Category
Franchise economics, pricing, food costs, real estate, payments
170 articles
RSSLand costs up 20% to 40%. Construction up 35% since 2020. NNN lease escalators pushing occupancy above 8% of revenue. QSR franchisees face the tightest development economics in a generation, and sale-leaseback transactions have doubled as operators scramble for capital.
Wendy's CEO triggered backlash mentioning surge pricing in early 2024. But zone pricing, AI optimization, and personalized discounts already exist. How chains actually use data to maximize revenue without calling it dynamic pricing.
Land costs up 20% to 40%. Construction up 35% since 2020. NNN lease escalators pushing occupancy above 8% of revenue. QSR franchisees face the tightest development economics in a generation, and sale-leaseback transactions have doubled as operators scramble for capital.
Wendy's CEO triggered backlash mentioning surge pricing in early 2024. But zone pricing, AI optimization, and personalized discounts already exist. How chains actually use data to maximize revenue without calling it dynamic pricing.
Jack in the Box franchise investment ranges from $1.2M-$2.8M. Here's what the Del Taco merger means for franchisees, plus unit economics and 24-hour operations analysis.
Sonic's drive-in model requires more real estate and labor than traditional QSR, but generates $1.5M AUV through higher check averages. Here's how the carhop economics actually work.
Wingstop delivers over 70% cash-on-cash returns through asset-light operations and exceptional unit economics. Here's why franchisees love this model and how the numbers actually work.
From Roark's $9.6 billion Subway deal to Blackstone's $8 billion Jersey Mike's acquisition, PE firms are reshaping who owns American fast food.
A data-driven look at the three structural forces that permanently reset quick-service pricing — and what operators and investors need to understand about the new baseline
While operators obsess over labor costs and food prices, the payment processing industry quietly siphons billions from an already thin-margin business
Data analytics, billion-dollar unit volumes, and drive-thru-only formats are transforming the battle for prime restaurant locations
Inside the commission structures, margin pressures, and strategic choices defining the future of restaurant profitability
From nuclear verdicts to carrier exits, the forces reshaping restaurant insurance — and the strategies operators are deploying to survive the hard market
With Chick-fil-A properties trading at sub-4.5% cap rates and institutional capital pouring into drive-thru assets, quick-service restaurant real estate has cemented its status as the bond market's cooler cousin.
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