The Latest
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9 restaurant industry trade shows to attend in 2025
The coming year is brimming with restaurant conferences and trade shows covering key issues for the business sector, from franchising strategy to economic forecasts.
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What could the 2024 election mean for restaurants?
As the industry looks to bipartisan lobbying, organized labor hopes its electoral ground game will result in a labor-friendly Democratic administration.
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Chipotle’s latest automation tool to help with hiring, recruitment
Paradox, a conversational AI system, will manage administrative tasks and is expected to reduce the time to hire by 75%.
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Chick-fil-A is tops for reputation, new report shows
However, customers were increasingly upset over the chain’s rising prices — a sentiment shared across fast food customers, according to Chatmeter data.
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Amex Q3 restaurant spending growth edges down
The card issuer has recently focused on courting cardholders hungry for restaurant services, but last week reported spending growth in that category had waned.
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Jollibee launches first loyalty program
Members will gain access to exclusive deals and product news as well as give feedback on new menu items.
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Grubhub boosts delivery access with Amazon Key partnership
The tie-up gives Grubhub delivery partners one-click access to restricted residential buildings and has already improved the driver and customer experience.
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Starbucks appoints ex-Chipotle exec as first global chief brand officer
Tressie Lieberman joins the coffee chain as part of new CEO Brian Niccol’s marketing overhaul, which also includes a recent agency appointment.
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Fuzzy’s Taco Shop names new president, COO
The Dine Brand chain promoted Patrick Kirk to the dual role of president and CMO and hired Marshall Claycamp from sister brand IHOP as its COO.
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Opinion
Serving the electorate: Restaurants and voters share common ground this election
Inflation, the job market, economy, taxes and immigration reform are key issues impacting operators ahead of the election, writes the National Restaurant Association’s Michelle Korsmo.
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Richtech Robotics to open 20 more automated restaurants inside Walmart stores
The tech company, which uses robotic arms to create drinks, will become a Ghost Kitchens America franchisee as part of its expansion plans.
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Dickey’s franchisees sue company over inflated financial projections
Franchisees from Idaho and Ohio say that buildout costs were higher and sales lower than what the barbecue chain initially stated.
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FTC issues $1.3M judgment over coffee chain’s violations of the Franchise Rule
The Federal Trade Commission alleged Qargo Coffee failed to disclose a founder’s history with defunct Burgerim in addition to details involving a past bankruptcy.
Updated Oct. 18, 2024 -
Chick-fil-A to open first Singapore restaurant, enter Asia in 2025
The chicken chain will invest $75 million over 10 years to support its expansion within Singapore, which will provide a gateway into the rest of the continent.
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Dog Haus signs 25-unit franchise deal with boxer Jake Paul
The controversial YouTuber will join the company’s board and bring his star power to the brand as it looks to juice sales.
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Domino’s promotes brand chief to CMO to sharpen global strategy
Kate Trumbull, who helped revamp the chain’s loyalty program, is tasked with scaling its Hungry for MORE initiative to international markets.
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Smoothie King boasts most quarterly openings in 6 years
The company opened its first units in Delaware and New Hampshire last quarter and is significantly expanding its presence in Colorado.
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Dickey’s enhances menu with Southern-inspired fare
The new menu accompanies recent strategic initiatives that include ceasing expansion of its non-barbecue brands and reinvesting in its traditional restaurants.
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Starbucks hands US creative duties to WPP amid turnaround push
The agency network is forming a bespoke unit for the chain that is trying to reclaim its status as a premium brand and community coffeehouse.
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Serve Robotics debuts faster, larger robots for Uber Eats deal
The company is on track to deploy about 250 robots in Los Angeles in Q1 2025, and its next gen model can run for longer and carry more.
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Togo’s appoints CFO to CEO position
Matt Dowling, who has been CFO for three years, will continue in that role while also taking on the top executive position.
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Kraft Heinz ‘betting big’ on reaching consumers away from home
The ketchup and Mac & Cheese maker said its foodservice unit is “an integral strategic building block” to growing its business and raising brand awareness.
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Chipotle makes minority investment in Mediterranean fast casual concept
As part of its Cultivate Next venture fund, Chipotle invested in six-unit Brassica as well as artificial intelligence supply chain platform Lumachain.
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Chicken Salad Chick signs 5 franchise agreements across the Midwest
The flurry of franchise deals will strengthen the chain’s presence in Chicago and bring it to new markets like Cleveland and Kansas City, Missouri.
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KFC is battle-ready in satirical campaign for chicken tenders debut
The fried-chicken chain playfully nods to competitors like Popeyes in a campaign depicting a chicken tenders war.