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Yogurtland plans to double footprint by 2028

The roughly 230-unit frozen yogurt concept is targeting major U.S. markets, including Phoenix, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, Texas, as well as Florida.

Chuck E. Cheese parent creates YouTube-inspired virtual brand

LankyBox Kitchen, a collaboration between Virtual Dining Concepts and CEC Entertainment, expands Chuck E. Cheese’s virtual brand offerings, which include Pasqually’s Pizza & Wings. 

Labor federation asks SEC to examine Starbucks’ gift card breakage rate

Starbucks counts a certain percentage of unused gift card dollars as revenue, but the Strategic Organizing Center is seeking to force the company to disclose more about its calculations of “breakage” revenue.

Grubhub to deliver Rite Aid products in 16 states

As delivery companies diversify their offerings, Grubhub is stepping into the drugstore vertical in a partnership encompassing 2,000 Rite Aid locations.

DoorDash becomes WeWork’s exclusive delivery partner

DoorDash for Work, a corporate meal solution, will deliver food and beverages for WeWork community events at over 200 U.S. and Canada locations.

Want a drive-thru? Make sure your menu is ready

With drive-thru customers expecting faster speed of service, chains are honing in on what items work and don’t work to get orders completed quicker.

Over 110 unionized Starbucks stores strike on Red Cup day

In the union’s largest one-day strike to date, thousands of workers walked out on Thursday, coinciding with the company’s yearly reusable holiday cup debut.

PepsiCo adds ghost kitchen capabilities for foodservice partners

Partners will have access to a turnkey, scalable option to bring menu items to new or existing markets, increase off-premise sales and boost revenue.

Quiznos to boost Arizona presence with multi-unit franchise deal

Franchisee Parish Patel will develop 30 units over the next seven years, increasing the sandwich chain's presence in the state more than eightfold.

Panera whips up milkshakes in menu test

The three shakes, which are available for $5.79, are being tested in select markets in Texas and could be rolled out nationwide next year.

NYC proposes $23.82 hourly delivery worker wage by 2025

A proposed app-based delivery worker wage would initially rise to $17.87 in January from a reported hourly average of $7.09, excluding tips.

As chains expand drive-thrus, speed of service becomes paramount

Drive-thru ordering remains in high demand long after dining room lockdowns, and chains are making sure their design and layouts help maximize efficiency. 

Chipotle’s 500th Chipotlane opens in Kentucky

The company is on track to open 235 to 250 new restaurants this year, 80% of which will include its digital pickup lanes. 

RBI appoints ex-Domino’s CEO Patrick Doyle as executive chairman

Doyle, who served eight years as Domino’s chief executive, joins the company as it pursues a transformation of its domestic Burger King branding.

Caribou Coffee opening first US franchised unit

The store in Wooster, Ohio, is part of the company’s first multi-unit agreement with Mike Mariola, who intends to develop locations in several Ohio markets. 

Friendly’s parent promotes Sherif Mityas to CEO

Brix Holdings promoted Mityas from president to CEO as it finished integrating recently acquired brands into its system.

Wingstop exec joins Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams as CEO

Wingstop’s chief revenue officer will lead the dessert chain, which sells ice cream through retailers and roughly 70 of its own shops, beginning in December.

How 6 restaurant giants are hiking menu prices

Brands like Chipotle, McDonald’s and Starbucks are walking a tightrope — charge enough to protect the bottom line without alienating customers.

Drive-thru drag: Construction delays, rising costs slow development

Inflation and labor disruption are forcing restaurants to get creative with site selection to obtain prime drive-thrus and mobile pickup window real estate.

Fat Brands hires restaurant tech exec as first chief growth officer

Jeremy Theisen will oversee the recruitment of new franchisees and multi-unit deals with existing partners, the company said Monday.

Study: 63% of small restaurants wanted Republicans to control Congress

Most small businesses are concerned with rising interest rates and feel the GOP would've been better equipped to manage macroeconomic challenges.

Subway plots growth through automated vending fridges

The smart fridges, which debuted at the University of California, San Diego in September, are seeing interest from franchisees. 

DoorDash enhances driver safety

A year after introducing its SafeDash program, DoorDash has added five additional functions, including real-time safety alerts and check-ins.

Uber Eats adds holiday purchasing features

Customers can now schedule gift cards, send meals to friends and family, buy from a curated holiday shop and use advanced search for alcoholic beverages. 

Sweetgreen to open first drive-thru in Chicago suburb

The fast casual's first drive-thru for digital pickup orders, dubbed "Sweetlane," is part of its strategy to test new store concepts and bolster online sales.

Updated Nov. 14, 2022