The Latest
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8 restaurant industry trade shows to attend in 2025
This year is brimming with restaurant conferences and trade shows covering key issues for the sector, from franchising strategy to economic forecasts.
Updated Jan. 31, 2025 -
Yum Brands launches integrated tech platform
Thousands of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC restaurants already use Byte by Yum, which includes kitchen management and point-of-sale tools.
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Applebee’s president Tony Moralejo steps down
Moralejo’s departure follows last week’s announcement that parent company Dine Brands would cut 9% of its workforce.
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Starbucks says ‘Hello Again’ by advertising around the Super Bowl
A new spot and a free coffee promotion on the Monday after the big game are part of the chain’s marketing-powered turnaround plan.
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Chipotle’s LTOs drove 7% same-store sales bump in 2024
Chicken Al Pastor and Smoked Brisket boosted traffic at the chain, which plans to roll out Chipotle Honey Chicken — its best-performing test LTO — this year.
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Boston wants delivery firms to give drivers liability insurance
Under the proposed ordinance, aggregators like DoorDash and Uber Eats would need to meet data-sharing requirements to obtain an operating permit.
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Opinion
How nonalcoholic beverages are driving the next wave of profits
Expanded zero-proof menus are attractive to Gen Z, who drink 20% less than millennials, and yield better margins than traditional cocktail offerings, writes Sidework CEO Rishabh Kewalramani.
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McDonald’s sales are still sluggish 3 months after E. coli outbreak
While value offerings are helping improve sales, some franchisees have yet to fully recover their visits and sales comps as of January, a BTIG report finds.
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Waffle House adds 50-cent surcharge due to egg shortage
Egg prices are expected to rise 20% this year due to the impact of bird flu, and operators and chains are finding ways to make up the cost.
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Just Salad hires marketing, CX and development chiefs
The appointments come shortly after the chain opened its first drive-thru restaurant as part of a growth push.
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US and Canada agree to 30-day pause on tariffs
The two countries will push back a Feb. 4 enforcement date as they coordinate anti-drug trafficking efforts at their shared border.
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Dine Brands cuts 9% of corporate workforce
The layoffs impacted different brand teams, offices and departments, and follow comparable sales declines for the Applebee's and IHOP owner in Q3.
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How 3 rising pizza chains are plotting 2025 expansion
Marco’s Pizza, Mr Gatti’s and Donato’s are poised for growth this year as segment leaders face sluggish performance.
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US delays tariffs on Mexico to March
The two countries agreed to negotiate over the next month while collaborating on addressing drug and weapons trafficking.
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How Chili’s boosted comparable sales by 31%
Value-oriented ads and marketing for its Triple Dipper menu boosted the chain’s traffic by nearly 20%, driving a record-breaking quarterly performance.
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Pizza Hut buys 18 stores from bankrupt EYM
The chain paid $720,000 for the units, with five other bidders securing the remaining 77 stores in an auction.
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Trump issues tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
The president ordered an additional 10% duty on goods from China and 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico. The immediate impact on restaurant operators is unclear.
Updated Feb. 1, 2025 -
Brian Niccol wants to double Starbucks’ US footprint
A host of changes to stores and operations could help Starbucks escape its sales trouble, and executives are already planning the company’s next move.
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Chili’s prioritizes 200 stores for redesign
Following a record-breaking quarter, the brand will soon focus on updating its system, as many stores haven’t been redesigned in decades.
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Deep Dive
8 restaurant trends to watch in 2025
Analysts forecast a slightly rosier year, predicting that consumer demand will rise, bankruptcies will slow and increased valuations will spark M&A.
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Shake Shack appoints 2 marketing execs
The fast casual chain created the roles of chief growth officer and chief communications officer as it prepares for the departure of CMO Jay Livingston.
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Q&A
Dunkin’ CMO on building a ‘cinematic universe’ to capture attention
Jill McVicar Nelson explains what the brand has learned from its Super Bowl ads and how it’s facing uneasiness around TikTok’s future.
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What’s driving Twin Peaks’ growth and $5M AUVs
The sports bar chain, which is now publicly traded, leans on its menu diversity, service model and alcohol mix to target $1 billion in sales.
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Most customers prefer ordering delivery directly from restaurants
Convenience, ease of customization and the ability to earn rewards were top reasons customers preferred first-party channels, per an NCR Voyix report.
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Starbucks eyes return to premium identity as traffic slide continues
A shift away from discounting and a 30% reduction in SKUs could refocus the brand’s identity and premium market positioning in the next several quarters.