Evening links — October 5, 2026

Crumbl’s cookie empire starts to crack <Restaurant Business>
Restaurant Business reports at least 57 store closures this year and August sales 70% below two years earlier, even as franchisees were pressed to spend $30,000–$50,000 on dirty-soda equipment that has not revived sales.

Has Publix lost its magic? <Grocery Dive>
The employee-owned grocer’s same-store sales fell 0.5% last quarter, versus 6% growth a year earlier; even a beloved sub sandwich is a tough defense against Walmart and Costco.

BT’s TalkTalk rescue comes with an unpaid bill <The Guardian>
BT’s rescue of the collapsed broadband provider is expected to cost £400 million, including £100 million in unpaid revenue owed to BT’s own Openreach network; the deal also brings 1.5 million customers and a competition review.