For some restaurant chains, bankruptcy wasn't the end—it was the beginning of a turnaround. While many brands never recover after filing for Chapter 11 protection, others have emerged stronger by cutting debt, reinventing their menus, and winning customers back. Here are a few of the biggest restaurant comeback stories. Applebee's found new life after restructuring Applebee's parent company, Dine Brands Global, faced [...]
“Absolutely not worth going”: IHOP customers say breakfast deals can come with a catch
“Absolutely not worth going.” That was how one Reddit user described IHOP’s free pancake day, arguing that the crowds and hassle made the deal feel more stressful than satisfying. IHOP has long been associated with pancakes, breakfast combos, syrup flavors, and family-friendly dining. The chain also uses promotions like National Pancake Day and value menus to bring customers into restaurants. But online, some diners [...]
The 5 most endearingly weird restaurants in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's history gives restaurant owners access to some extraordinary spaces. As with the unusual destinations among Florida's weirdest restaurants, the state's strangest places to eat frequently begin with a setting that no ordinary restaurant designer could reproduce. Customers can dine underground, eat inside an antique railroad car or drink beer beneath the stained-glass windows of a former church. The Church [...]
New California law ditches dozens of common food labels—and it could save shoppers money
A major change is now taking effect on grocery store shelves across California, and it could affect how millions of shoppers decide whether to keep or toss their food. Beginning July 1, California became the first state in the nation to standardize date labels on most packaged foods, replacing more than 50 different phrases—including "sell by," "best before," and "expires on"—with a simplified system designed to reduce [...]
These restaurant chains are quietly closing locations across the U.S. in 2026
If it feels like more "Closed" signs are appearing outside familiar restaurants, you're not imagining it. While many chains continue opening new locations, several well-known brands are also shrinking their footprints this year as they work to improve profitability and adapt to changing consumer demand. Wendy's plans to close hundreds of restaurants Wendy's has announced plans to close approximately 300 to 350 [...]
“Looked like someone sat on it”: Tough Sonic feedback is just the tip of the iceberg
"My problem is the quality of food. The new smash burger on the menu — have the creators ever had a smash burger? There was nothing smashing about it other than it looked like someone sat on it." That review, posted to a customer review site by a Sonic regular, cuts to the heart of a complaint that's been growing for years. Sonic still has a devoted following - particularly for its drinks and seasonal treats - but a vocal [...]
