Corporate Operations
-
Nothing Bundt Cakes appoints Starbucks exec as chief development officer
Chris Tarrant, who previously oversaw U.S. and Canada store development at Starbucks, joins the cake chain during a time of rapid growth.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 27, 2023 -
Mod tries expanding beyond pizza with wings test
If the pilot is successful, Mod could add wings to its permanent menu, revising its offerings alongside brands like Pizza Hut, Papa Johns and Pie Five.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 26, 2023 -
Explore the Trendline➔
sam edwards via Getty ImagesTrendlineMenu development
Restaurants big and small are experimenting with their menus to align with the preferences of on-the-go diners and mitigate the impact of rising food costs, supply chain disruption and shrinking consumer discretionary funds.
By Restaurant Dive staff -
Church’s Texas Chicken hires procurement VP
The chain tapped Will Cash, who has supply chain experience at Popeyes and Krispy Kreme, to help lead its purchasing efforts.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 25, 2023 -
Franchise spotlight: Sprinkles bakes up plan to sign 100 franchised units
The cupcake chain opened its first franchised unit at the end of 2022 and is eying extensive domestic and international growth.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 24, 2023 -
Starbucks marketing exec exits after 14 years
The company will immediately conduct an internal and external search for a successor to Jen Quotson, who leaves the VP of global creative studios post.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 20, 2023 -
Focus Brands hires 3 execs to optimize development
The company appointed a new chief brand officer at Auntie Anne’s, as well as new SVPs of design and construction and real estate at the parent company.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 19, 2023 -
McDonald’s franchisee to pay $1.9M to settle claim that teen workers were sexually harassed
The settlement is the latest EEOC agreement targeting alleged pervasive sexual harassment of teen workers in the fast food industry.
By Laurel Kalser • Jan. 18, 2023 -
Franchise spotlight: Teriyaki Madness to double openings in 2023
The Asian chain is signing leases faster than ever and is on a trajectory to reach 500 units within the next few years.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 18, 2023 -
Starbucks, DoorDash will take delivery partnership nationwide
The chain is offering delivery through DoorDash in select markets including Northern California, Texas, Georgia and Florida before expanding in March.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 17, 2023 -
Glenn, Miles. (2022). "Zaxby's" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
KFC veteran joins southern chicken chain as chief supply chain officer
Carl Mount will join Zaxby's to manage partnerships and optimize solutions, starting Jan. 17.
By Alejandra Salgado • Jan. 13, 2023 -
Starbucks’ corporate workers must return to office 3 days per week
Interim-CEO Howard Schultz said low rates of office usage pushed the chain to make office work a requirement for employees living within commuting distance of its headquarters and regional offices.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 13, 2023 -
Wendy’s eliminates chief commercial officer role as part of corporate restructure
The company will shift its focus to more traditional store development and remains committed to building its breakfast daypart, accelerating its digital business and growing its overall footprint.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 13, 2023 -
Former Applebee’s head becomes CEO of Modern Restaurant Concepts
John Cywinski will lead the company, which operates Qdoba, Modern Market Eatery and Lemonade, effective immediately.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 12, 2023 -
Franchise spotlight: Toppers Pizza expects to surpass 100 units in 3 years
A tenured executive team, long-term franchisees and a strong support system are helping the 70-unit pizza chain expand in the U.S.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 12, 2023 -
Shake Shack expects to open up to 70 units in 2023
Of these units, 40 will open in the U.S., including a mix of traditional, drive-thru and non-traditional locations, such as travel centers.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 11, 2023 -
Texas Roadhouse promotes exec to president
Gina Tobin, who has worked at the casual chain for nearly 30 years in various roles, will keep her responsibilities as chief learning and culture officer.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 11, 2023 -
Lanceplaine, Kevin. (2018). "In-N-Out sign" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Unsplash.
In-N-Out Burger will open Nashville restaurants in 2026
The burger chain will invest $125.5 million to establish an Eastern territory office, which will support its first restaurant openings east of Texas.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 11, 2023 -
The image by Cbraccialini is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Red Robin unveils comeback plan for sales, brand positioning
The restaurant chain will focus on improving its basic operations, including labor practices and food quality, that have floundered in recent years.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 10, 2023 -
Five Guys says breach may have compromised applicant data
The fast food chain said in letters to consumers that it first became aware of the breach in September 2022.
By Ryan Golden • Jan. 10, 2023 -
Denny’s taps CEC Entertainment exec as CMO
Sherri Landry succeeds John Dillon, who was promoted to president of the chain in the fall, and will be tasked with amplifying Denny’s cultural relevance.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 10, 2023 -
Burger King taps longtime PepsiCo veteran as CMO
Most recently CMO of Mountain Dew, Pat O'Toole will help grow traffic, accelerate sales and support the chain's Reclaim the Flame plan.
By Chris Kelly • Jan. 10, 2023 -
McDonald’s prepares for corporate restructuring, staff cuts
The chain didn’t disclose how many employees could be impacted by the potential restructuring, which would be part of an initiative called “Accelerating the Organization.”
By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 9, 2023 -
SEC fines ex-McDonald’s CEO $400K for false statements about his termination
McDonald’s was also charged by the SEC for “shortcomings in its public disclosures related to Steve Easterbrook’s separation agreement,” but does not face financial consequences.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 9, 2023 -
Why CEC Entertainment is extending Peter Piper brand with fast casual concept
A year after opening its first off-premise-only Express units, the company is opening a fast casual version of the brand in Kansas City, Kansas.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 9, 2023 -
Texas Roadhouse CFO retires
Tonya Robinson retired earlier this week after a 24-year career at the casual dining chain. Keith Humpich, VP of finance, has been appointed interim CFO.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 6, 2023