Operations
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Courtesy of Bloomin' Brands
Bloomin’ Brands CEO David Deno to retire
The restaurant industry executive has been CEO at the Outback parent for five years. The board has begun a search for his successor.
By Julie Littman • May 7, 2024 -
Stephen Brashear via Getty Images
Starbucks needs to focus on experience, not transactions, former CEO says
Howard Schultz called on the coffee chain's executives to “spend more time with those who wear the green apron” and to better understand customer needs.
By Bryan Wassel • May 7, 2024 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Permission granted by Homeroom
TrendlineIndependent restaurants
In an industry built on in-person interactions and long-term relationships with customers, the pandemic has dealt a serious blow to independent operators, but many have pivoted and found new ways to reach diners.
By Restaurant Dive staff -
Courtesy of Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen targets dinner customers with steak
The salad chain is following up the successful rollout of protein plates last year with steak, which accounted for nearly one-fifth of dinner orders in a pilot.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 7, 2024 -
Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco’s new CEO unveils 5-part operations overhaul
From digital investments to incentivizing franchisees to bolster growth, Liz Williams laid out a path she expects will drive sales while decreasing costs.
By Julie Littman • May 6, 2024 -
Courtesy of Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut taps Wendy’s exec as US president
Carl Loredo, Wendy’s former global chief marketing officer, joins the pizza chain after U.S. sales slid 6% year over year last quarter.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 6, 2024 -
Permission granted by ECRS
Sponsored by reciProfityUnderstanding the true cost of ingredients
With wholesale food prices up nearly 30% from pre-pandemic levels, many restaurants are struggling to maintain even the slimmest of profit margins. How can restaurateurs understand and control ever-changing ingredient costs?
By Colleen Marble • May 6, 2024 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Papa Johns names new chief supply chain officer
Kurt Milburn takes up the role as the pizza chain looks to cut supply chain costs and boost productivity.
By Alejandra Salgado • May 3, 2024 -
Permission granted by Denny's
Denny’s virtual brands engage Gen Z, fuel off-premise growth
By leveraging slow dayparts like dinner and late night, the casual chain’s three delivery-only brands are increasing sales and capturing younger demographics.
By Julie Littman • May 3, 2024 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
McDonald’s credits speed, personalization for high satisfaction
The fast food chain is attracting consumers with customized messaging and cementing their loyalty with swift and consistent service.
By Bryan Wassel • May 2, 2024 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Shake Shack’s kiosks are now its largest ordering channel
The chain added upselling options to its kiosks and made the channel’s customization experience more similar to online ordering.
By Julie Littman • May 2, 2024 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Starbucks’ mobile ordering is so popular, it’s slowing some orders down
Starbucks will roll out new procedures that will help workers reduce wait times, CEO Laxman Narasimhan said Tuesday.
By Bryan Wassel • May 1, 2024 -
Courtesy of Wingstop
Wingstop accelerates growth trajectory amid record-breaking Q1
The company, which now expects to open up to 25 more net new units than initially planned, reported 21.6% same-store sales growth.
By Julie Littman • May 1, 2024 -
Courtesy of Donatos Pizza
Donatos CEO to retire, president will assume post
Tom Krouse will retire in October after 20-plus years at the pizza chain. President Kevin King will take on the role of CEO upon Krouse’s retirement.
By Julie Littman • May 1, 2024 -
Don Wu via Getty Images
Yum’s digital sales mix tops 50% systemwide
Following several quarters of kiosk and e-commerce deployment, digital is on track to generate $30 billion in annualized sales.
By Julie Littman • May 1, 2024 -
Courtesy of IHOP
IHOP’s POS migration is boosting speed, check totals
The diner chain has nearly completed a two-year migration of 1,500 restaurants to Tray’s platform, which integrates with handheld server tablets to trim order and pay times at tables.
By Emma Liem Beckett • April 30, 2024 -
Permission granted by Camille Gramont
ColumnPardon the Disruption: What the sudden loss of Foxtrot and Dom’s means for retail
Their demise underscores just how difficult it is to bring new, innovative ideas to life in the shadow of large-scale competitors and the grinding need for efficiency.
By Jeff Wells • April 30, 2024 -
Courtesy of Burger King
Burger King commits additional $300M to accelerate remodels
The chain will give top-performing restaurants cash incentives to complete remodels and expects to overhaul up to 90% of its U.S. units by 2028.
By Julie Littman • April 30, 2024 -
Courtesy of Domino's
Domino’s Q1 US sales driven by loyalty, promotions
Domestic comps rose 5.6%, the highest increase since 2021, due to rewards member growth, successful marketing campaigns and improved operations.
By Julie Littman • April 29, 2024 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle pulls plug on Farmesa fast casual concept
Farmesa Fresh Eatery marks the third spinoff that the company has attempted but shuttered in the past decade.
By Julie Littman • April 26, 2024 -
Courtesy of Sticky's
Chicken tender chain Sticky’s Finger Joint files for Chapter 11
Low foot traffic in Manhattan, exacerbated by high prices for chicken and potatoes, left 12-unit Sticky’s in a weak position.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 26, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Chipotle makes order fulfillment, not fancier tech, its top CX focus
Faster order speed is “one of those things that cascades into everything being a lot better,” CEO Brian Niccol said.
By Bryan Wassel • April 25, 2024 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle’s traffic rose 5% in Q1 despite price hikes
Visits outpaced the fast casual industry during the quarter thanks to the chain’s strongest throughput in four years and Barbacoa and Carne Asada promotions.
By Julie Littman • April 25, 2024 -
Permission granted by Cava
Cava’s Chicago store marks Midwestern debut
The Wicker Park location is part of the chain’s push to add units after reaching profitability in 2023 and completing its Zoës Kitchen conversions.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 25, 2024 -
Permission granted by Starbucks Workers United
Starbucks unionization effortsStarbucks meets 150 workers at the bargaining table in Atlanta
While the company still plans store-by-store contract ratification, it is discussing issues impacting all employees with a bargaining committee of union members.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 24, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Study: Chipotle, Starbucks have highest burnout among major restaurants
Chipotle, which recently added new worker benefits to attract hires, had the second-highest burnout rating of any company in the study, surpassed only by Progressive.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 24, 2024
