Corporate Operations
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Tamir Kalifa via Getty Images
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 -
Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
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 -
Retrieved from Chick-fil-A on May 07, 2020
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 -
Megan Rapinoe appeared in an ad Subway uploaded to YouTube on July 21, 2021.
Deep DiveCan 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 -
Retrieved from Chipotle on July 15, 2020
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. 07, 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 at 2:05 p.m. -
Courtesy of McDonald's
McDonald's targets net zero emissions by 2050
The burger giant noted it would take serious effort to decarbonize everything from its supply chain to franchisees as part of the United Nations Race to Zero campaign.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 05, 2021 -
Courtesy of Sweet
Burger King's NFT strategy matures beyond stunts toward real engagement
As part of the celeb-backed Keep It Real Meals, customers can scan QR codes and receive collectible game pieces that go toward other rewards.
By Chris Kelly • Sept. 23, 2021 -
KFC names new CEO
Sabir Sami will become the chicken chain's CEO on Jan. 1. He will replace Tony Lowings, a 27-year veteran of Yum Brands and KFC, who will retire in early 2022.
By Julie Littman , Emma Liem Beckett • UPDATED: Sept. 22, 2021 at 11:53 a.m. -
Courtesy of Toast Inc.
Toast raises $870M on first day of IPO
Soon after trading began, co-founder Steve Fredette spoke to Restaurant Dive about investor interest during the company's roadshow and how it regained momentum after a battering from the pandemic.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 22, 2021 -
Dave & Buster's CEO to retire
During his tenure, Brian Jenkins helped the company bounce back from an 87% decline in same-store sales in Q2 2020 to an increase of 3.6% compared to the same period in 2019.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 21, 2021 -
Permission granted by McDonald's
McDonald's to remove virgin plastic from Happy Meal toys by 2025
The QSR will source its toys from renewable, recycled or certified materials, which is expected to reduce fossil fuel-based plastic in the products by 90%.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 21, 2021 -
Retrieved from Chick-fil-A on May 07, 2020
Chick-fil-A names new CEO
Andrew Truett Cathy will succeed his father Dan T. Cathy on Nov. 1 and become the third member of the Cathy family to lead the chain in its 54-year history.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 17, 2021 -
Permission granted by Dunkin'
Dunkin's first digital-only store doesn't reduce labor
The company joins a growing contingent of QSR chains exploring digitally focused store designs with little or no diner seating, including rival Starbucks.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Sept. 15, 2021 -
Retrieved from Chipotle on July 15, 2020
Muslim Chipotle worker files EEOC complaint alleging assistant manager yanked hijab
The restaurant chain told the Council on American-Islamic Relations that it fired the leader after an investigation.
By Katie Clarey • Sept. 14, 2021 -
CFOs debate duration of inflation
"It's not clear yet what inflation will stick and what will be temporary," Chipotle Mexican Grill CFO Jack Hartung said Thursday, reflecting other industry leaders' concerns about planning in a year with unknown parameters.
By Jane Thier • Sept. 13, 2021 -
Courtesy of Burger King
Burger King introduces Keep It Real Meals after banning 120 artificial ingredients
Mirroring McDonald's, the chain tapped celebrities to share their custom orders, but asked them to use their real names instead of stage personas.
By Peter Adams • Sept. 09, 2021 -
Permission granted by First Watch
First Watch IPO could raise up to $218M
The full-service breakfast concept has begun a roadshow for its proposed initial public offering of over 9 million shares, which are expected to be priced at $17 to $20 per share.
By Julie Littman • UPDATED: Sept. 22, 2021 at 10:21 a.m. -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Buffalo, New York-area Starbucks employees move to form a union
If successful, the workers would be the first employees of the company's more than 8,000 locations to unionize.
By Emilie Shumway • Sept. 03, 2021 -
Kate Tornone/Restaurant Dive
EEOC: Applebee's told Black line cook to 'ignore' co-workers wearing Confederate flag gear
The agency's allegations offer employers several reminders about dealing with discrimination in the workplace.
By Katie Clarey • Sept. 03, 2021 -
Courtesy of McDonald's
How McDonald's boosts mobile growth with Famous Orders platform
The burger chain's celebrity tie-ups are a key part of driving app downloads and expanding membership in its new mobile-based loyalty program.
By Robert Williams • Sept. 01, 2021 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle gamifies loyalty program with extra perks
The chain's new Extras feature allows members to access additional points and receive free items faster, personalized challenges and achievement badges.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Sept. 01, 2021 -
FAT Brands
Fat Brands to acquire Twin Peaks for $300M
The deal marks Fat's entry into "polished casual dining," a departure from its rosters of QSR, fast causal and casual restaurant brands, and is the company's second major purchase this summer.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Sept. 01, 2021 -
Julie Littman/Restaurant Dive
McDonald's suggests franchisees close dining rooms
The Golden Arches shared guidance with operators last week on how to shutter indoor seating in areas where COVID-19 cases exceed 250 per 100,000 people, according to Reuters.
By Emma Liem Beckett • UPDATED: Aug. 30, 2021 at 11:03 a.m. -
Courtesy of Toast Inc.
Toast increases IPO to $825M
The point-of-sale company increased its proposed maximum offering price from $100 million on Monday and estimated that its IPO prices per share would range from $30 to $33.
By Julie Littman • UPDATED: Sept. 13, 2021 at 9:04 a.m.
