The Latest
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Miodrag Ignjatovic via Getty Images
The restaurant labor market in 6 key statistics
Slowing turnover, steady unemployment and flat real wage growth point to growing restaurant employer power over workers compared to 2022 and 2021.
Updated Nov. 3, 2023 -
Courtesy of Inspire Brands
Inspire Brands changes its corporate structure
The company’s new structure is centered on brands, commercial and company restaurants and growth, to take advantage of its scale and shared services.
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Courtesy of McDonald's
McDonald’s reinvents McNugget Buddies for streetwear-minded adults
For its latest nostalgia play, the chain teamed with multifaceted artist and influencer Kerwin Frost to put a new spin on the iconic collectibles.
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Courtesy of Kroger/Kitchen United
Kitchen United will sell or close all physical units, pivot to software
The ghost kitchen pioneer, which raised $100 million last year to expand its food halls, began to offload its physical locations months ago. It has already shuttered its Kroger outposts, which made up 44% of its footprint.
Updated Nov. 29, 2023 -
Courtesy of Subway
Subway will bring footlong cookie to permanent menu
When the sandwich chain debuted the oblong dessert at a Miami “Cookieway” pop-up last year, supply ran out in less than two hours.
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Hispanolistic via Getty Images
3 ways restaurants can drive traffic in 2024
Operators are reaching a price hike ceiling as diners worry about their spending, but deep discounts can hurt margins, making it tricky to offer meaningful value, Deutsche Bank analyst Lauren Silberman said at RFDC.
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Ethan Miller via Getty Images
A Taco Bell worker reported a party where co-workers were ‘openly having sex.’ Employees retaliated and HR did nothing, a lawsuit alleges.
An employee said she was told to transfer locations after reporting threats of harassment to human resources.
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Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks adds 4 holiday cold foam flavors
Starbucks’ new holiday cold foam could help drive year-round consumption of cold coffee, even as customization strains store-level labor.
Updated Nov. 29, 2023 -
Permission granted by TravelCenters of America
Can c-stores become dinner destinations?
While the industry is better known for beverages and snacks, a growing emphasis on meals can open big opportunities for retailers with the right offers.
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frantic00 via Getty Images
Why QSRs are doubling down on kiosks
Burger King, Taco Bell and Shake Shack are among the chains adding this technology to boost check and reduce labor pressure.
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Maksym Belchenko via Getty Images
Coffee, tea QSRs report traffic bump from return to office
Category operators opened 3,500 new units as of March 2023 compared to March 2022 following a spike in consumer demand, according to Circana data.
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Courtesy of Subway
FTC reportedly investigating Roark’s Subway purchase
The agency began an investigation this month, Politico reports. The FTC is concerned the deal could create a monopoly in the sandwich segment, as Roark Capital also owns Arby’s, Jimmy John’s and related chains.
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Mario Tama via Getty Images
Starbucks introduces oversight committee to improve governance
The coffee chain said the Environmental, Partner and Community Impact committee will help improve its supply chain operations and employee relationships.
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Permission granted by Starbucks Workers United
Starbucks unionization effortsLabor federation nominates 3 Starbucks board candidates
The Strategic Organizing Center’s nominations, which include a former chair of the National Labor Relations Board, mark a new front in Starbucks’ union saga.
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Permission granted by Kitchen United
Why ghost kitchen pioneers want to say goodbye to the name
Omnichannel business, a focus on operations and reasonable growth timetables set the stage for ghost kitchens’ second act.
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Courtesy of Popeyes
Popeyes adds wings lineup to core menu
The menu expansion follows the chain's successful Ghost Pepper Wings LTO, which contributed to a 5.6% increase in same-store sales during Q3.
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Courtesy of Sprouts Farmers Market
Sprouts expands partnership with Phoenix coffee chain
Following a successful pilot, the grocer has opened a Press Coffee bar in a store in Scottsdale, Arizona, and plans to bring the concept to three more locations in the city during the coming weeks.
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Creative via Getty Images
Digital payments have increased restaurant tips. But is it backfiring?
Some diners feel pressured by tipping digitally in front of employees, which can hurt restaurant traffic, but experts say there are best practices that can ease customer trepidation.
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Courtesy of Pizza Hut
Beyond Meat makes another push into restaurants with Pizza Hut pepperoni in the UK
The LTO topping will be available starting in January. The plant-based pioneer has struggled to gain traction with similar partnerships in the U.S.
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Dave Kotinsky via Getty Images
Are celebrity-backed virtual brands worth the risks?
A string of messy and high-profile lawsuits over MrBeast Burger have put the category’s challenges under a spotlight, but experts say there may be opportunity in an omnichannel second act for virtual brands.
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Permission granted by Presto Automation Inc.
Presto lays off 17% of global workforce
The staff reduction, which may impact around two dozen employees, is part of the technology company’s strategy to reduce costs, boost profitability and streamline operations.
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sam edwards via Getty Images
‘Stop the bleeding’: Why experts say retention is key to restaurant labor profitability
By identifying in-house talent early and scaling employee support, restaurants can reduce churn at lower costs than they would incur hiring new workers, panelists said at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference.
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"1099 14th Street – National Labor Relations Board" by Geraldshields11 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
NLRB delays effective date of joint employer rule to February
In a reprieve for franchisors, the National Labor Relations Board pushed back the date its joint employer rule would take effect to early next year.
Updated Nov. 20, 2023 -
Courtesy of Bar Louie
Bar Louie offers 50% franchise fee discount for first-time operators
The casual chain also developed a contemporary, flexible design as part of its strategy to accelerate franchise growth.
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Courtesy of Checkers & Rally's
Checkers and Rally’s names CFO, CMO
Michael Blair, previously at Miller’s Ale House, joins the chain as CFO, while Scott Johnson, previously at Jollibee, takes the CMO role.
