Chipotle tests Chippy, a tortilla chip-making robot

The artificial intelligence-powered technology was created with Miso Robotics, and is being piloted in Irvine, California.

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 16, 2022

Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson retiring, Howard Schultz returning as interim chief

The coffee giant hopes to find a permanent company chief this fall. In the meantime, Schultz takes the reins as the pandemic ebbs and a union drive sweeps across stores.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated March 16, 2022

Explore the 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's CEO steps down after 10 years

Charlie Morrison will be succeeded by President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Skipworth, who joined the brand in December 2014. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 15, 2022

Red Lobster taps Bloomin' Brands alum as CFO

David Schmidt succeeds Craig Pommels, who left Red Lobster to become CFO of Cracker Barrel in December.

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 14, 2022

How US restaurant chains are responding in Russia

McDonald's, Starbucks and Yum Brands are just a few legacy restaurants ceasing store operations, development and more as the Ukraine war escalates.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated March 17, 2022

Starbucks, McDonald's temporarily close units in Russia

The major restaurant chains now pausing operations in the region include Yum Brands, Starbucks, McDonald's and Papa John's.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated March 9, 2022

Famous Dave's debuts first drive-thru concept in Salt Lake City

The unit will be tested for six months to a year before determining possible expansion plans, said Jeff Crivello, CEO of parent company BBQ Holdings.

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 8, 2022

Jack in the Box trolls McDonald's over broken ice cream machines

The first effort from the QSR's new public relations and integrated campaigns agency of record uses competitive sparring tactics to tap into culture.

By Chris Kelly • March 3, 2022

Friendly's opens its first fast casual restaurant

The 2,700-square-foot restaurant includes seating for 45 customers, a dedicated space for curbside pickup and online ordering for pickup or delivery. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 2, 2022

Denny's refreshes 24/7 heritage with help of diverse TikTok stars

A new brand platform targets younger diners through influencer menu collaborations positioned as different from common "hacks" in the QSR category.

By Peter Adams • March 1, 2022

Domino's CEO Ritch Allison will retire, be succeeded by COO

Russell Weiner will take the helm of the pizza giant on May 1, and current Six Flags CFO Sandeep Reddy will become Domino's CFO on April 1. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 1, 2022

Firehouse Subs names RBI alum as first COO in 13 years

Mike Hancock, a veteran of Tim Hortons and Burger King, is tasked with growing the chain's technology capabilities and expanding its network through franchise deals. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 24, 2022

Chipotle hikes executive pay ties to DEI, environmental targets

Annual bonuses will be impacted by up to 15%, up from 10% in 2021.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 23, 2022

Icahn nominates 2 McDonald's board members amid pork welfare scuffle

While the nominees will stand for election this year, the fast food chain argues Icahn's demands for pork welfare are currently "impossible."

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 22, 2022

Fat Brands CEO and COO under federal investigation

The Los Angeles Times reports Andrew Wiederhorn and his son are being investigated for alleged money laundering and fraud, but Fat says the company isn't the target of the probe.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 22, 2022

Fat Brands' CEO on developing supply chain, labor strategies for the Super Bowl

Andy Wiederhorn talks how shortages and price hikes of the past few years have informed contingency plans ahead of the big game. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 10, 2022

C3 takes over in-room dining at The Westin Las Vegas Hotel & Spa

This marks the ghost kitchen company's latest hotel deal as it works to diversify its offerings through partnerships and its own brick-and-mortar concepts. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 9, 2022

Chipotle’s menu prices are about 10% higher than last year, and still climbing

The menu price hikes contributed to strong quarterly sales, with same-store sales rising 15% over Q4 2020 and total sales hitting $2 billion, exceeding analyst predictions.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 9, 2022

Burgerim sued by federal government in wake of franchise infractions

The suit, filed Monday in California, claims Burgerim's inaccurate franchise disclosure documents and refusal to disburse promised refunds left franchisees with "substantial debt or ruined credit."

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 8, 2022

Fogo de Chao plans to grow restaurant count by 15% in 2022

The steakhouse's expansion plans include entering the New Jersey market as well as locations in California, Florida, New York, Mexico and Brazil. 

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 7, 2022

McDonald's tries to nix racial audit from 2022 proxy

Shareholders' audit proposal comes after the chain recently launched several initiatives aimed at improving diversity within the company.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Jan. 27, 2022

Starbucks scraps vaccine, testing requirements for US employees

The coffee chain is still encouraging workers to get inoculated and has increased precautions, including new quarantine measures.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 20, 2022

The manager red book alternative that restaurants love

Running a successful restaurant operation—from 1 to 100 locations—requires rock-solid communication.

Jan. 18, 2022

Starbucks commits to a more diverse supply chain

The chain plans to increase its annual spend with diverse suppliers to $1.5 billion by 2030, nearly doubling its 2021 spend of nearly $800 million.

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 12, 2022

C3 snags Uber Eats' former ghost kitchen chief

Pasha Mehran joins as chief strategy officer, overseeing collaborations with celebrity chef-driven restaurants and ghost kitchen partners, as well as expansion into suburban markets. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 12, 2022