutrition and health-conscious consumers.

QSR Pro Staff•9 min read•1

How Much Does a Jimmy John's Franchise Cost in 2026?

Jimmy John's franchise investment ranges from $366,200 to $728,200. Owned by Roark Capital, the brand focuses on delivery speed and operational simplicity with 2,695 locations.

Brian Niccol's Starbucks Rebuild: One Year of Fixing a Broken Machine

Brian Niccol left Chipotle to take over Starbucks in September 2024. Eighteen months later, the former fast-casual star has delivered his first positive comparable sales quarter, announced a 1,000-store renovation plan, and outlined a strategy to turn the coffee giant around.

QSR Pro Staff•7 min read•12

How Much Does a Firehouse Subs Franchise Cost in 2026?

Complete investment breakdown for Firehouse Subs franchises in 2026. Initial costs range from $379,000 to $1,392,000, with Inspire Brands offering $100,000 development incentives.

Kitchen Robots Hit a Reality Check in Quick Service

Kernel is dead. Sweetgreen sold its robotics division. Chipotle's automated makeline is still in testing. The promise of fully automated QSR kitchens has collided with the messy realities of food production at scale.

QSR Pro Staff•6 min read