Fast food Coverage

Whataburger plans to open its first Charlotte location

The fast food restaurant is planned to be built on Albemarle Road in Charlotte.

WCNC

Consumers struggle to cope with rising fast food prices

Consumers struggle to cope with rising fast food prices

Consumers struggle to cope with rising fast food prices

The recent rise in fast-food costs has made customers across the country uneasy as they look for food away from home.

Andrés Ivan Jové Rodríguez, 2024 CBC-UNC Diversity Fellow

McDonald's prices are up, so lower-income consumers are eating at home

New York (CNN) -- Some lower-income Americans are rejecting McDonald's and opting to cook at home instead, the fast food chain's chief financial officer said at an investor conference on Wednesday.

By Ramishah Maruf, CNN

Did your chef wash their hands? Handwashing 'lie detectors' could find out

New York (CNN) -- Each time people dine in a restaurant or wait in line during a lunchtime run to the nearest sandwich shop, fast-food or salad chain, they're literally placing their wellbeing in the hands of people hired to prepare their meals.

By Parija Kavilanz, CNN

7 famous restaurant chains with NC roots

Guide to the best restaurant chains that originated in North Carolina.

Kaila Curry, Audience Engagement Producer

'Chick-fil-ationship': Chick-fil-A celebrates employees' engagement

According to the restaurant, a couple who worked together got engaged. The restaurant said Sarah and Azeem knew it was love when they shared their first chicken nugget two years ago. Photo courtesy of Chick-fil-A

Joseph Ochoa, WRAL multiplatform producer

McDonald's unveils new mystery restaurant, introduces CosMc's

It's the McDonald's mystery that has left fast food fans hungry for details: What is their secretive new spin-off chain? Meet the hot new contender in America's coffee wars - the first-ever CosMc's is bringing suburban Chicago traffic to a stand-still.

Woman who threw bowl of food at Chipotle worker sentenced to work 2 months in fast food job

New York (CNN) -- A woman who threw a bowl of hot food in the face of a Chipotle worker has been sentenced to a month in jail -- and two months working a fast-food job.

By Chris Isidore, CNN

These popular fast food drive-thrus are getting faster

Some of the leading fast food companies, such as Wendy's, Chick-fil-A and Carl's Jr. saw major reductions in their average total time in the drive-thru, according to customers surveyed by Intouch Insight. Wendy's saw a reduction in 88 seconds, Chick-fil-A by 73 and Carl's Jr. by 43.

Ramishah Maruf, CNN

Fact check: Do fast food jobs pay more than entry-level military positions?

U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-NY, recently compared military wages to fast-food workers: "You can work at some McDonald's in this country for more money than ... signing up for the military."

Jill Terreri Ramos, PolitiFact reporter

Police: Burger King assistant manager arrested after serving fries from trash to customers

Burger King assistant manager arrested for serving fries from trash to customers.

Alvieann Chandler/ WIS10

It's Bo Time! Bojangles celebrates 46th birthday

North Carolina-based fast food chain opened its first location 46 years ago.

Customers claim chicken chain is charging accounts for purchases they did not make

Enrique Perez says he hasn't been to Pollo Campero in months but recently noticed that the restaurant unexpectedly charged his account.

WRAL 5 On Your Side

Raleigh couple shares special connection after iconic Arby's sign comes down on Hillsborough Street

Julia and Matthew Busch recalled stopping at the Arby's on Hillsborough Street for one final meal before their firstborn child was born. Now, the restaurant and its iconic sign are gone.

Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Iconic Arby's sign comes down on Hillsborough Street: Raleigh couple shares memories of last meal before becoming parents

Julia and Matthew Busch recalled stopping at the Arby's on Hillsborough Street for one final meal before their firstborn child was born. Now, the restaurant and its iconic sign are gone.

Mexican Pizza making a permanent return to Taco Bell's menu

The chain recently brought the popular menu item back after a two-year hiatus. However, demand for the product was so high that Taco Bell stores quickly ran out of some of the ingredients to make the fan favorite.

It's Bo Time! Bojangles celebrates 45th birthday

North Carolina-based fast-food chain Bojangles opened its first location in Charlotte on July 6, 1977.

Kathy Hanrahan, WRAL lifestyle editor

Taco Bell testing menu items that contain giant Cheez-It

The two new menu items are a "Big Cheez-It Tostada" and a "Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme."

Fast food sustainability: An alternative to the condiment packet

If fast food had a mascot, it might be the condiment packet. Those little, hard to open plastic packages of ketchup, mustard, and sauces. But this little bit of convenience is causing an awful lot of litter. But there is a way to enjoy your meal without messing up our environment

Mexican Pizza returning to Taco Bell's menu

The fast-food chain got rid of the pizza, along with other items, in November 2020 in an attempt to cut costs amid the height of the pandemic.

The surprising reason why Wendy's burgers are square

It doesn't matter where you go: Fast-food hamburgers almost uniformly look like the same round, flat patties. Except for Wendy's, which has square burgers.

By Jordan Valinsky, CNN Business

Video shows Raleigh police officers kneel on man's neck, yank on woman's hair during Wingstop arrests

Several videos circulating on social media show Raleigh police officers aggressively arresting a Wingstop employee and a customer on New Hope Church Road on Friday night. Social justice activists and the employee who was arrested claim that Raleigh police officers escalated the situation and used unnecessary force.

Amanda Lamb, WRAL reporter; Maggie Brown, WRAL multiplatform producer

When your child orders a Happy Meal, you can try one of these 'menu hacks'

McDonald's is highlighting some of its fans' creativity by including of their favorite "menu hacks" seen on social media on the actual McDonald's menu for a limited time starting Jan. 31.

Kathy Hanrahan, WRAL lifestyle editor

Restaurant Ratings: Niko's Fresh Eats , Murrays Bar-B-Que and Seafood, El Mazatlan, Country Kitchen

Monica Laliberte and 5 on Your Side this week bring you restaurant ratings for Niko's Fresh Eats in Fayetteville, Murrays Bar-B-Que and Seafood in Goldsboro, El Mazatlan in Mount Olive, Country Kitchen in Spring Lake