The Latest
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Del Taco bets delivery, fresh-focused menu will drive sales
The chain's Q3 revenue was dragged down by food cost inflation and minimum wage hikes, but it hopes nationwide delivery through Grubhub, Postmates and DoorDash will get it back on track.
Corporate -
Most diners order delivery through restaurants, not third-party apps
Despite the staggering growth of companies such as Uber Eats, 53% of consumers still order food directly through their preferred brands, whether an app or a website.
Consumer Trends -
All tapped out? Global warming could impact world beer supply
A new study found that drought and heat could hurt barley crops enough to spike beer prices and decrease supply by the end of the century.
Beverages -
Uber Eats continues to grow virtual restaurants business
These "ghost" operations use the brick-and-mortar kitchens of existing restaurants to cook food and fill gaps in the market, and their menus are only available through the delivery service's app.
Corporate -
Pilotworks shuts down overnight
With no warning or explanation, the much-celebrated commercial kitchen and distributer closed its doors, leaving 175 restaurant startups in the lurch.
Corporate -
Domino's US same-store sales slip, but earnings top expectations
The chain continues to look abroad for growth, announcing international same-store sales gains of 3.3% and opening 173 new restaurants during the period.
Corporate -
ColumnComic Dive: Dunkin' Goes Nuts
After dropping "Donuts" from its branding, the coffee chain is embracing craft beer, dry shampoo, tiny homes and more to forge a fresh identity.
Beverages -
Robot restaurants are happening, but is it a gimmick?
Fast casual of the future won't eliminate the assembly line entirely: it might just be run by robots.
Operations -
Deep DiveFrom fast to fancy: QSRs go upscale to compete with fast casual
McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell and other major chains are trying to win customers with table service, butler bells and new store design. But will these changes alienate their core customers?
Consumer Trends -
Majority of diners will pay more for sustainable packaging
Forty-five percent of Americans consider sustainability when choosing a fast food outlet, but only 31% said those businesses clearly label items with proper disposal instructions, according to a study.
Consumer Trends -
Pizza Hut taps new international chief
The Yum Brands company will promote Vipul Chawla, currently managing director of the pizza chain's Asia-Pacific region, to the role as it lags behind Domino's and looks for growth in Latin America.
Corporate -
Sonic's $4.3M settlement highlights data breach challenges
The case shows consumers are fighting back against cyberattacks, which could spell trouble for chains like Panera, Wendy's and Chipotle, which have all recently been compromised.
Corporate -
Is this seat taken? OpenTable pairs strangers for dinner
Diners who opt in to OpenSeat when making a reservation at one of the more than 30 participating restaurants in Virginia will be seated with someone they don't know.
Technology -
Burger King partners with DoorDash for Twitch takeover
The chain's king mascot will battle popular gaming personalities in Activision's latest 'Call of Duty' game.
Delivery -
As Square's CFO departs, the restaurant payments race could heat up
Sarah Friar, who has served as the chief financial officer of electronics payments company since 2012, was a strategic driver of the company's push into restaurants and omnichannel.
Corporate -
Subway brings delivery to more than 9,000 locations
The sandwich chain is teaming with Postmates, Uber Eats, DoorDash and Grubhub as consumer demand for off-premises eating occasions grows and sales slide.
Corporate -
Will activist investor's $900M stake fix Starbucks' lackluster sales?
Bill Ackman and his Pershing Square Capital Management hedge fund's investment in the coffee chain reflects optimism about the company’s store growth prospects, particularly in China.
Beverages -
McDonald's franchisees may form a private association
Frustrated by stagnant sales and tight cash flows, operators met on Wednesday in Tampa, Florida, to discuss forming an independent organization — which could mean a rocky road ahead for the chain.
Consumer Trends -
Danny Meyer gives $20M vote of confidence to 'category disruptor' Goldbelly
The online food marketplace, founded in 2013, features products from local restaurants and purveyors that can be shipped throughout the U.S.
Consumer Trends -
Starbucks beefs up its benefits with subsidized child and senior care
The coffee chain has partnered with [email protected] to offer workers 10 days of backup childcare at $1 per hour for at-home care, as well as access to long-term care planning for aging family members.
Corporate -
Kitchen United scores $10M in funding as demand for off-premises dining grows
Google Ventures led the funding round for the commercial kitchen facility, which lets restaurants test their brands in new markets and launch delivery-only models without investing in real estate.
Delivery -
Starbucks hires Hyatt, Yum Brands vet as CFO
Patrick Grismer joins the coffee giant in the midst of corporate layoffs and executive restructuring, and could help the chain's expansion push in emerging markets.
Beverages -
Zöe's Kitchen slapped with class-action suit ahead of Cava merger
The lawsuit claims the chain provided "incomplete and misleading" information regarding the deal, which will create the largest restaurant company in the Mediterranean category.
Corporate -
MOD Pizza taps Johnny Rockets, Panera vet as COO
John Maguire joins the fast-growing chain as it focuses heavily on expansion and growth, with plans to open about 100 restaurants in 2018.
Corporate -
Chipotle's head of food safety to step down next year
Word of James Marsden's retirement comes just a few months after the chain's largest foodborne illness outbreak to date.
Corporate