Corporate Operations

  • A white sign with black text reading 'Compass Coffee' in front of and below a lighted neon saying reading 'Georgetown'
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    DC’s Compass Coffee files for Chapter 11

    The chain faced shortfalls in foot traffic due to significant changes to the workforce and consumption patterns in the Washington, D.C., metro area.

    By • Jan. 7, 2026
  • John Owen, Blaze Pizza's new CEO, glowers at a camera. He is a white man in a black turtleneck and dark suit coat.
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    Courtesy of Blaze Pizza
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    Blaze Pizza names McDonald’s, Subway alum as CEO

    John Owen is tasked with improving the shrinking chain’s menu and operations to insulate it from the fast casual pizza sector struggles.

    By • Jan. 6, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Loyalty & Rewards Strategy

    Capturing — and keeping — loyal customers is more crucial than ever as diner price sensitivity puts pressure on restaurants.

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • Bolla,, firehouse
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    Permission granted by Firehouse Subs
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    Bolla Market opens first of several Firehouse Subs

    The sandwich shop debuted on Nov. 15 at a Bolla Market in Hicksville, New York. Another in Farmingdale is expected for the end of January.

    By Brett Dworski • Dec. 22, 2025
  • A Sweetgreen salad and an order of air fried potatoes.
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    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
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    4 restaurant menu strategy fails in 2025

    From french fries that clogged up core operations to unprofitable doughnuts, national chains tried and abandoned a wide range of menu tactics to woo diners in 2025.

    By • Dec. 19, 2025
  • A cup of chicken from Chipotle
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle adds protein snack cups

    The fast casual giant framed the new items, which offer four-ounce portions of meat for about $4, as both a health and value play.

    By • Dec. 18, 2025
  • People walking in front of a Sweetgreen on Aug.8, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Sweetgreen cofounder exits beleaguered brand

    Nathaniel Ru, Sweetgreen’s chief brand officer, is retiring after a bruising year for the fast casual chain.

    By , • Updated Dec. 17, 2025
  • A photograph of a gray sign with a red box inside with white letters that says "Jack" under the box it says "in the box."
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    What’s next for Jack in the Box after its Del Taco sale?

    The burger chain is in “survival” mode as it struggles to pay down debt and get back to basics, one expert said.

    By Michael Brady • Dec. 15, 2025
  • An image of a group of people holding balloons and launching confetti. They are in front of a white building with a sign that says Chipotle.
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    Permission granted by Chipotle
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    Chipotle opens 4,000th unit

    The chain is over halfway to its goal of operating 7,000 restaurants across the U.S. and Canada, and plans to add more efficient equipment across its system.

    By • Dec. 12, 2025
  • A Starbucks coffee cup
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    Spencer Platt / Staff via Getty Images
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    Starbucks’ ‘illegal race-based’ DEI at center of Florida AG’s lawsuit

    Starbucks said its hiring practices are “inclusive, fair and competitive, and designed to ensure the strongest candidate for every job, every time.”

    By Caroline Colvin • Dec. 11, 2025
  • An image of a storefront with a sign that says Pieology Pizzeria.
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    sanfel via Getty Images
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    Pieology files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after turnaround fails

    The fast casual pizza chain said it had a plan to revive dozens of underperforming stores, but investors backed out.

    By • Dec. 10, 2025
  • Colin Cochran tells reporters why he thinks Starbucks Workers United will win in Cheektowaga
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    Aneurin E Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    By the numbers: 4 years of Starbucks Workers United

    Years after winning its first election, Starbucks Workers United remains without a contract despite election wins, shopfloor organizing and a national strike.

    By • Dec. 9, 2025
  • A photograph of various cold brew coffee beverages at Sonic.
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    Permission granted by Sonic
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    Sonic tests cold coffee lineup

    The cold caffeine arms race is pushing Sonic to add everything from plain iced coffee to a soft-serve coffee milkshake to its menu.

    By • Dec. 5, 2025
  • A bright pink restaurant interior with big digital display signs.
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    KFC’s Saucy to open 3 more units

    The expansion signals Yum Brands sees the drinks- and tenders-focused concept as an important part of its KFC turnaround.

