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Most Popular Fast-Food Chain Revealed For CT, Beyond Most Popular Fast-Food Chain Revealed For CT, Beyond
Most Popular Fast-Food Chain Revealed For CT, Beyond Craving burgers, fries, or fried chicken? A new study reveals the biggest fast-food chain in every state, and the rankings might surprise you. Tasting Table analyzed the most popular and widespread fast-food brands across the country, highlighting the go-to spots from coast to coast. The research ranks each state’s top chain based on store count and popularity. Here’s how the Northeast shakes out: New York: McDonald's  New Jersey: Dunkin’ Connecticut: Dunkin’ Pennsylvania: McDonald’s Massachusetts: Dunkin’ Maryland: McDonald’s Virginia: Chick-fil-A Accor…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Domino's Pizza Gets First Major Makeover In 13 Years: Here's What's New Domino's Pizza Gets First Major Makeover In 13 Years: Here's What's New
Domino's Pizza Gets First Major Makeover In 13 Years: Here's What's New Domino's Pizza is changing its look for the first time in more than a decade, with updated packaging, brighter colors, and a new jingle. The Michigan-based pizza chain announced its first major brand refresh since 2012 on Wednesday, Oct. 8. The changes will roll out "over the coming months" in the US and a dozen international markets. Customers will see the updates on pizza boxes, employee uniforms, menu boards, and advertising. The refresh introduces sharper shades of red and blue in the Domino's logo, a thicker custom typeface called "Domino's Sans," and black-and-gold boxe…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Cracker Barrel Scraps Restaurant Makeovers After Right Bashes 'Woke' Rebrand Cracker Barrel Scraps Restaurant Makeovers After Right Bashes 'Woke' Rebrand
Cracker Barrel Scraps Restaurant Makeovers After Right Bashes 'Woke' Rebrand Cracker Barrel is stopping its controversial makeover after weeks of fierce pushback from conservatives who made the chain their latest target in the "anti-woke" movement. The planned remodeling of Cracker Barrel's 660 restaurants has been suspended, the Tennessee-based company announced on Tuesday, Sept. 9. The move comes two weeks after the chain abandoned its plans to use a redesigned logo without its Uncle Herschel mascot. Only four restaurants were remodeled, with many fans saying the changes took away from Cracker Barrel's country charm. "We heard clearly that the modern remodel…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Cracker Barrel Makeover Blasted As 'Woke' By Conservatives, Petitions Call For Boycott Cracker Barrel Makeover Blasted As 'Woke' By Conservatives, Petitions Call For Boycott
Cracker Barrel Makeover Blasted As 'Woke' By Conservatives, Petitions Call For Boycott Cracker Barrel's push to modernize has sparked fierce criticism, as the restaurant chain is the latest brand to be labeled "woke" by conservatives The Tennessee-based company, known for its rustic country stores and Southern meals, unveiled its first new logo in nearly 50 years on Tuesday, Aug. 19. The logo drops the familiar man-and-barrel image for a simpler design as part of a broader remodel and menu refresh. Right-wing figures like Donald Trump Jr. have criticized the changes. "WTF is wrong with @CrackerBarrel??!" the President's son tweeted on Wednesday, Aug. 20. Florida R…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Snack Wrap Hype Boosts McDonald's Sales After Slump, New Data Shows Snack Wrap Hype Boosts McDonald's Sales After Slump, New Data Shows
Snack Wrap Hype Boosts McDonald's Sales After Slump, New Data Shows The return of the McDonald's Snack Wrap has spiced things up for the chain after it suffered a sharp sales decline as Americans cut back on restaurant spending. The snack wrap returned to US menus on Thursday, July 10. On that day, McDonald's saw a 15% jump in foot traffic compared to an average day in 2025, and an 11.4% jump compared to a typical Thursday, according to Placer.ai. The surge continued into the weekend, with a 22.3% traffic rise on Friday, July 11, compared to an average 2025 day. "After nine years of pent-up demand, fans showed up in full force to celebrate the re…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Trendy Hot Chicken Chain Started In Parking Lot Sold After Passing $600M Sales Mark Trendy Hot Chicken Chain Started In Parking Lot Sold After Passing $600M Sales Mark
Trendy Hot Chicken Chain Started In Parking Lot Sold After Passing $600M Sales Mark A private equity giant is buying a hot chicken restaurant chain that grew from a parking lot to an international brand that's very popular on TikTok. Roark Capital has purchased a majority stake in Dave's Hot Chicken, the restaurant said in a news release on Monday, June 2. Dave's said the sale will help the Los Angeles-based chain grow to more than 400 restaurants worldwide by the end of 2025. The company said it'll remain committed to delivering an "exceptional experience" for customers, employees, and franchise partners. "This is one of the great entrepreneurial journeys …

