Panera, Papa Murphy’s, Olive Garden
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July 14, 2026
Panera’s Unlimited Sip Club is no longer unlimited. The fast-casual chain on Monday said the beverage subscription program will shift in August and members will be limited to 30 drinks per month. That’s still a deal, the company said. The subscription is $14.99 per month, and it pays for itself after four drinks. Those who get up to 30 drinks would save an estimated $100 monthly. The change precedes an overhaul of Panera’s loyalty program, scheduled for later this year.
Papa Murphy’s footprint has shrunk by more than 20% since 2020 and that trend isn’t expected to reverse in the near term. During parent company MTY Food Group’s second quarter earnings call last week, executives said 45 to 50 more locations will close within the next nine months, citing an “extremely competitive pizza category” in which consumers chase the cheapest deals versus committing to any brand loyalty. Executives said high gas prices are exacerbating pressures at the chain. Papa Murphy’s joins several other pizza chains closing big chunks of locations amid a tough environment for the category.
Olive Garden is bringing back the Never-Ending Pasta Pass. For the first time since 2019, customers will be able to purchase a pass, which provides 13 weeks of unlimited free pasta for $100. 10,000 passes will go on sale Thursday, and customers will have to act quickly to get one: They have historically sold out almost instantly.
Get all the headlines in today’s Restaurant Daily podcast.
About the Authors
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister
Managing Editor
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister is a managing editor for Informa’s Foodservice Media, with brands including Nation’s Restaurant News, Restaurant Business, and Foodservice Director. Leigh Anne works on all of the brands’ special reports, including Nation’s Restaurant News’ annual Technomic Top 500 report. She also manages the group’s digital engagement team.
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, Foodservice Media (June 2026-present)
Group Managing Editor, Informa’s Foodservices Vertical (Aug. 2021-June 2026)
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, Foodservice Media (June 2026-present)
Group Managing Editor, Informa’s Foodservices Vertical (Aug. 2021-June 2026)
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)
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.
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