Corporate Operations

Starbucks, Amazon Go open cashierless store concept in NYC

The two plan to open additional stores in 2022, as more retailers experiment with grab-and-go technology. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 19, 2021

Sweetgreen goes public with $364M IPO

The fast casual company, which isn't yet profitable, plans to use technology to increase restaurant-level margins and average unit volumes.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 18, 2021

McDonald's duets with Mariah Carey to celebrate the holidays

In a tie-up with the "All I Want For Christmas Is You" singer, the chain will supercharge its celebrity-powered efforts through 12 days of free items.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 12, 2021

Panera Brands plans to go public

Danny Meyer's special purpose acquisition company, USHG Acquisition Corp., will become a cornerstone investor in Panera Brands and Meyer will invest directly in the company once it goes public. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 9, 2021

P.F. Chang's wants to offer self-delivery nationwide by 2023

Candice Barnett, VP of off-premise dining, discusses how the service is performing and why staffing a delivery fleet is worth it despite labor pressures. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 4, 2021

McDonald's powers up 'Friendsgaming' livestream with FaZe Clan to unite gamers

As part of the event riffing on the Friendsgiving concept, the duo created a merchandise pack of co-branded gaming gear and DoorDash delivery codes.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 2, 2021

Why franchisors are targeting Texas and Florida

A friendly business environment, strong population growth and lax COVID-19 restrictions have made the two states popular for franchise expansion.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 1, 2021

Emerging technologies call for robust data network

Data-driven decisions will expand beyond sales and staffing applications to guest services, supply-chain logistics and menu development, allowing restaurants to adapt what to sell in real-time as demand dictates.

Nov. 1, 2021

KFC scores new CMO with Nintendo's Nick Chavez

With more than 11 years at Nintendo of America, the executive has deep industry knowledge that reflects the growing importance of gaming and digital to consumer-facing brands.

By Chantal Tode • Oct. 29, 2021

McDonald's workers strike in protest of alleged sexual harassment

The fast food chain has been embroiled in controversy regarding its culture for some time.

By Kathryn Moody • Oct. 28, 2021

Starbucks will raise hourly wage floor to $15 a year ahead of schedule

The coffee chain's U.S. workers will be paid $15 to $23 an hour next summer, with an average of nearly $17. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 28, 2021

How McAlister's plans to become a $1B brand by 2024

Chief Brand Officer Mike Freeman discusses how franchisees are supporting the deli chain's growth goal to reach over 650 units.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 28, 2021

Dig raises $65M to fuel expansion, employee benefits

The vegetable-centric restaurant plans to use the funding to reopen units closed during the pandemic and add locations in new markets, growing from 30 to 60 units in the next three years. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 27, 2021

Zaxby's taps former El Pollo Loco chief as CEO

Bernard Acoca will take the helm of the chicken chain in January, and co-founder and current CEO Zach McLeroy will transition to chairman.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 26, 2021

Sweetgreen expects to double its footprint as a public company

The fast casual chain, which had 140 locations as of the end of September, expects to diversify its real estate with drive-thru and pickup only locations. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 26, 2021

Franchisees are flocking to fast casuals to grow. Here's why.

As the segment shows greater resiliency compared to casual dining, restaurant operators are making deals for expansion, taking advantage of a real estate surplus and rebounding traffic.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 25, 2021

Portillo's eyes 600 units following its $405M IPO

CEO Michael Osanloo said the Chicago-based chain's new capital structure allows it to pay off significant debt, and it expects to open locations in nearby Midwestern states and the Sunbelt.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 22, 2021

Panera aims to be carbon negative by 2050

The chain also unveiled a slate of sustainability goals for 2025, including more reusable packaging and renewable energy.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 20, 2021

McDonald's US corporate stores reach gender pay parity

The burger giant currently pays women globally 99.85 cents on the dollar for similar work completed by men, but expects to hit pay parity worldwide in 2022.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 19, 2021

Restaurants are plotting aggressive franchise expansion. Here's where — and why.

Surging diner demand, strong franchising sales and second-generation real estate left by shuttered eateries have created a market primed for expansion, with chains targeting Southern states with lax COVID-19 rules.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 18, 2021

El Pollo Loco CEO resigns

Bernard Acoca leaves his position after three and a half years, during which time he oversaw a rebrand, two restaurant redesigns and a push into digital platforms and innovations.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 15, 2021

Chick-fil-A customers sue chain over 'deceitful' delivery costs

The proposed class action lawsuit claims that though the QSR promised a flat, low-price delivery fee of $2.99 to $3.99, it charged 25% to 30% more for food ordered online for delivery than food ordered in-store or for pickup. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 13, 2021

Can QSRs meet marketing's new imperatives without alienating franchisees?

National brand building is often in conflict with the needs of local operators — a dichotomy that has only become more apparent in the past 18 months.

By Chris Kelly • Oct. 12, 2021

Chipotle agrees to $8M settlement in manager trainee classification suit

If approved by a court, the agreement — the latest in a string of labor-related settlements at the chain — will end nine years of litigation.

By Kate Tornone • Oct. 7, 2021

Half of Raising Cane's corporate staff will work in restaurants to fight labor shortage

Office workers will also help with store-level recruitment as the chicken chain aims to hire 10,000 hourly employees in the next 50 days.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Oct. 6, 2021