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Bahama Breeze Suddenly Closes 15 Locations: Here's Where Bahama Breeze Suddenly Closes 15 Locations: Here's Where
Bahama Breeze Suddenly Closes 15 Locations: Here's Where Bahama Breeze has suddenly shut down more than a third of its restaurants across the United States, with 15 locations quietly closed this week, according to multiple reports. The closures span 11 states, including Florida, New Jersey (Woodbridge, Toms River, Paramus, Wayne), New York (Lake Grove), Illinois, Massachusetts (Tyngsborough), Michigan, Nevada, and Tennessee, according to USA Today. In a statement to CNN, parent company Darden Restaurants said the closures were “the right decision because it will allow Bahama Breeze to focus on its highest performing restaurants and strengthen the…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
On The Border Finds Buyer After Tex-Mex Restaurant Chain Declared Bankruptcy On The Border Finds Buyer After Tex-Mex Restaurant Chain Declared Bankruptcy
On The Border Finds Buyer After Tex-Mex Restaurant Chain Declared Bankruptcy A Texas restaurant company is set to buy On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina after the Tex-Mex chain filed for bankruptcy, closing more than 70 locations – including more than a dozen in the Northeast. Pappas Restaurants won an auction for On The Border, the Houston-based group said in a news release on Wednesday, May 7. The deal needs court approval and is expected to be finalized "in the coming weeks." The price wasn't mentioned in Pappas' announcement. The company previously submitted a $15.9 million stalking horse bid to buy On The Border, FSR Magazine reported in A…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
The Ground Round Returns To New England, Promising 'Great Food And Unforgettable Memories' The Ground Round Returns To New England, Promising 'Great Food And Unforgettable Memories'
The Ground Round Returns To New England, Promising 'Great Food And Unforgettable Memories' A nostalgic favorite in family-friendly dining has officially returned to Massachusetts. The Ground Round in Shrewsbury is now offering limited dinner service, the restaurant announced on its Facebook page. It's located at 271 Grafton Street, in the former home of a Chinese-Japanese restaurant named Bauhinia. A grand opening celebration will be held on Wednesday, April 30. "First few days have been incredible, thank you to all who stopped in this weekend," The Ground Round posted on Monday, April 7. "Fish & Chips and Steak Tips were flying out of the kitchen!" The bar is open for walk…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Red Robin May Close Dozens Of Struggling Restaurants: Here's What We Know Red Robin May Close Dozens Of Struggling Restaurants: Here's What We Know
Red Robin May Close Dozens Of Struggling Restaurants: Here's What We Know Red Robin may soon serve its last burgers and orders of bottomless steak fries at dozens of locations nationwide. Red Robin is considering closing up to 70 underperforming restaurants, the chain revealed in its latest earnings report. The announcement came after Red Robin posted a $77.5 million net loss in 2024. One restaurant already closed during the fourth quarter, the Colorado-based company said. "While financial results for 2024 fell well below our original expectations, we've made substantial improvements to the guest experience and believe we still have a significant …

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Popular Restaurant Chain To Place Surcharge On Each Egg Sold: Here's How Much Popular Restaurant Chain To Place Surcharge On Each Egg Sold: Here's How Much
Popular Restaurant Chain To Place Surcharge On Each Egg Sold: Here's How Much A well-known restaurant chain is making a change that may leave customers scrambling. Regulars stopping in for their usual orders at Waffle House will soon notice a small but significant addition to their bill. Waffle House, known for its affordable, around-the-clock breakfast offerings, is implementing a 50-cent surcharge per egg due to skyrocketing egg prices caused by an ongoing avian influenza outbreak.  The surcharge, which applies to all egg-based menu items, is what it calls a temporary measure as the chain navigates higher costs. “Customers and restaurants are being…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
The Best Food Scenes Are In These 10 States, Top Culinary School Says The Best Food Scenes Are In These 10 States, Top Culinary School Says
The Best Food Scenes Are In These 10 States, Top Culinary School Says Three states in the Northeast stood out in a nationwide study for their vibrant food scenes. New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey were ranked in the top 10 by the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. While Hawaii easily claimed the top spot in the annual food scene rankings, New York scored high enough to earn second place. The study, which analyzed factors like restaurant spending, jobs, and independent eateries, highlighted these states for their vibrant food cultures and economic contributions. "Usually when we think of a restaurant "scene," we think on the small scal…

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by Chris Spiker
Lifestyle
Why Are Americans Dining Out Less? A Closer Look At Changing Habits Why Are Americans Dining Out Less? A Closer Look At Changing Habits
Why Are Americans Dining Out Less? A Closer Look At Changing Habits Rising costs and shifting priorities are reshaping how Americans approach dining out.  Reports reveal a notable decline in restaurant visits, particularly among middle-class families and younger generations. Here are key factor driving the decline: Rising Menu Prices: Inflation has notably driven up the cost of dining out significantly. According to Yahoo Finance’s “6 Reasons the Middle Class Can’t Afford To Dine Out Anymore,” soaring food prices have left many consumers rethinking their restaurant habits. Economic Pressures: Broader inflationary trends are squeezing househo…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Popular Italian Restaurant Chain Files For Bankruptcy, Closing Multiple Locations Popular Italian Restaurant Chain Files For Bankruptcy, Closing Multiple Locations
Popular Italian Restaurant Chain Files For Bankruptcy, Closing Multiple Locations Buca di Beppo is Buca di bankrupt. The popular Italian eatery chain announced it had filed for Chapter 11 this week and would close several underperforming locations, including restaurants in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland.  Like many other restaurant chains, Buca di Beppo said the business hadn't bounced back since the COVID-19 pandemic. Customer spending is lower than expected, and supply costs remain high, according to court documents. It's a common tale for several "fast-casual" dining restaurants that have failed to thrive in recent years.   Revenue for…

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by Josh Lanier