KFC, Taco Bell, Einstein Bros.
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June 30, 2026
KFC recently unveiled a strategy for its “next chapter of growth,” including menu innovation, modernized restaurants, and refreshed branding. During a recent Bank of America event, CEO Scott Mezvinsky said the chain is pulling pages from its global markets, as well as its Yum Brands sibling chain Taco Bell. KFC UK, for example, served as the launching pad for a new beverage platform called Kwench that is now rolling out to other markets. It also rolled out a new sandwich drenched in sauce. Mezvinsky said KFC is also learning from Taco Bell’s success in being culturally relevant, as well as having a strong value proposition and loyalty program.
Speaking of Taco Bell, the chain’s Cantina concept has opened its first airport location. The Denver International Airport unit is operated by Mission Yogurt and continues Cantina’s expansion 16 years after it was first established to diversify franchisees’ portfolios and to emphasize the dine-in experience. Cantinas serve alcoholic beverages and host events and weddings, for example. There are now over 50 throughout the U.S.
Einstein Bros. is hoping to catch the bagel boom. The nation’s largest bagel chain last week announced plans to open more than 300 new bakeries domestically by 2030. The Denver-based chain has a new store prototype, dubbed “Elevate the Morning,” which is designed for “freshness, speed and a warm, welcoming atmosphere,” the company said. Einstein Bros. ended 2025 with 720 units, which was a 4.5% increase over the prior year, and sales were up nearly 3%. The move comes as other younger bagel brands are rapidly expanding, including PopUp Bagels, Jeff’s Bagel Run and others.
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About the Authors
Lisa Jennings
Executive Editor, Restaurant Business
Lisa Jennings is a veteran restaurant industry reporter and editor who covers the fast-casual sector, independent restaurants and emerging chain concepts. Her experience includes other industry publications as well as the daily newspaper The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., where she was Food Editor. Her work has been cited in the Los Angeles Times, Business Insider, FoodBeast, The Huffington Post, Time.com and more.
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister
Managing Editor
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister is a managing editor for Informa’s Foodservices Vertical, specifically Nation’s Restaurant News, Restaurant Hospitality, and Foodservice Director. Leigh Anne works on all of the brands’ special reports, including Nation’s Restaurant News’ annual Top 500 report and Restaurant Hospitality’s Best Cocktails and Best Sandwiches contests. She also manages the group’s digital engagement team, and was the managing editor for Supermarket News until December 2024.
Leigh Anne lives in New York City, but also claims Phoenix, Dallas and Cleveland as hometowns. Leigh Anne holds a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, where she also studied European history.
Email Leigh Anne at [email protected]
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister’s experience:
Group Managing Editor, Informa’s Foodservices Vertical (Aug. 2021-present)
Group Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (Feb. 2020-Aug. 2021)
Digital Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (April 2018-Feb. 2020)
Digital Content Producer, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (June 2016-April 2018)
Community Moderator, Mail Online (March 2014-June 2016)
Wire Editor, Gannett’s Phoenix Design studio (The Arizona Republic, The Reno Gazette-Journal, The Statesman Journal, The Great Falls Tribune, The Visalia Times-Delta, The Tulare Advance Register, The Salinas Californian, The St. George Spectrum, The Desert Sun, The Coloradoan) (Jan. 2012-March 2014)
Group Managing Editor, Informa’s Foodservices Vertical (Aug. 2021-present)
Group Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (Feb. 2020-Aug. 2021)
Digital Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (April 2018-Feb. 2020)
Digital Content Producer, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (June 2016-April 2018)
Community Moderator, Mail Online (March 2014-June 2016)
Wire Editor, Gannett’s Phoenix Design studio (The Arizona Republic, The Reno Gazette-Journal, The Statesman Journal, The Great Falls Tribune, The Visalia Times-Delta, The Tulare Advance Register, The Salinas Californian, The St. George Spectrum, The Desert Sun, The Coloradoan) (Jan. 2012-March 2014)
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