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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. 9, 2021

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

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. 3, 2021

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. 3, 2021

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. 1, 2021

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. 1, 2021

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. 1, 2021

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

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

45% of consumers say Subway should drop embattled Megan Rapinoe, survey finds

The U.S. soccer star, who appears in the chain's latest ad campaign, is facing backlash after kneeling at the Tokyo Olympics to protest racism.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 18, 2021

Sweetgreen taps former Starbucks executive as new CTO

Wouleta Ayele comes to the salad chain after 16 years at Starbucks. She will help Sweetgreen scale its supply chain and develop its digital platform.

By Roberto Torres • Aug. 17, 2021

Subway's CMO on why the brand's transformation is just beginning

Carrie Walsh details how the brand experimented with new channels and collaborated with agency partners on a campaign featuring top athletes.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 13, 2021

Chipotle to settle EEOC charges of sexual harassment, retaliation

The worker whom the behavior targeted was fired three days after she said she planned to elevate the issue to corporate headquarters, EEOC said.

By Katie Clarey • Aug. 13, 2021

McDonald's requiring US corporate employees to get vaccinated

The decision comes as Chipotle mulls a mandate for its office workers, but the Mexican chain's CEO Brian Niccol says the company is waiting for COVID-19 vaccines to receive full FDA approval. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 12, 2021

Rising prices didn't hurt Q2 restaurant traffic, studies show

Diner spending at restaurants jumped 32% during the period as operators hiked their menu prices to cover labor costs and other inflationary pressures, according to The NPD Group.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 10, 2021

Stockholders sue McDonald's over the handling of Easterbrook firing

This complaint is similar to a suit filed recently against the Golden Arches and Morgan Lewis & Bockius that claims the probe was rushed and the law firm created "an information vacuum" at the company.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 9, 2021