Corporate Operations

  • A picture of Burger King signs.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Burger King to hire 60K workers as part of turnaround

    Investment in menu items, marketing and renovations have helped the chain bring in customers. Now it needs the workers to serve them.

    By • April 2, 2026
  • A Starbucks barista hands a customer a coffee
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks adds performance bonuses for frontline workers

    Baristas and shift supervisors could see $300 quarterly bonuses starting in July, while Starbucks is expanding tipping across ordering channels.

    By • Updated 19 hours ago
  • An image of a gray building with a white logo that says "Shake Shack"
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack will overhaul its tech with focus on AI, loyalty

    The fast casual burger brand hopes a new rewards system, modernized point-of-sale platform and AI-backed operational analytics will aid its growth.

    By • April 2, 2026
  • A Firehouse Subs location
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    TennesseePhotographer via Getty Images
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    How Firehouse Subs is leveraging franchise incentives to speed up growth

    RBI’s smallest chain wants to speed up openings and fill in key U.S. markets, with bonuses targeting strong operators and multi-unit development.

    By • April 1, 2026
  • An image of a small restaurant with people gathered around. Thereis 7 Brew signage.
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    Permission granted by 7 Brew
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    7 Brew will open its first college location in the fall

    The fast growing coffee chain’s non-traditional walk-thru locations at high-traffic retailers and universities could help it strengthen its on-premise experience.

    By • April 1, 2026
  • A close up of a white logo that says Wing Stop with a neon green glow.
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    Courtesy of Wingstop
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    Circana: Value and flavor propel Chili’s and Wingstop’s growth

    The two brands rose fastest in Circana’s 2026 Definitive U.S. Ranking as macroeconomic uncertainty pushed consumers towards holistic value.

    By • March 27, 2026
  • An image of a front counter with bundt cakes in the display case
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    Permission granted by Nothing Bundt Cakes
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    Roark reportedly sells Nothing Bundt Cakes to KKR for $2B

    The brand’s fast growth and four-wall EBITDA likely made the 700-unit chain an appealing acquisition target. 

    By • March 26, 2026
  • An image of three large platters in the forefront with various food items. I nthe bagkround there are three cups, chips and tortillas.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    How 10 major restaurant chains are overhauling their strategies

    From Wendy’s to Outback, heavyweight brands are investing in new menu items and operational improvements  — often accompanied by closures and renovations — to get back on track.

    By • March 26, 2026
  • An image of a small Starbucks storefront with brown paneling and green siren logo inside an airport. Several people are sitting in chairs with luggage.
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    Brycia James via Getty Images
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    Starbucks tests new ordering channels for licensed stores

    Kiosks and scheduled orders could be coming to Starbucks cafes in airports, as the chain looks to speed up operations at high-traffic licensed stores.

    By • March 25, 2026
  • Popeyes opened its Times Square location in 2022.
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    Permission granted by Popeyes
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    Popeyes hires US COO from Burger King

    Chris Padoan's appointment signals a greater investment in Popeyes’ store-level execution, as the chain lags its chicken competitors in operations. 

    By • March 25, 2026
  • Sidewalk devilry robots in front of a Wonder location.
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    Courtesy of Grubhub
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    Wonder hires CFO ahead of potential 2027 IPO

    Marc Lore has built a vertically integrated food delivery network including food halls, a makeline manufacturer and Grubhub. Now, he wants to take it public.

    By • March 24, 2026
  • The exterior of a Chicken Salad Chick restaurant.
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    Courtesy of Chicken Salad Chick
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    Why Chicken Salad Chick is driving interest from millennial, Gen Z franchisees

    The brand said a surge of interest from younger entrepreneurs, who want both independence and stability, has helped it fill a 300-unit development pipeline.

    By • March 24, 2026
  • A table set with strike materials for Starbucks Workers United's Nov. 17 national strike.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Starbucks challenged by labor-friendly activist investors

    Starbucks and Workers United may resume bargaining within weeks, despite an ongoing proxy battle over labor relations.

    By • March 23, 2026
  • A spread of pasta entrees from Maggiano's Little Italy.
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    Courtesy of Maggiano's Little Italy
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    Maggiano’s raises portion sizes in Chili’s-style value play

    Increasing portions could help the brand draw more traffic, but structural factors mean its turnaround won’t be as fast — or dramatic — as Chili’s revival.

    By • March 18, 2026
  • An image of various burritos and other items from Taco Bell.
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    Permission granted by Taco Bell
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    Q4 2025’s restaurant winners and loses

    Casual dining? Good, not great. Fast casual? Bad, not terrible. Taco Bell? Living Más. Wendy's? Living Menos.

    By • March 16, 2026
  • Chicken tenders in a basket
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    Courtesy of Starbird
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    Starbird signs Texas deal to more than double footprint

    The fast casual chicken chain’s newest, largest franchising deal will bring 36 restaurants to Houston, Austin and San Antonio.  

    By • March 11, 2026
  • A marketing image for Burger King's reworked Whopper
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    Burger King names 2 new agencies following viral Whopper bite moment

    Mojo Supermarket, now the chain’s U.S. social AOR, claimed credit for a video swiping at McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski’s awkward Big Arch review. 

    By Peter Adams • March 10, 2026
  • A close up photograph of a partial Starbucks siren logo as seen from the top of an office building.
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    David Ryder via Getty Images
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    Starbucks to open Nashville corporate office

    The coffee chain will use the Tennessee location to support its ongoing growth efforts across the Southeast. 

    By • March 4, 2026
  • Jack in the Box restaurant location
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jack in the Box re-elects board, but chair will retire

    Shareholders approved a poison pill and re-elected the board, including David Goebel, despite a challenge from activist investor Sardar Biglari.

    By • March 3, 2026
  • 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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    Deep Dive

    Why are leading fast casuals primarily company owned?

    Franchising is the primary model for development in fast food, but different market dynamics prevail in fast casual.

    By • March 2, 2026
  • A marketing image for Burger King's reworked Whopper
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    Buns, bots and ad-buys: Burger King talks strategy at RBI investor day

    The years-long Reclaim the Flame program will continue with a renewed emphasis on core menu food quality and accelerated refranchising.

    By • Feb. 26, 2026
  • IHOP pancakes
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    Courtesy of IHOP
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    IHOP promotes pancakes with low-tech aesthetics, experiential play

    In a tie-up with musician Mr. Fantasy, the chain is plastering high-traffic areas with old-school flyers reminiscent of the early internet. 

    By Sara Karlovitch • Feb. 26, 2026
  • An image of a Jack in the Box restaurant.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    What’s at stake in Jack in the Box’s board battle with Biglari?

    If the activist investor prevents David Goebel’s re-election as chair, the board could still reappoint him, likely starting a long and expensive board battle.

    By • Feb. 25, 2026
  • A hand lifts a slice of stuffed crust pizza topped with pepperoni and peppers. The slice trails strings of melted mozzarella.
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    Courtesy of Domino's
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    Domino’s wants to double its market share

    CEO Russel Weiner thinks the chain can capture half of the QSR pizza market at the expense of Pizza Hut and Papa Johns.

    By • Feb. 23, 2026
  • Jack in the Box
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Why Jack in the Box bets parking lot paint can cure sales

    The chain hopes improvements to product quality and restaurant cosmetics will reverse sliding same-store sales and help prepare for a full remodel program.

    By • Feb. 19, 2026