The Latest
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Restaurant traffic lags but sales rise on higher menu prices
October marked the fifth-straight month of same-store sales growth for restaurants, but store visits fell more than 2% due to oversaturation, according to research from TDn2K.
Consumer Trends -
Deep DiveHow restaurant CMOs are adapting to emerging tech, media channels
To stay competitive in an age of hyper-convenience, savvy customers and social media dominance, these executives marry marketing with IT.
Consumer Trends -
Frustrated Papa John's franchisees hire lawyer as sales slip
The chain's restaurant owners' association, which claims operators have been "left to fend for themselves," has hired industry attorney Robert Zarco for representation in talks with the company and former chairman John Schnatter.
Corporate -
Will selling hot sauce online broaden Dos Toros' reach?
The New York City-based chain will sell the products on its website as competition with rivals Del Taco, Moe's and Chipotle intensifies.
Consumer Trends -
Moe's invests in store remodels, street-style menu items
After years of steady growth, the chain is turning to its Southwestern roots for menu inspiration and a more sophisticated in-store experience.
Corporate -
Party mas: Taco Bell is taking event reservations
Following success at its Las Vegas Cantina the chain is testing party reservations for $25 — complete with taco-themed decorations.
Consumer Trends -
Can a sale drive a Papa Murphy's turnaround?
Following its third-quarter earnings report, Papa Murphy's hired North Point Advisors to "evaluate strategic alternatives," including a possible sale.
Corporate -
Honeygrow to shutter all Chicago stores
Despite recent investments, the salad and stir-fry chain has struggled to keep up with high rent and employee training, especially in the dense cities of Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C.
Corporate -
Impossible Burger will be sold in grocery stores next year
The move into retail will add to the approximately 5,000 restaurants in all 50 states where the plant-based burger is now available — a huge jump from about 50 restaurants a year ago.
Consumer Trends -
DOL withdraws contentious 80/20 tip credit guidance
The change in guidance is largely considered good news for employers, simplifying wage and hour tracking for restaurants, in particular.
Policy and Regulation -
Will Slice's deal with TripAdvisor even the playing field for independent pizzerias?
Customers can now order from the nearly 11,000 regional pizza shops in the online ordering app's network directly from TripAdvisor’s website.
Delivery -
Papa John's 'Voices' campaign helps shift brand perception
Following efforts to use storytelling to put a more relatable face on the company, consumer sentiment moved from negative to neutral or positive.
Corporate -
Sonic president will lead the chain after Inspire deal closes
Claudia San Pedro, a 12-year-veteran of the drive-in restaurant company, will join Inspire Brands' executive team when longtime Sonic CEO Cliff Hudson retires at the end of the year.
Corporate -
PourMyBeer teams with Untappd as PYOB competition grows
The self-serve beer platform's integration with the social drinking app will give patrons access to information about each beer's ABV, taste and more on the system's digital signage.
Beverages -
Starbucks' delivery expansion in China may not translate so easily in the U.S.
The company announced it is expanding delivery to 1,100 China stores through its partnership with Alibaba.
Beverages -
Q&AWaffle House serves up emergency preparedness with a side of social responsibility
The chain's restaurants so rarely cease operations that FEMA even has a Waffle House test. But how does it care for employees — and communities — when the worst happens?
Corporate -
Google, Harvard use AI to pinpoint foodborne illness sources in real time
The two teamed up with health departments in Chicago and Las Vegas to cull search data for hints of potential food safety breaches, which could alter inspector visits.
Policy and Regulation -
Deep DiveWhat's the secret sauce behind Mariano's store experience?
The Chicagoland chain, along with Eataly, Lowe's Foods and China's Hema market, offered tips on how to turn locations into destinations.
Consumer Trends -
Chicken chain Bojangles' to go private for $594M
The move could give the Charlotte-based company the leverage it needs to better compete with rivals like Chick-fil-A, KFC and Popeyes, and develop long-term growth initiatives.
Corporate -
El Pollo Loco ordered to fix franchisee contracts to open new stores
More than half of the chain's locations are franchised, and operators aren't happy with the company's decision to open corporate-owned stores in close proximity to their longstanding restaurants.
Corporate -
Could Resy's acquisition of Reserve threaten OpenTable's reign?
The deal brings Resy's footprint to about 4,000 restaurants in the U.S., including outside of its core markets.
Technology -
Deep DiveAre off-premise channels a silver bullet for the casual dining segment?
Restaurants have experienced declining sales for the past decade, but delivery, catering and carryout are yielding positive results for major chains.
Consumer Trends -
Papa Gino's parent company files for bankruptcy
PGHC, which owns the New England favorite as well as D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches, abruptly closed 95 stores and laid off 1,100 employees.
Corporate -
Move over, teens: Seniors are entering the restaurant workforce
As the labor market shrinks, more quick-service restaurants are hiring older workers looking to cushion retirement funds or battle boredom.
Operations -
El Pollo Loco's rebrand will focus on Hispanic consumers, delivery
The California-based Mexican quick-service chain wants to build on a new logo and store design, focusing on its made-in-house ingredients and family dinners.
Consumer Trends