Dunkin's newest commercial stars Jen Affleck from "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," as the self-proclaimed "Value Affleck." She humorously positions herself as a superior alternative to her "cousin Ben," using witty banter and a confessional style to connect with viewers and promote the meal deal. The spot promotes the new $6 Meal Deal, which features a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich, six hash browns and a medium coffee, aligning with a trend among fast food chains introducing value meals to attract cost-conscious consumers.

McDonald's has committed $200 million over seven years to regenerative agriculture. The funding will support the Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative, reinforcing the company's pledge to responsible beef sourcing. The initiative is designed to help ranchers improve land management, restore grasslands, conserve water, enhance soil health and upgrade infrastructure.

Little Caesars has grown in recent years and that momentum is continuing, with projections calling for 100 restaurant openings in 2025. Much of that growth is concentrated among existing franchisees, which Little Caesars' Basil Kazepis said was "a healthy indicator." Key areas for expansion including the Midwest, Northeast, California, Florida and Texas. The chain has also been testing autonomous delivery robots and drones to enhance efficiency and customer experience.

IHOP has introduced its first nationwide everyday value menu, offering four breakfast meals for $6 to $7 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The menu includes items such as the Breakfast Faves Combo and Ham Cheese Omelette. The move aims to attract budget-conscious customers, particularly those with household incomes below $75,000, who have been hit by rising menu prices.

Join the National Restaurant Association on Sept. 18 at 2 p.m. ET for this practical conversation to gain a clearer understanding of how inspections work in real-world environments -- and what it means for your own operation.

The Association's brand-new, month-long campaign looks at the top violations in restaurant kitchens today and how to prevent foodborne illness from occurring.

SAME Cafe in Denver has been serving the community for nearly 19 years with a unique pay-what-you-can model, allowing patrons to volunteer, pay what they can or donate produce. The cafe aims to provide nutritious meals with dignity, with a volunteer-driven operation and locally sourced produce. "Everyone's in a different spot, right? Sometimes people, they could be doing well and then for a couple of weeks they could not be doing well and there's no question about only paying a dollar or two for food," says volunteer Sean Stevenson. "It's kind of like a safety net for a lot of people that are just kind of struggling with day to day."

Sisters Angela and Charnita Block, franchisees for Rita's Italian Ice in Washington, D.C., share lessons from 20 years of building a business rooted in community. They emphasize the importance of grassroots marketing, the power of team members as brand ambassadors and the need to adapt to the local community. "Every interaction, including every smile, program and event, has to give customers a reason to return," the