As Dunkin Brands, the corporate parent and franchisor of many Dunkin' Donuts locations, prepares its upcoming IPO, there has been no shortage of new products released by the company lately; following on the heels of their Big n' Toasty, they've just released the Blueberry Waffle Sandwich: egg and cheese with sausage or bacon on two blueberry waffles. More

Ever been to a Cook-Out? Not just a backyard barbecue; a chain restaurant that's called "Cook-Out" and serves a menu just like it sounds. The Greensboro location of this North Carolina-based chain has a drive thru on both sides of the building. For those who are motor-less, they also offer a walk-up. But there's nowhere inside to go; it's called Cook-Out for a reason. More

Inspired by our new Sunday night addiction, last week's challenge was all about your pitches for America's Next Great Restaurant. We wanted to hear what sort of fast casual joint you would open if given a slew of celebrity backers. With concept, marketability, and franchising opportunities in mind, here's a look at our favorite Chain Restaurant Brainstorm ideas. More

Last week, at a Wendy's near New York's Penn Station, I was surprised to see a quick flash on their digital menu boards: Breakfast. Now, Wendy's has been testing a few morning items in very limited markets—but I knew I wasn't living in one of them. What I found? A rogue Wendy's breakfast menu. More

Clueless dudes,* take note: On Glamour's Smitten blog, the women in the comments of the latest Reader's Dilemma ("My Dates Always Choose Chain Restaurants, Which I Secretly Hate") are overwhelmingly in favor of quirky hole-in-the-wall restaurants for first dates. (Except one who says, "I've never even thought of this before, this dilemma sounds pretentious.") Many of the commenters are pretty open-minded, though, saying that choosing a chain wouldn't necessarily be a dealbreaker. I think most folks reading SE would opt for a unique, delicious local place for a date. Before I started dating my current squeeze, I used to keep a list of such surefire date restaurants on hand in case I needed it.** (Which was rarely.) Do you... More

During a recent trip to Washington, D.C. I was sent on a mission of the self-proposed, self-beneficial kind, to revisit one of my favorite fast-food chains in the country: Potbelly Sandwich Works. By subjecting myself to a variety of their sandwiches, I was to determine once and for all whether Potbelly’s was actually good. Having returned from my journey, I’d like to report back with a stellar "yes" to my query and frankly, I’m much relieved. This is a sore point with me—that sometimes I will harbor the childhood notion that something is delicious only to discover years later that I was mistaken, due mostly to an inexperienced palate. I’m sure that I’m not alone in this sentiment. Have... More

To any In-N-Out fan, the "secret menu" is an open secret. But while just about every other cheeseburger comes out Animal Style, it's less well-known that you can get your fries Animal Style, too. What does that mean? Find out ... More

Can Mario Lopez get a prime reservation at Sbarro? Sbarro, as in, the pizza chain in most airports and train stations. Maybe his Saved by the Bell fame will score him some extra cheese. Lopez's "assistant," who also poses as assistants to James Gandolfini, Martha Stewart, and George Clooney, tries to get his supposed "bosses" the star treatment at Sbarro-level chains (like Planet Hollywood and Olive Garden). The social experiment recalls a similar-minded, and brilliant, series in the late magazine Jane. A writer would phone up cheesy chains pretending to be dead celebrities looking for dining perks. RIP Jane. We watch this, and remember your pages, always. The video, after the jump.... More

Denny's All Nighter Denny's has been "feeding bands and music fans since 1953," but now they are hosting Warped Tour After Parties, running a music blog, adding "rock edge" and dimly lit ambiance to their restaurants late at night, and rolling out menu items designed by real rock stars. Music blog The Modern Age declares the Denny's All Nighter Menu, featuring dishes created by music groups, possibly "the greatest marketing idea of all time." Does anything sound more delicious, come a drunken and hungry nighttime, than Hearts on a Plate: heart-shaped pancakes covered in strawberry syrup and white chocolate chips, developed by Eagles of Death Metal’s Jesse Hughes? Or Taking Back Bacon Burger Fries: fries topped with all the... More

Ever go to T.G.I. Friday’s and say to yourself, "Hey, this line is really long! I wish there was a way to cut ahead of all these people!"? Now there's at least one way to get some V.I.P. treatment in the local strip mall without slipping the maître d' a twenty. Not sure how we missed this, but T.G.I. Friday’s launched their loyalty program, "Give Me More Stripes" on July 14, and the numbers are astounding: more than 380,000 members signed up, which evens out to more than 600 members per U.S. restaurant. In a way, it's not surprising when given these perks: a free appetizer or dessert upon sign-up, a one-time use jump-the-line-pass, and an $8 certificate for every... More