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    Courtesy of Roti
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    Roti becomes the latest fast casual brand to file for Chapter 11

    The 19-unit brand cited the end of its rent deferral agreements as a contributing factor in seeking bankruptcy protection.

  • An image of a woman's hand holding a smart phone with an app loaded from Red Robin.
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    Courtesy of Red Robin
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    How Red Robin’s loyalty revamp helped drive same-store sales growth

    The company grew its loyalty membership to over 14.2 million during the second quarter, driven by its May rollout of a revamped points-based program.

  • An Outback Steakhouse restaurant on a cold day.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Bloomin’ names Delta Air Lines exec as CEO

    Michael Spanos, Delta’s executive vice president and COO, joins Bloomin’ as it works on turning around operations after slumping sales. 

    Updated Aug. 26, 2024
  • A photo of Chris Tarrant from Nothing Bundt Cakes
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    Courtesy of Nothing Bundt Cakes
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    Sweetgreen hires Starbucks alum to head development

    Suburban growth and automated stores are major priorities for the salad chain, which is hiring Nothing Bundt Cakes’ CDO, Christopher Tarrant.

  • A photograph of a man wearing a white dress shirt looking to the right.
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    Courtesy of Fortress Investment Group
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    Red Lobster gets another CEO

    The chain’s pending owner has hired Damola Adamolekun to head up the reorganized company, which is planning to close 23 stores at the end of August.

  • A white sign that says Cava in front of a glassed facade building.
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava’s new loyalty program to go national in October

     A new rewards structure is expected to drive traffic and spending, and give the chain access to valuable first-party data.

  • The exterior of a Cava in Chicago
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    Permission granted by Cava
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    Cava’s traffic surges in Q2

    Customers are switching to the fast casual chain from across the restaurant industry thanks to its moderate approach to menu pricing.

  • DOL's sign stands outside its headquarters.
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    Thinkstock via Getty Images
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    Pennsylvania restaurant must pay $1.3M in back wages, withheld tips

    The DOL found the operator of a La Tolteca Authentic Mexican Restaurant violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by creating an illegal tip pool. A federal judge agreed.

  • An exterior shot of a Red Robin restaurant, which is lit from inside, at night
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    The image by Cbraccialini is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Red Robin reports highest guest satisfaction in nearly a decade

    Improvements to its labor model, increased focus on food quality and decreased wait times have all boosted the guest experience, the chain said.

  • An image of a white building with red stripes and KFC branding.
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    Moses Robinson via Getty Images
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    KFC franchisee closes around 25 restaurants in the Midwest: reports

    EYM previously closed Pizza Hut and Burger King restaurants, and its pizza division filed for Chapter 11 earlier this summer.

  • An exterior image of a BurgerFi restaurant
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    Permission granted by BurgerFi
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    BurgerFi hires chief restructuring officer

    The move comes just days after the chain expressed “substantial doubt” over its ability to continue operating given its current financial situation.

  • Taco Bell breakfast burritos
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    Permission granted by Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell will let franchisees stop breakfast

    Ditching the morning meal gives franchisees the flexibility to focus on other dayparts, the brand said.

  • An image of a black building with a red sign that says "Newk's."
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    Permission granted by Newk's
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    How Newk’s will help FSC Franchise Co. become a billion-dollar platform

    After acquiring Newk’s, the platform owned by Capital Spring aims to add another brand to its portfolio as it tries to double its business.

    M&A
  • An image of a man wearing a Burger King crown and holding a Whopper. He is about to eat a Whopper and has his mouth open wide.
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    Courtesy of Walmart/Burger King
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    Burger King offers 25% off food orders to Walmart+ members

    The collaboration could help boost traffic and same-store sales at the QSR chain, which reported relatively flat sales last quarter.

  • An image of a Tony Roma's with red neon backlighting
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    The image by Dirk Ingo Franke is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Tony Roma’s names permanent CEO

    Mohaimina Haque’s appointment marks a “new chapter” at the chain as it seeks to reduce costs and grow internationally.

  • A drive-thru Chick-fil-A consisting of a kitchen suspended over four drive-thru lanes.
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    Courtesy of Chick-fil-A
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    Chick-fil-A’s long-awaited elevated drive-thru opens

    The prototype has four drive-thru lanes, including mobile pickup areas, and can handle more cars than a traditional Chick-fil-A.

  • A photograph of a Grubhub kiosk with a buffet line in the background. These kiosks are used for campus dining programs.
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    Permission granted by Grubhub
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    Grubhub adds 60 schools to campus dining program

    In 2023, student orders on Grubhub’s marketplace were up 30% while delivery orders increased 35%.

  • An image of several cherry and almond pastries with a spoon drizzling icing on top.
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    Courtesy of Panera Bread
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    Panera bakes up new pastries, sweets

    Months after its biggest menu transformation to date, the chain added five baked goods and three croissant breakfast sandwiches to its lineup.

  • A diverse audience of smiling and laughing businesspeople are shown sitting in on a conference keynote. The right side of the speaker's back is visible to the camera.
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    Cecilie_Arcurs via Getty Images
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    9 restaurant industry events to attend in 2024

    The coming year is packed with conferences focused on hot-button restaurant issues ranging from franchise operations to generative artificial intelligence. 

  • Earle Cabell Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Dallas, Texas.
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    The image by Renegomezphotography is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Judge strikes down FTC noncompete ban nationwide

    The ruling comes just 15 days prior to the ban’s Sept. 4 effective date.

  • Corner Bakery storefront
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    Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
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    Suit alleges Boston Market owner Jay Pandya looted Corner Bakery Cafe

    Corner Bakery’s new owner, SSCP Restaurant Investors, say Pandya bled the brand dry through cash transfers to his management firm. 

  • An image of the interior of Freddy's new training and innovation center.
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    Courtesy of Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburger
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    Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers launches training facility to support growth

    The chain’s ambitious growth plans call for more franchisees and managers. Its training and innovation center will help develop brand leaders.

  • Sherif Mityas has been promoted to Brix CEO.
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    Courtesy of Brix Holdings
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    Q&A

    Friendly’s plans a comeback after decades of decline

    The CEO of the chain’s parent company says a new menu, store renovations and social media savvy moves are breathing new life into the retro brand.

  • A empty kitchen inside a Portillo's restaurant that includes a makeline and some signage.
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    Permission granted by Portillo's
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    Why Engaged Capital seeks changes at Portillo’s

    Portillo’s is shrinking its new builds, but the investment firm wants even smaller stores.

  • Freebird World Burrito's brisket-based menu items.
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    Courtesy of Freebird World Burrito
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    Sun Holdings buys 64-unit Freebirds World Burrito

    The Texas-based burrito brand is Sun Holdings’ second purchase of a brand, and proof of its ability to grow as a brand owner, CEO Guillermo Perales said.