Fast food is getting faster, data shows

Limited-service chains maintained an edge in traffic growth relative to casual dining, likely due to continued improvements in throughput, Placer.ai reported.

Brooklyn Dumpling Shop hires former RBI exec as CEO

Jeff Galletly will oversee operations, store development, franchise expansion and menu innovation as the chain expands in new markets.

Dynamic pricing firm Juicer snags $5.3M in funding

Restaurant pricing tools may help operators boost sales in lagging dayparts, but consumer sensitivity about these applications is still powerful.

Papa Johns signs new 50-unit franchise deal with The Bajco Group

The Bajco Group currently operates over 200 Papa Johns locations and plans to eventually reach 500 restaurants. 

4 hot c-store flavor trends for summer

Sweet and spicy pairings, tropical fruits and international influences will see a surge as the weather heats up, experts say.

KFC adds $4.99 meal deal through year’s end

As restaurants across the board face dwindling traffic, the chicken chain is leaning on aggressive discounting to draw customers.

Krispy Krunchy Chicken expands beyond c-stores, targets 700 openings in 2024

The concept is entering new markets and enhancing its menu after growing by nearly 500 units last year, including 14 locations inside Walmart stores. 

Jersey Mike’s reportedly considering a sale

The sandwich chain could reap a sale worth $8 billion, but talks with Blackstone, a potential suitor, have cooled, reports The Wall Street Journal. 

Chipotle levels up gaming efforts with Tekken 8 in-game perks, menu item

As an official partner of the fighting game, Chipotle will also make Tekken 8 the title game for the return of its Challenger Series esports competition. 

How 6 casual dining companies faced falling traffic

From First Watch to Olive Garden, major casual dining restaurants saw inflation-conscious consumers cut back on visits.

Checkers & Rally’s CEO resigns

Frances Allen, who has led the chain since 2020, oversaw the deployment of a modern image redesign and voice artificial intelligence at drive-thrus.

Florida c-store chain to test kitchen robots

Re-Up convenience stores is planning to use AI-driven machines to help fry its food, brew its coffee and squeeze fresh juice.

Bloomin’ promotes Michael Healy to CFO

Healy took the role when Christopher Meyer retired on April 1, as Bloomin’ faces uneven performance across its restaurant chains.

Subway is rolling out a new line of wraps

The addition of lavash flatbreads, just months after the debut of its Sidekick snacks, is the first time in three years the chain has launched a bread option.

Chipotle dishes out $1M in free burritos with Burrito Vault mobile game

Timed to National Burrito Day, the interactive web game tasked consumers to correctly guess two exact order combinations to score a promotional code.

Transgender Chick-fil-A worker’s sexual harassment case may go to trial

The franchise owner unsuccessfully argued the worker couldn’t be subjected to sexual harassment by her co-workers because she is heterosexual.

CKE names Hardee’s, Carl’s Jr. US brand presidents

Blake Devillier joined Carl’s Jr. as president, USA on April 1, after Chris Bode was appointed president of Hardee’s USA in the fall, signaling a growing divergence in brand identities.

DeSantis signs Florida delivery bill pre-empting local delivery regulations

The law, backed by Uber and DoorDash, requires delivery firms to delist restaurants that request to be removed and will prevent local governments from passing regulations impacting third-party delivery.

ASAP goes bust

ASAP, once known as Waitr, ceased its operations over the last few weeks and let go of its executives, prior to filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Tuesday.

Updated April 2, 2024

Uber Eats partners with Waymo for autonomous delivery in Phoenix

Uber Eats has been expanding its network of autonomous delivery partners since 2022 and works with Motional, Nuro, Cartken and Serve Robotics. 

Marco’s Pizza appoints COO as it aggressively franchises

John Meyers previously served as SVP of finance and analytics at the chain and will now oversee departments like technology, supply chain and operations.

Chester’s Chicken hires EVP of supply chain

Since Bill Rice joined the chain in January, the chicken brand has already launched a supply chain optimization study.

SEIU, allies say $20 fast food wage should have minimal impact on employment

Organized labor, workers and economists supporting the $20 wage say major brands can absorb increased costs without resorting to price shocks, and that the wage’s impacts are likely exaggerated.

Updated April 2, 2024

Delight Restaurant Group acquires 65 Wendy’s restaurants

The operator, which previously bought about 100 Wendy’s units in 2021, said it would continue to grow with new development and acquisitions. 

Dave’s Hot Chicken tests kiosks, bigger drinks in face of $20 CA wage

The fast-growing chain is raising prices 9% and testing tech that it says boosts check but doesn’t cut labor costs.