Corporate Operations: Page 21

  • A man and a woman set against blank background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Mod Pizza
    Image attribution tooltip

    Mod Pizza hires Panera vet as first chief development officer

    Stephen Blum will lead store development in this new role, and Becky Mulligan has been promoted to the new position of chief restaurant officer to oversee franchised and company-owned stores. 

    By • Sept. 20, 2022
  • The image shows a row of drinks, including coffee and soda, available through Panera's Unlimited Sip Club
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Panera
    Image attribution tooltip

    Panera will allow loyalty customers to choose rewards

    MyPanera members, who already receive perks based on frequency of visits, spend and preferences, will have multiple options to redeem instead of pre-selected rewards. 

    By • Sept. 20, 2022
  • A photograph of chefs in a kitchen. Explore the Trendline➔
    Image attribution tooltip
    sam edwards via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    Menu 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
  • Wingstop added thighs to its menu in September following the launch of its virtual brand Thighstop.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Wingstop
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wingstop names Little Caesar’s alum SVP of US development

    Craig Sherwood will focus on growing the chain’s footprint through new and current franchisees as it aims to reach 4,000 units in the U.S.

    By • Sept. 19, 2022
  • An image of a curly haired woman amid a gray background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Bloomin' Brands
    Image attribution tooltip

    Bloomin’ hires HR vet as chief human resources officer

    Suzann Trevisan brings over 27 years of experience in human resources to her role at the company, which has faced labor cost growth. 

    By • Sept. 19, 2022
  • First Watch restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by First Watch
    Image attribution tooltip

    First Watch launches a secondary IPO

    The move comes weeks after Portillo’s announced a secondary offering, and may signal increasing confidence in the market after a slow IPO year.

    By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 14, 2022
  • A Starbucks Store
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    The 4 biggest takeaways from Starbucks’ Investor Day

    The coffee chain laid out plans to target loyalty growth, labor efficiency and international openings, with a goal of reaching 45,000 stores by 2025.

    By • Sept. 14, 2022
  • A McDonald's store is shown in Houston, Texas.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s strikes 15-year solar energy deal

    The partnership with EDF Renewables is expected to meet the electricity consumption of over 1,200 McDonald’s restaurants. 

    By • Sept. 14, 2022
  • An image of a redesigned Starbucks line.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks, Joshua Trujillo
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks debuts kitchen system to boost speed while keeping customization

    In a demonstration during the the chain’s Investor Day, a barista could make a mocha frappuccino almost 50 seconds faster than with Starbucks’ old model. 

    By • Sept. 14, 2022
  • Starbucks workers on strike outside a Seattle Starbucks in June 2022.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Christopher Doering/Restaurant Dive
    Image attribution tooltip
    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Starbucks expands non-union benefits with savings, student loan repayment tools

    Starbucks maintains its position that it can’t legally extend benefits to unionized stores without bargaining on a store-by-store level, but the union claims these perks are meant to quash organizing. 

    By • Sept. 13, 2022
  • Burger King gets a fresh look
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Burger King
    Image attribution tooltip

    RBI announces $400M marketing and remodel overhaul for Burger King

    The company’s programs, Fuel the Flame and Royal Reset, aim to modernize the brand and remodel 800 restaurants by the end of 2025.

    By • Sept. 12, 2022
  • John Kelly is the incoming chief company restaurant office at Inspire Brands.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Inspire Brands
    Image attribution tooltip

    Inspire Brands adds chief company restaurant officer, two brand COOs

    These appointments coincide with Inspire’s turn toward nontraditional growth, including digital-only stores, ghost kitchens and modular construction. 

    By • Sept. 9, 2022
  • Brian Wright CEO of Bar Louie
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Bar Louie
    Image attribution tooltip

    Bar Louie taps Tijuana Flats chief as CEO

    Brian Wright’s experience leading a three-year growth push at Tijuana Flats could improve Bar Louie’s expansion, profitability and diner experience. 

