The Latest
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Ghost restaurant calculator
Thinking about developing a ghost kitchen business plan? Use this calculator to crunch the numbers and determine profitability.
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FAST Recovery Act referendum approved, opening political duel in California
California’s secretary of state found restaurants’ challenge to the fast food council law has collected sufficient signatures, a political win for QSRs.
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KFC offers tuition-free college to some workers
The chain will offer the education perk to eligible employees through a partnership with Western Governors University starting in February.
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Church’s Texas Chicken hires procurement VP
The chain tapped Will Cash, who has supply chain experience at Popeyes and Krispy Kreme, to help lead its purchasing efforts.
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Franchise spotlight: Sprinkles bakes up plan to sign 100 franchised units
The cupcake chain opened its first franchised unit at the end of 2022 and is eying extensive domestic and international growth.
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Study: 55% of diners aren’t restaurant loyalty members
Over one-third of customers have cut spending on restaurants year-to-year, a William Blair survey finds, forcing operators to look for ways to retain diners.
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Burger King franchisee to pay $60K to settle pregnant ex-worker’s harassment, retaliation claims
As part of the settlement, North Georgia Foods entered a two-year consent decree and will notify the alleged harasser that he is not eligible for rehire.
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Peet’s union wins first election
The union victory in Davis, California, is another score for organized labor in the cafe sector, which has seen a rash of campaigns in recent years.
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Report: QSR traffic down 4.2% in Q4
Net sales were up 6.1% during the quarter due to an uptick in average check, according to a report from Revenue Management Solutions.
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Study: Only 54% of QSR employees worked 90 days before quitting in 2022
QSR workers are five times more likely to quit over miscommunications with management during their first 90 days than after, HourWork research finds.
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Ransomware attack against Yum Brands follows several incidents targeting restaurant industry
Criminals see restaurants and mobile ordering apps as ripe targets for credential stuffing and financial fraud.
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New York City’s ‘skip the stuff’ bill for foodware items goes to mayor’s desk
The bill to prohibit foodservice establishments from automatically including plastic cutlery and other items is meant to cut down on waste. It’s the latest in the city’s recent laws banning certain single-use foodware.
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Starbucks marketing exec exits after 14 years
The company will immediately conduct an internal and external search for a successor to Jen Quotson, who leaves the VP of global creative studios post.
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Chili’s closes off-premise test unit 2 months after opening
Brinker International said it closed the store to focus on improving Chili’s core business and innovation, including its Kitchen of the Future 3 program.
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Focus Brands hires 3 execs to optimize development
The company appointed a new chief brand officer at Auntie Anne’s, as well as new SVPs of design and construction and real estate at the parent company.
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Grubhub adds emergency assistance features to driver app
Using the Grubhub for Drivers app, couriers will be able to connect to 911 centers or a RapidSOS agent to get assistance in difficult situations.
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One Fair Wage slams NRA for linking training program to lobbying efforts
OFW launched its own food safety training program on Wednesday as an alternative to the National Restaurant Association’s ServSafe program.
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McDonald’s franchisee to pay $1.9M to settle claim that teen workers were sexually harassed
The settlement is the latest EEOC agreement targeting alleged pervasive sexual harassment of teen workers in the fast food industry.
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How Bartaco eliminated wait staff roles to boost wages
Retooling employee responsibilities and adding tip pooling allows the chain to pay average hourly wages of $23, higher than the $17 industry average.
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Franchise spotlight: Teriyaki Madness to double openings in 2023
The Asian chain is signing leases faster than ever and is on a trajectory to reach 500 units within the next few years.
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Brinker adds marketing VP at Chili’s
Jesse Johnson enters the newly created role after a stint at Wieden + Kennedy, where he worked on major ad campaigns for KFC and Procter & Gamble.
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Starbucks, DoorDash will take delivery partnership nationwide
The chain is offering delivery through DoorDash in select markets including Northern California, Texas, Georgia and Florida before expanding in March.
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Wienerschnitzel launches franchisee incentive program
The QSR is reducing royalties and offering marketing funding to entice new operators to grow the chain in markets including the South and Midwest.
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Jollibee debuts double drive-thru in US
The restaurant is the company’s 87th in North America, and it continues to push toward its goal of operating 500 restaurants in the region.
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California court blocks AB 257 during referendum petition verification
The council cannot operate until the law is approved by a referendum in November 2024, or unless California’s secretary of state finds the industry coalition backing the referendum lacks sufficient signatures.
Updated Jan. 17, 2023