Corporate Operations: Page 35


  • Shake Shack borrows $225M to support expansion plans

    The funding will be used to aid opening additional units, new store formats and drive-thrus, as well as improvements to the digital guest experience and further investments in talent development. 

    By March 2, 2021
  • Taco Bell mobile store
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    Retrieved from Taco Bell on August 20, 2020
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    Yum Brands buys Kvantum's AI business to 'fast-track' data-driven marketing

    The owner of KFC and Taco Bell will combine Kvantum's machine learning tech with culture-based insights from Collider Lab, a consultancy it acquired in 2015.

    By Peter Adams • March 2, 2021
  • A photograph of chefs in a kitchen. Explore the Trendline
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    sam edwards via Getty Images
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    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
  • Two new versions of the Beyond Burger will launch in 2021.
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    Permission granted by Beyond Meat
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    McDonald's, Yum Brands sign global partnerships with Beyond Meat

    The word "exclusive" doesn't appear in either announcement, which could mean the door is open for other plant-based partnerships as the chains ramp up their offerings in the category.

    By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 26, 2021
  • Packaging manufacturers compete for raw materials as takeout shakes up foodservice

    There has been "an increased use of tamper-evident and tamper-resistant packaging, designed to protect food and beverage when it’s on the go," said Natha Dempsey, president of the Foodservice Packaging Institute.

    By Jen A. Miller • Feb. 26, 2021
  • Hooters fast casual concept hoots wings
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    Retrieved from hoots wings on December 08, 2020
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    Hooters’ fast casual chain Hoots Wings signs first franchise deal

    Hoots Wings plans to open 60 franchised locations through its new agreement with Dallas-based AE Restaurant Group. 

    By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 25, 2021
  • Cracker Barrel to test virtual chicken and biscuits brand as off-premise grows 78%

    The company has been operating its ghost kitchen facility in Indianapolis since the fall and plans to launch the concept from the location this week. 

    By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 24, 2021
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    Industry Dive
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    Remote Chipotle ERG will support minority mentorship program

    The group, which will hold virtual roundtable discussions and quarterly diversity and inclusion training, builds on the fast casual chain's past efforts to make talent development more accessible.

    By Ryan Golden • Feb. 24, 2021
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    Julie Littman/Restaurant Dive
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    California fines Burgerim $4M, orders it to refund franchise fees

    The chain sold franchises to 1,550 operators who paid $57.7 million in fees, according to a complaint by the state, but didn't deliver the refunds it promised to many franchisees.

    By Feb. 24, 2021
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    Retrieved from Just Salad on February 23, 2021
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    Just Salad takes its reusable bowl program to go

    While sales of its dine-in reusable program grew 100% in 2019, the pandemic caused more customers to order carryout, which pushed the fast casual chain to offer the bowls for off-premise. 

    By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 23, 2021
  • Olo's curbside enhancement offering launched in 2020
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    Retrieved from Olo/Business Wire on February 22, 2021
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    Olo files to go public with $100M offering

    The software company posted a 94% increase in revenue during 2020 as customers shifted toward digital ordering channels during the pandemic. 

    By Feb. 23, 2021
  • Steak 'n Shake sued for $8.5M in unpaid fees

    Fighting back against the restaurant chain's assertions that it is debt free, Wilmington Trust has filed a claim that it's owed millions in unpaid fees and interest dating back to 2018.

    By Updated April 6, 2021
  • Toast Inc. point of sale device
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    Courtesy of Toast Inc.
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    Toast considering IPO valued at $20B, WSJ reports

    The software company, which processed 50 million digital guest orders in 2020, is also exploring a sale or merger with a special purpose acquisition corporation, per the publication.

    By Feb. 22, 2021
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    Thai Phi Le
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    Noodles & Company plots multi-unit franchise expansion

    The fast casual chain is looking to grow its footprint in Southern and Southwest markets, with a focus on off-premise operations.

    By Feb. 19, 2021
  • McDonald's links 15% of executive bonuses to hiring women, diverse employees

    The pledge follows a series of discrimination lawsuits filed by Black franchisees, which allege corporate intentionally steered Black operators toward underperforming stores. 

    By Feb. 18, 2021
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald's escalates chicken sandwich wars with merch drop

    A capsule collection for the new Crispy Chicken Sandwich includes a hoodie and a vinyl record with a track that will be in the chain's advertising.

    By Robert Williams • Feb. 17, 2021
  • McDonald’s agrees to independent review of contentious technology fees

    At the request of the National Franchisee Leadership, which claims that no outstanding fees were due, the chain said it plans to enlist Ernst & Young to provide certainty that payables are owed. 

    By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 16, 2021
  • Jimmy John's restaurant 2021, QSR
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    Courtesy of Jimmy John's
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    Column

    Campaign Trail: Jimmy John's bets on 'strong DNA' in rebrand designed for digital

    To keep up with its "freaky fast" positioning, the sandwich chain needed to grow up without feeling old compared to its competitors.

    By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Feb. 16, 2021
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    Rosie Bradbury/Industry Dive
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    Sweetgreen preps in-house agency with new exec

    The fast-casual brand hired Thomas Wilder as its first executive creative director, overseeing advertising, packaging, online channels, store experiences and social media.

    By Robert Williams • Feb. 16, 2021
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    Courtesy of Lowe's
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    Deep Dive

    Brands get back together with experiential marketing in time for Valentine's Day

    Dunkin' and White Castle are among the brands offering in-person experiences designed to be memorable and safe. But are consumers ready?

    By Aaron Baar • Feb. 11, 2021
  • Taco Bell is expected to open this two-story drive-thru unit in the summer of 2022.
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    Permission granted by Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell franchisee to break ground this month on new Defy model

    The two-story store with four drive-thru lanes in Minnesota will let mobile order customers use digital check-in screens to scan unique QR codes and then have their order delivered through a proprietary lift system.

    By Updated Aug. 12, 2021
  • Luckin's fall from grace capped by bankruptcy filing in US

    Months after admitting to securities fraud, the Chinese coffee chain — which first surpassed Starbucks' footprint in China in 2019 — will not have to close its stores in the market.

    By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 9, 2021
  • Burger King loyalty
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    Permission granted by Burger King
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    Burger King expands loyalty program nationwide

    The chain expects to have more than two-thirds of its restaurants activated with loyalty capabilities this month and will soon launch a new Royal Perks deal.

    By Updated Sept. 2, 2021
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell decries rivals' celeb menu stunts in 'Build Your Own Cravings' mobile push

    Even as it teases fellow QSRs like McDonald's and Chipotle that have relied on celebrities, Taco Bell's latest effort also features influencers.

    By Chris Kelly • Feb. 8, 2021
  • Danny Meyer's SPAC seeks $250M in IPO

    USHG Acquisition Corp. isn't interested in just restaurant companies, listing businesses from tech to e-commerce and health to retail for potential mergers.

    By Feb. 8, 2021
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    Permission granted by California Walnut Commission
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    Sponsored by California Walnut Commission

    A surprising ingredient for clean, plant-forward dairy alternatives

    Walnuts can be used as a creamy option to thicken soups and sauces, and for dairy-free desserts, without sacrificing flavor or texture.

    Feb. 8, 2021