    By • Dec. 3, 2025
  • An image of a Twin Peaks restaurant with wooden exteriors.
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    Permission granted by Twin Peaks
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    Fat Brands’ bank turns up the heat

    The company’s bank declared another $169 million in debt issued by a subsidiary to be payable in full and immediately, escalating its debt problems.

    By • Dec. 3, 2025
  • An exterior image of a Shake Shack restaurant
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack CFO to step down

    The chain has remade much of its C-suite since hiring Rob Lynch as CEO in 2024, and will set up a new financial operations office as Katie Fogerty departs.

    By • Nov. 25, 2025
  • A Cracker Barrel sign hangs on the outside of a restaurant.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Cracker Barrel CEO survives ouster attempt, board shrinks

    Sardar Biglari’s latest jab at the casual chain’s leadership failed to remove CEO Julie Masino, but succeeded in ousting board member Gilbert Dávila.

    By • Nov. 24, 2025
  • An image of a beige building wiht both Fatburger and Round Table Pizza signage
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    Fat Brands risks bankruptcy as lenders demand payment on $1.3B debt

    The restaurant company defaulted on its obligations earlier this year and lacks the cash to pay its creditors up front, according to an SEC filing.

    By • Nov. 24, 2025
  • A photo of a breakfast combo meal including a cup, three breakfast sandwiches and a container of hash browns on a wrapping paper that says "Rutter's" on a white background.
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    Permission granted by Rutter's
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    How 3 retailers are upgrading meal bundles

    Love’s, EG America and Rutter’s have all developed complex strategies for tying their in-house food with other products. Here are a few of their tips.

    By Christine Blank • Nov. 20, 2025
  • Jack in the Box
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jack in the Box posts worst sales quarter in years, again

    Falling traffic and unfavorable menu mix hurt the burger chain, but executives hope that retraining its entire system will improve consistency and sales.

    By • Nov. 20, 2025
  • Oakberry bowls and smoothies.
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    Courtesy of Oakberry
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    Oakberry signs 100-store Texas franchising deal

    The development agreement would more than double the açaí chain’s presence in the U.S. and focuses on high-traffic, high-visibility locations in metro areas.

    By • Nov. 19, 2025
  • Four colorful drinks on a table.
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    Courtesy of Panera Bread
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    Panera plans to reach $7B in sales by 2028

    The chain’s multi-part strategic plan includes investments in beverage and bakery items and front-of-house labor. 

    By • Nov. 18, 2025
  • An evening image of a building that says Papa Murphy's
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    The image by Rick Obst is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Why Papa Murphy’s rebuilt its loyalty program around a single rule

    “Every pizza earns points,” Papa Murphy’s Jason Focht said. “It's easy to understand, easy to message and easy to execute across all of our channels, including web apps and in-store.”

    By Bryan Wassel • Nov. 17, 2025
  • An exterior image of a Pizza Hut with bricks and red signage
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    Courtesy of Yum Brands/Pizza Hut
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    Column

    Fueling Up: Pizza Hut might be up for sale. Could a c-store chain take a slice?

    Retailers are competing with QSRs and focusing on fresh food more than ever. Following RaceTrac’s recent deal for Potbelly, who says a c-store buyer is out of the question?

    By Brett Dworski • Nov. 14, 2025
  • A beige building with a green sign and white lettering that says "Panera Bread."
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Why Panera’s CEO prioritizes hospitality over tech

    Paul Carbone said the chain is improving order accuracy and store layouts, rather than deploying “technology that’s looking for a problem to solve.”

    By • Nov. 13, 2025
  • A photograph of a drive thru window with a red sign that says "Sorry, We are closed. Thanks for your patronage over the years. Wendys."
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    FireAtDusk via Getty Images
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    Wendy’s could close hundreds of restaurants

    With McDonald’s and Burger King posting same-store sales gains, Wendy’s is under pressure to raise its average unit volume.

    By • Nov. 10, 2025