Alicia Kelso Nations Restaurant News

Alicia Kelso

Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News

Alicia Kelso is the executive editor of Nation's Restaurant News. She began covering the restaurant industry in 2010 for QSRweb.com, FastCasual.com, and PizzaMarketplace.com. When her son was born, she left the industry to pursue a role in higher education, but swiftly returned after realizing how much she missed the space. In filling that void, Alicia added a contributor role at Restaurant Dive and a senior contributor role at Forbes.
Her work has appeared in publications around the world, including Forbes Asia, NPR, Bloomberg, The Seattle Times, Crain's Chicago, Good Morning America, and Franchise Asia Magazine.
Alicia holds a degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University, where she competed on the women's swim team. In addition to cheering for the BGSU Falcons, Alicia is a rabid Michigan fan and will talk about college football with anyone willing to engage. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her wife and son.

Follow her on TikTok @aliciakelso

Latest from Alicia Kelso

Taco Bell said $1 drops have helped traffic recover

Taco Bell’s cyclospora-driven sales declines have moderated ‘materially’Taco Bell’s cyclospora-driven sales declines have moderated ‘materially’

Jul 30, 2026

1 Min Read

Taco Bell's Q2 same-store sales were up 7% prior to the cyclospora outbreak

Yum Brands' sales rose last quarter, thanks to Taco Bell Yum Brands' sales rose last quarter, thanks to Taco Bell

Jul 30, 2026

1 Min Read

All from Alicia Kelso

Chipotle had its strongest same-store sales quarter since late 2024

Chipotle registers strongest same-store sales growth since late 2024

Chipotle registers strongest same-store sales growth since late 2024

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Wingstop's first half of the year has been impacted by consumer pressures

Wingstop’s same-store sales hit once again by soft consumer spending

Wingstop’s same-store sales hit once again by soft consumer spending

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Church's has received another round of funding from Golub Capital

Church’s Texas Chicken secures funding for ‘next stage of growth'

Church’s Texas Chicken secures funding for ‘next stage of growth'

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright at the annual CREATE event

Emerging Chains

Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright’s advice for emerging restaurant operators

Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright’s advice for emerging restaurant operators

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

KFC's Kwench beverage platform has expanded to Canada, marking its third market

KFC’s Kwench beverage lineup debuts in Canada

KFC’s Kwench beverage lineup debuts in Canada

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

KFC is offering a Country Fried Steak Meal for $4.99

KFC puts its Country Fried Steak in the value spotlight

KFC puts its Country Fried Steak in the value spotlight

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

The Mexican Pizza is one of Taco Bell's top-selling items

Taco Bell’s latest plan to win back customers: $1 Mexican Pizzas

Taco Bell’s latest plan to win back customers: $1 Mexican Pizzas

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Chick-fil-A is testing spicy Chick-n-Strips again

Chick-fil-A is testing spicy Chick-n-Strips

Chick-fil-A is testing spicy Chick-n-Strips

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Taco Bell is offering Enchiritos for $1

Taco Bell tries to lure fans back with $1 Enchiritos

Taco Bell tries to lure fans back with $1 Enchiritos

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Maria Cacciapuoti has been appointed chief operations officer of KFC Global

Maria Cacciapuoti named chief operations officer of KFC Global

Maria Cacciapuoti named chief operations officer of KFC Global

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Habit's new chef in residency program kicks off with Jet Tila

Habit Burger chef in residency program debuts with Jet Tila

Habit Burger chef in residency program debuts with Jet Tila

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Popeyes is promoting its upgraded tenders with a weekend at The Surf Lodge

Popeyes shines a spotlight on its upgraded chicken tenders

Popeyes shines a spotlight on its upgraded chicken tenders

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Nai De Leon has been named chief people and culture officer of Yum Brands

Nai De Leon named chief people & culture officer of Yum Brands

Nai De Leon named chief people & culture officer of Yum Brands

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Restaurant investors have a higher bar than they did just 10 years ago, driven in part by saturation

From gold rush to reality check: The new restaurant M&A playbook

From gold rush to reality check: The new restaurant M&A playbook

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Cyclosporiasis outbreak traced to Taco Bell lettuce, restaurant bankruptcies surge, and a new marketing blitz

Cyclosporiasis outbreak traced to Taco Bell lettuce, restaurant bankruptcies surge, and a new marketing blitz

bySam Oches,Alicia Kelso

Biscuit Belly's menu includes Loaded Breakfast Tots, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Pancake Corndogs

Biscuit Belly acquires Maple Street Biscuit Company

Biscuit Belly acquires Maple Street Biscuit Company

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Domino's Pizza's domestic same-store sales were up 0.1% in Q2 2026

Domino’s gets a boost from order count growth in Q2

Domino’s gets a boost from order count growth in Q2

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Fresh Kitchen has added two executives to support its ambitious growth plans

Fresh Kitchen adds development and operations execs to accelerate growth

Fresh Kitchen adds development and operations execs to accelerate growth

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Taco Bell tacos

Taylor Farms lettuce supplied to Taco Bell linked to cyclosporia outbreak

Taylor Farms lettuce supplied to Taco Bell linked to cyclosporia outbreak

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Popeyes has added Butterfly Shrimp to its $5 Faves menu

Popeyes adds butterfly shrimp to its value menu

Popeyes adds butterfly shrimp to its value menu

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Chipotle has a promotion tied to the World Cup's hydration breaks

Chipotle will host a BOGO giveaway during World Cup final

Chipotle will host a BOGO giveaway during World Cup final

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Chick-fil-A is redesigning more than 200 playgrounds this year

Chick-fil-A is modernizing its kids’ playgrounds

Chick-fil-A is modernizing its kids’ playgrounds

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Mike’s Red Tacos

Emerging Chains

Mike’s Red Tacos bets big on birria

Mike’s Red Tacos bets big on birria

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Zaxbys is expanding into New York City

Zaxbys has expanded to New York City

Zaxbys has expanded to New York City

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

KFC has brought back its Popcorn Chicken.

KFC’s ‘comeback plan’ includes the return of Popcorn Chicken

KFC’s ‘comeback plan’ includes the return of Popcorn Chicken

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Chipotle has debuted in Mexico.

Chipotle makes its debut in Mexico

Chipotle makes its debut in Mexico

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Pizza Hut's Throwback Value Menu

Pizza Hut doubles down on nostalgia with 'Throwback Value Menu'

Pizza Hut doubles down on nostalgia with 'Throwback Value Menu'

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

The chicken wars heat up, value menu overload, and Wonder's IPO plans

The chicken wars heat up, value menu overload, and Wonder's IPO plans

+1

bySam Oches,Alicia Kelsoand 1 more

Papa Johns brings back its Epic Pepperoni-Stuffed Crust Pizza

Papa Johns brings back its Epic Pepperoni-Stuffed Crust Pizza

Papa Johns brings back its Epic Pepperoni-Stuffed Crust Pizza

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Papa Murphy's will close another 45 to 50 locations in the coming months

Papa Murphy’s to close dozens more locations

Papa Murphy’s to close dozens more locations

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Wingstop sees early momentum from its loyalty program launch

Wingstop CEO Michael Skipworth isn't worried about growing wing competition

Wingstop CEO Michael Skipworth isn't worried about growing wing competition

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Tijuana Flats

James O’Reilly named CEO of &pizza, Tijuana Flats parent company

James O’Reilly named CEO of &pizza, Tijuana Flats parent company

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Electron microscopy image showing virus particles in cellular structure.

Taco Bell temporarily removes some ingredients amid growing parasite outbreak

Taco Bell temporarily removes some ingredients amid growing parasite outbreak

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

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