The Latest
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Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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 -
Permission granted by Rutter's
Rutter’s announces new stores with bar and lounge
This design is the latest in a series of updates the Pennsylvania-based retailer has rolled out over the past few years.
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Courtesy of Yum Brands/Pizza Hut
Flynn Group surpasses 1K Pizza Hut units with latest acquisition
The franchisee bought 45 Pizza Huts in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee and operates almost 20% of the franchisor’s U.S. business.
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Courtesy of McDonald's
McDonald’s creates ‘restaurant experience’ team to sharpen menu innovation
The Golden Arches’ new team replaces its customer experience unit and includes three cohorts dedicated to chicken, beef and beverage/dessert.
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Courtesy of Jollibee
Jollibee to ramp up US growth with franchising program
With an AUV of about $4.3 million, the Filipino chicken chain’s unit economics could make it compelling for multi-unit operators.
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Courtesy of Domino's
Domino’s promotes long-time exec to COO, US president
Joseph Jordan, who has been with the chain since 2011, was elevated to the role as part of a larger change in the pizza chain’s organizational structure.
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Scott Olson via Getty Images
These 6 restaurant companies have laid off thousands in 2025
Staff reductions hit every corner of the restaurant industry, from Grubhub’s elimination of 500 workers to Starbucks’ 1,100 corporate job cuts.
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Courtesy of Taco Bell
How PAR’s acquisition strategy targeted major restaurant chain clients
The company is buying up software firms and building on its point-of-sale hardware to fill gaps in enterprise restaurant tech systems.
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Permission granted by Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux
Walk-On’s redesigns menu, adds new cocktails
The changes are designed to better attract the brand’s core audience of “sports enthusiasts” and “team moms.”
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goldhafen via Getty Images
Gross bathroom? It can cost your customer experience
Dirty restrooms, out-of-stock paper towels and stalls with gaps can flush away an otherwise positive customer experience and send sales down the toilet.
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Permission granted by Pinstripes
Pinstripes keeps itself afloat with $7.5M loan
The troubled eatertainment chain was suspended from the New York Stock Exchange and won’t appeal its delisting, as its lender takes an 85% share in the company.
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Permission granted by Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company to roll out 9 new dishes next week
Its initial menu update in October helped drive positive same-store sales during the fourth quarter.
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Courtesy of Wendy's
Wendy’s wants to open 1K stores in 3 years
The burger brand is planning to globalize its supply chain and build up geographical strongholds outside the U.S.
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JazzIRT via Getty Images
The restaurant labor market in 6 key statistics
Although turnover stabilized last year, early data from 2025 shows increased unemployment and a decrease in hours worked.
Updated March 7, 2025 -
Courtesy of Papa Johns
Papa Johns invites pizza fans to ‘Meet the Makers’ for TV, social ads
The chain’s first work under CMO Jenna Bromberg includes tie-ups with food influencers and real team members for behind-the-scenes content.
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Courtesy of CKE Restaurants
Carl’s Jr parent appoints Joe Guith as CEO
Guith spent the past two years at Church’s Texas Chicken, where he repositioned the brand and improved unit-level profitability.
Updated March 6, 2025 -
On the Border is the latest casual chain to file for Chapter 11
The company, which has 60 units remaining, closed 40 underperforming locations in February after several months of declining liquidity.
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Ethan Miller via Getty Images
Taco Bell franchisee allowed sexually hostile environment to fester for over 2 months, EEOC says
EEOC noted in 2024 guidance that an employer who opens an investigation one day after a complaint is made has acted promptly, while one who waits two months “very likely has not acted promptly.”
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Courtesy of Dine Brands
Applebee’s hopes renovations, dual-branding will prevent more closures
Dine Brands will remodel 30 restaurants it acquired from franchisees last year to help revive the ailing casual dining chain.
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Courtesy of Taco Bell
Taco Bell targets $3M AUV
The brand wants its Cantina Chicken Menu and beverage orders to each account for $5 billion in yearly sales by the end of the decade.
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Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks replaces CFO with Walmart, Target vet
Cathy Smith will replace Rachel Ruggeri at an undetermined date, with Ruggeri remaining for some time to ease the transition.
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Courtesy of Craveworthy Brands
Craveworthy Brands becomes managing partner in Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken
The partnership will further the chicken chain’s aggressive growth strategy, which has 40 units open and a pipeline of 350 restaurants.
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Permission granted by A&W
A&W promotes COO to CEO post
Betsy Schmandt, who has been with the company for 18 months, will work on enhancing the brand’s position, focus on value and continue the chain’s growth trajectory.
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Permission granted by Caribou Coffee
Caribou Coffee appoints CFO as interim CEO
Scott Kennedy will take on the interim leadership role when John Butcher steps down from his position on March 14.
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Courtesy of Portillo's
Portillo’s launches loyalty without an app
The hot dog chain hopes its loyalty program, based in digital wallets, can offer personalized options for guests and businesses without causing app fatigue.
