The restaurant industry has seen no shortage of upheaval in 2026, and Florida has been at the center of some of the year's biggest chain exits. Several well-known brands have either disappeared from the Sunshine State or dramatically reduced their presence as companies rethink their long-term strategies. Bahama Breeze says goodbye to Florida Perhaps the biggest restaurant exit of the year belongs to Bahama Breeze. In [...]
Taco Bell traffic dropped nearly 30% after parasite outbreak. Here’s how it compares to Chipotle and Jack in the Box.
Taco Bell is seeing a sharp decline in customer visits following a multistate cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce, raising questions about how long the fallout could last. According to location analytics firm Placer.ai, foot traffic at Taco Bell restaurants was down 29.8% on Saturday, July 18, compared with the average Saturday traffic earlier this year, as consumers reacted to the ongoing food safety [...]
Why Big Food is scrambling to keep up with the MAHA movement
The "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement has become one of the biggest forces reshaping the U.S. food industry, pushing major manufacturers to rethink everything from artificial food dyes to ingredient labels. While the movement has generated strong support among consumers seeking simpler, more recognizable ingredients, it has also created significant challenges for the companies that make America's packaged [...]
Bud Light shows signs of recovery three years after boycott, but challenges remain
More than three years after one of the most talked-about consumer boycotts in recent history, Bud Light is beginning to stabilize, even as it continues to trail its once-dominant position in the U.S. beer market. The brand's parent company, Anheuser-Busch InBev, has reported stronger overall business results in recent quarters, fueled by growth from other beer brands and international markets. However, Bud Light itself [...]
Beloved chicken chain brings back fan-favorite menu items—including one sandwich customers wait all year for
For Chick-fil-A fans, summer isn't just about longer days—it's also the return of some of the chain's most requested menu items. The popular chicken restaurant has refreshed its seasonal lineup, bringing back several customer favorites alongside a new beverage option for a limited time. Fan favorites make their return Leading the summer menu (which started June 8) is the Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich, [...]
Popular restaurant chain franchisee files for bankruptcy after mounting financial pressures
A franchisee of one of America's best-known buffet chains is back in bankruptcy court less than two years after its first restructuring attempt failed. Despite the filing, the restaurant plans to keep serving customers while it works through its financial troubles. Conroe Corral Murphy LLC, which operates a single Golden Corral restaurant in Conroe, Texas, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy [...]
