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  • An image of a veal parmesan chop with marinara sauce and mozzarella on a dark table.
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    Permission granted by Maggiano's
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    Maggiano’s is just getting started with menu updates, remodels

    In his first months as the chain’s VP of innovation and growth, Anthony Amoroso helped create new menu items like Rigatoni al la Vodka and updated the Caesar salad, both of which are already driving sales.

  • The Starbucks company logo on a glass door.
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Starbucks appoints former Mars sustainability exec as CSO

    Marika McCauley Sine, who previously served as Mars’ global vice president of sustainability and chief sustainability officer, will oversee the coffee chain’s net-zero transition.

  • An image of a Jack in the Box restaurant.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jack in the Box sales continue to lag, but unit count grows

    Comparable sales headwinds haven’t slowed Jack in the Box’s growth, with the brand opening more stores than it closed for the second year in a row.

  • A rendering of a green building in a corner unit with Griddle & Go branding.
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    Permission granted by Perkins
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    Perkins signs 10-unit agreement for fast casual concept

    In its largest deal since the concept was introduced in September, Griddle & Go will open in New Jersey in October 2025.

  • Paytronix
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    Retrieved from Paytronix website.
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    Paytronix upgrades its software weeks after being acquired

    Additions include an AI tool that answers operators’ questions and a group of features meant to help manage and process online orders.

    M&A
  • An image of a cream and beige building with a drive-thru lane. The building has a logo that says "Chipotle."
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle reaches 1K Chipotlane milestone

    The fast casual chain is also on track to open a record number of restaurants this year in the range of 285 to 315 units.

  • Individuals holding Peet's Coffee seasonal drinks
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    Courtesy of Peet's Coffee
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    Deep Dive

    How do coffee chains design, market and analyze their seasonal LTOs?

    While flexibility is important, many brands plan coffee LTOs more than a year in advance, meaning next year’s holiday drinks are already in the works at places like Peet’s and Dutch Bros.

  • A Smoothie King with a drive-thru.
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    Courtesy of Smoothie King
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    Smoothie King hires Red Robin exec as CIO

    Jyoti Lynch is tasked with creating a comprehensive technology strategy to enhance the guest experience and improve franchise profitability.

  • A sign that says "Since 1956 Jersey Miek's Subs"
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jersey Mike’s sells majority stake to Blackstone

    The transaction, which is expected to close early next year, will allow the sandwich chain to accelerate its growth and invest further in technology.

  • A promotional image for Wendy's 2-for-$3 breakfast bundles.
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    Courtesy of Wendy's
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    Wendy’s hires Ken Cook to succeed Gunther Plosch as CFO

    Cook, a former UPS financial exec, joins the company as it closes some weak stores but sees overall sales strength relative to other QSR burger chains.

  • An image of a woman smiling wearing a blue suit.
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    Permission granted by GoTo Foods
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    GoTo Foods names former IHOP exec as chief commercial officer

    Kieran Donahue will oversee various aspects of the commercial division, including marketing, branding and consumer insights and analytics.

  • An image inside a restaurant crowded with people. The wall says Fresh Brothers."
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    Retrieved from Fresh Brothers on November 18, 2024
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    Craveworthy buys emerging pizza brand

    The multi-brand platform has been on an acquisition spree in 2024, buying Sigri Indian BBQ and Untamed Brands, among others.

  • An evening shot of a building with white and red coloring and signage that says "Portillo's."
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Chains struggle to stand out amid ‘noise’ of value wars

    Papa Johns, Popeyes and Burger King’s value messages did not break through, while Portillo’s sought to sidestep deep discounting.

  • An image of Quarter Pounder, fries and a drink from McDonald's
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s invests $100M to help franchisees recover from E. coli outbreak

    About $35 million will go toward marketing programs that will help drive traffic and rebuild consumer trust.

  • A person walks toward the door of the U.S. Department of Labor building.
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    Kate Tornone/Restaurant Dive
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    $35K overtime salary threshold back in effect

    A federal judge ruled that the Department of Labor’s 2024 rule exceeded the agency’s authority and is unlawful.

  • An image of a beige restaurant with Huddle House signage
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    Permission granted by Huddle House
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    Huddle House signs its biggest franchise deal yet

    The franchising agreement will add a significant number of units to Huddle House’s system, which has seen store counts decline in recent years.

  • A man stands in front of two self-order kiosks at Bojangles.
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    Permission granted by Grubbrr/Bojangles
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    Bojangles to install ordering kiosks across its system

    The chicken chain said its pilot of the Grubbrr technology had high adoption rates and helped increase throughput.

  • Chipotle, Stradmore, LaCroix, D&O law, portion size
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Chipotle defrauded investors with inconsistent meal sizes, says plaintiff seeking class action

    The case is an example of securities lawsuits run amok, a directors and officers liability law specialist says. 

  • Doodles McDonald's cups
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    Courtesy of Doodles
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    McDonald’s holiday cups entertain with Doodles content, digital collectibles

    The fast food giant is collaborating with a Web3-fueled entertainment brand that CMO Tariq Hassan calls “an agent of change in the cultural landscape.”

  • An exterior shot of a Salata store. It's a restaurant with some green umbrellas in front.
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    Courtesy of Salata
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    How Salata plans to triple its store count

    With roughly 100 stores, the salad chain is looking to fill in existing markets, develop its franchisee base and set itself apart from other fast casual brands.

  • Jack in the Box restaurant location
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jack in the Box hires Lance Tucker as CFO again

    Tucker rejoins the brand as it eyes significant franchising growth but faces comparable sales headwinds.

  • Wooden seats and tables inside a Cava. In the background there is a make line with digital menu boards.
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava’s winning comp sales streak continued in Q3

    Cava is the clear leader of the Mediterranean fast casual segment, and has had one of the strongest 2024s of any major brand.

  • A rendering of a Subway restaurant with tables and green walls.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway’s newest design focuses on improving the dining room experience

    During concept testing, guests said the Fresh Forward 2.0 image, which includes warmer wood tones and improved lighting, increased their chances of eating inside a Subway.

  • An overhead view of fried chicken and sides.
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    Courtesy of Church's Texas Chicken
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    KFC sues Church’s Texas Chicken over ‘original recipe’ ads

    KFC claims Church’s use of the marketing phrase will deceive customers into thinking they are buying items from KFC.

  • A white bowl with blue liner that contains a pasta dish with tomatoes, asapragus and lobster.
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    Courtesy of Red Lobster
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    Red Lobster brings back old favorites, new items in menu remake

    The casual chain added seven new dishes and revived classics like hush puppies and popcorn shrimp.