Restaurant chains expand and promote: the week in food releases

Restaurant chains supplied most of the week's news. Yum China says it opened a quarterly record of 692 net new stores and raised its 2026 target to more than 2,400. The Wendy's Company's independent committee rejected a $7.35-per-share proposal from a Trian Partners-led group and adopted a shareholder Rights Plan. FARE opened its first location outside Illinois, in Charlotte, N.C. KFC appeared in two releases: its own Marvel-themed menu covering 100 countries, and PepsiCo's renewal as KFC's beverage partner in eight international markets.

Holiday spending and younger diners were the other recurring themes. Yesway and Omaha Steaks set out seasonal promotions and gifting programs with December deadlines. OpenTable's 2027 Dining Trends Report says Gen Z diners are more likely than Americans overall to expect higher dining spending, and PepsiCo says it will support new KFC beverages aimed at Gen Z consumers.