    By • Sept. 8, 2022
  • Au Bon Pain interior rendering
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Au Bon Pain
    Image attribution tooltip

    Au Bon Pain to roll out modernized store design companywide in 2023

    The chain’s cafes will feature a self-serve bakery and to-go areas to add efficiencies for off-premise customers.

    By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 7, 2022
  • An image of a woman standing in front of a blue background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Bojangles
    Image attribution tooltip

    Bojangles brings on Subway vet as VP of growth

    Patricia Halpin, who has over 20 years of restaurant experience, joins the chain as it signs large deals with new and existing franchisees. 

    By • Sept. 2, 2022
  • The Starbucks logo hangs outside one of the company's cafes in Northwich on 3 July, 2008 in Northwich, England.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks names restaurant outsider as CEO

    Laxman Narasimhan, who served as CEO at consumer health company Reckitt, will assume the top role in April and work alongside interim CEO Howard Schultz during the transition.

    By , • Updated Sept. 1, 2022
  • An image of a white and red restaurant with Krystal on the signage
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Krystal
    Image attribution tooltip

    Krystal’s prototypes spark new life for once-bankrupt brand

    Two years after a new owner bought Krystal out of Chapter 11, the brand plans to scale to 500 restaurants by 2027.

    By • Sept. 1, 2022
  • McDonald's Black & Positively Golden Change Leaders
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of McDonald's
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s launches new program to support Black community leaders

    The chain will select 10 applicants to receive financial resources and advertising support for their community-driven missions. 

    By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 29, 2022
  • An image of a beef sandwich, fries and a drink with Portillo's branding on it
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Portillo's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Portillo’s taps Cracker Barrel exec as chief development officer

    Mike Ellis will be an instrumental part of the company’s growth strategy as it aims to reach 600 units within the next decade.

    By • Aug. 29, 2022
  • Panera new store design
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Panera
    Image attribution tooltip

    Panera tests drive-thru AI

    The chain is working with OpenCity to deploy AI technology to two cafes in upstate New York with the goal of 5% to 10% faster service times.

    By • Aug. 29, 2022
  • An image of two white men in suites
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Denny's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Denny’s hires presidents for both its brands

    John Dillon, Denny’s chief brand officer, will become president of Denny’s while David Schmidt, current Red Lobster CFO, will oversee Keke’s Breakfast Cafe.

    By • Aug. 26, 2022
  • A picture of a man in a suite and a woman
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Focus Brands
    Image attribution tooltip

    Focus Brands taps operations experts for exec roles

    Shelley Harris and William Armstrong’s experience could support the company as it targets non-traditional and off-premise-focused growth. 

    By • Aug. 25, 2022
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Flickr user Mike Mozart
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s hires PepsiCo exec as global chief impact officer

    Jon Banner joins the chain as it looks to improve its sustainability initiatives and its corporate and store-level culture around diversity. 

    By • Aug. 25, 2022
  • An image of a white building with a sign that says Krystal
    Image attribution tooltip
    Cculber007. (2005). "Krystal" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Krystal hires CMO

    Casey Terrell, a former Focus Brands executive, joins the brand as it looks to accelerate growth by deploying a new prototype and partnering with celebrities.

    By • Aug. 24, 2022
  • A picture of various salad bowls
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Woworks on August 23, 2022
    Image attribution tooltip

    Woworks creates 2 VP of culinary roles

    The holding company brought on Cole Thompson and is transitioning executive chef Katie Cavuto to each oversee menu development at three different brands.

    By • Aug. 24, 2022
  • An image of an adult male dressed in a blue sweater.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by SPB Hospitality
    Image attribution tooltip

    SPB Hospitality appoints interim CEO, CFO

    After his promotion to temporary chief, Josh Kern hired Jessica Hagler as chief financial officer of the restaurant group, which owns J. Alexander’s and Logan's Roadhouse, among others.

    By • Aug. 23, 2022