The Latest

  • The outside of a Starbucks store
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Starbucks North America CEO to retire

    The coffee giant will not backfill the role, which was created less than six months ago, but is seeking a global chief brand officer.   

    Updated Sept. 17, 2024
  • BurgerFi franchisee in Alpharetta, Georgia
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    Permission granted by BurgerFi
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    BurgerFi secures funds to operate through bankruptcy

    A court approved $3.5 million in funding from TREW Capital Management, giving the burger brand sufficient cash to operate without closing stores.

  • Tacos and a burrito made by IHOP on plates against a red table cloth.
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    Courtesy of IHOP
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    IHOP’s new menu innovates beyond breakfast

    With sales soft in recent quarters, the pancake chain is looking to boost visits outside its brunch and breakfast core.

  • A man in sport coat.
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    Courtesy of Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux
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    Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux names third CEO in 2 years

    Chris Porcelli, the brand’s CFO, will succeed Chris Dawson, becoming the third man to lead the chain since the start of 2023.

  • A still from Chipotle's promotional automated makeline shows corn bouncing in a bowl.
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    Retrieved from Chipotle on October 03, 2023
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    Chipotle starts in-store testing for avocado, makeline robots

    The two pieces of equipment, including the Autocado, were developed in conjunction with firms backed by its venture fund.

  • Wendy's
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    Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
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    Wendy’s hires US operations lead, chief legal officer as executive shuffle continues

    The burger brand remade much of its leadership this year as it looks to return to net unit growth in the U.S.

  • The prize center inside a Dave & Buster's restaurant
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    Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic via Getty Images
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    Dave & Buster’s prioritizes tech investments on the hunt for better experience

    Technology updates and the introduction of on-premise sales managers who tailor consumer experience to specific stores are showing promise.

  • A Chuck E. Cheese sign.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Chuck E. Cheese parent sued over workplace sexual harassment

    A 17-year-old employee alleges she was inappropriately touched by a manager over a period of months while working at a West Virginia Chuck E. Cheese.

    Updated Sept. 13, 2024
  • MOD Pizza
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    Permission granted by MOD Pizza
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    Mod Pizza will refranchise corporate stores

    The pizza chain’s new owner, Elite Restaurant Group, is undertaking a comprehensive refranchising effort at the largely company-operated brand.

  • An image of a cheeseburger, chicken sandwhich, chicken nuggest, fries and a drink on a blank background. The image includes "$5 Meal Deal" wording.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s extends $5 meal deal in value push

    The Golden Arches is also adding other value promotions as it looks to bounce back from weak comparable sales in Q2 and better compete with rival offerings.

  • Two food delivery cars and their drivers parked outside of a suburban home
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    Permission granted by PepsiCo Beverages North America
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    Pepsi chases pizza deliveries in a sports car to push pairing power

    A stunt campaign boosts the brand's partnership with DoorDash that will dole out free pizza from Little Caesars, Papa Johns, Pizza Hut and Marco’s Pizza.

  • A man in a white shirt and suit jacket.
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    Courtesy of Smashburger
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    Smashburger hires chief development officer

    Jim Sullivan will work on elevating the brand’s identity as a fast casual player through its development strategy.

  • An exterior image of a BurgerFi restaurant
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    Permission granted by BurgerFi
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    BurgerFi declares bankruptcy

    The company has struggled with same-store sales declines and net losses for several quarters, mirroring the problems of recent Chapter 11 filings for Red Lobster and Buca di Beppo.

    Updated Sept. 11, 2024
  • A Dickey's Barbecue Pit
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    Courtesy of Dickey's Barbecue Pit
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    Dickey’s Barbecue Pit franchisee files for bankruptcy

    The Michigan-based operator blamed the brand’s franchising requirements for the Chapter 11 filing, rather than broader macroeconomic conditions.

    Updated Sept. 11, 2024
  • A smiling white man in a suit. He's wearing a jacket with peaked lapels and no tie, for what it's worth.
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    Permission granted by Starbucks
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    Starbucks CEO’s 4-part strategy hinges on coffeehouse roots

    In a letter to workers and consumers, Brian Niccol laid out a multipart strategy for revitalizing the chain’s core business in the U.S.

  • An image of TGI Fridays signage with red and white stripes
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    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
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    TGI Fridays acquisition falls through, bondholders seize assets

    Hostmore still wants to sell its restaurants after the U.K. franchisee’s acquisition plan was torpedoed by the casual dining brand's manager termination event.

  • A man with a worn expression addresses a press conference.
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    Jason Davis via Getty Images
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    Waffle House’s former CEO Walt Ehmer dies

    Ehmer led the restaurant brand for more than a decade, before he was succeeded by Joe Rogers III last year. He was 58.

  • An image of an indoor mini golf course with neon lighting
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    Permission granted by Puttshack
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    Puttshack enters Minnesota with planned mini golf center

    The eatertainment chain’s expansion could indicate vitality for the sector, which has seen layoffs and disappointing sales at some brands in recent weeks.

  • Chili's Big Smasher cheeseburger accompanied by sides of chips, fries and cola on a wooden dining table
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    Permission granted by Chili's Grill & Bar
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    Q&A

    Chili’s CMO on brand’s winning value message and evolving data strategy

    Swipes at fast food competitors over rising prices, including through a retro video game, helped boost Chili’s same-stores sales by 14%. 

  • An image of a man standing in front of a gray background.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Deep Dive

    Brian Niccol was hired to transform Starbucks. Is that possible?

    Niccol must contend with the coffee chain’s growing brand identity and consumer perception problems, and balance its “third place” value proposition with efficient digital fulfillment.

  • In this photo illustration, a Papa John's pizza box is seen on July 11, 2018 in Miami, Florida.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Papa Johns hires ex-Wendy’s CIO as digital chief

    Kevin Vasconi joins his old boss, Todd Penegor, in leading the pizza chain as it looks to improve its value proposition and continue franchised growth.

  • An image of various dishes from Modern Market's menu.
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    Permission granted by Modern Market Eatery
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    Thrive Restaurant Group buys Modern Market Eatery

    Thrive previously committed to opening 41 units as Modern Market’s largest franchisee, but felt that buying the brand was a natural next step in its growth.

  • An image of a white and red building with Red Lobster signage on the front.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Court approves Red Lobster’s restructuring, buyout plan

    The seafood chain will emerge from bankruptcy with P.F. Chang’s former CEO at the helm and $60 million in new funding.

  • NFL player Saquon Barkley serves food at an Applebee's
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    Courtesy of Applebee's
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    Q&A

    Applebee’s CMO on how brand’s NFL sponsorship feeds its new campaign

    The casual dining chain will leverage its role as the official grill and bar of the NFL in ads and a content series starring league pros.

  • Overly busy restaurant
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    JazzIRT via Getty Images
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    The restaurant labor market in 6 key statistics

    Turnover has fallen in H1 2024, while unemployment and total jobs in restaurants remained steady, indicating a return to pre-pandemic labor market dynamics.

    Updated Sept. 6, 2024