All US Starbucks employees to make at least $15 an hour in 3 years

The company's latest commitment follows an announcement to begin increasing pay by at least 10% starting Dec. 14.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 10, 2020

Taco Bell CFO moves to Qdoba after 6 months

Leviathan Winn, who spent the bulk of his career in investment banking before stepping in as Taco Bell's global CFO in May, was named Qdoba's finance chief Monday. 

By Jane Thier • Dec. 9, 2020

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

DoorDash valued at $39B after IPO

By selling 33 million shares at $102 a piece, the food delivery company would raise nearly $3.4 million and become the second largest IPO of the year.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 9, 2020

Executive of the Year: Rob Lynch, Papa John's

Lynch vaulted the pizza chain from a culture crisis left by founder John Schnatter to a path to growth marked by menu innovation, a marketing reset and deep franchisee support.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 9, 2020

Company of the Year: Chipotle

While its digital platform has become a major driver of sales during the pandemic, the company's shifting menu innovation and marketing strategies continue to help boost brand awareness and sales.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 9, 2020

The Restaurant Dive Awards for 2020

From Chipotle to DoorDash, these are the companies and executives that led restaurant industry innovation in a time of crisis.

By Restaurant Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

Papa John's cooks up a supplier diversity program from scratch

A top-down mandate and good data are essential ingredients in a successful effort to diversify suppliers, said the pizzamaker's director of diversity, equity and inclusion.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 8, 2020

KFC gets steamy with Lifetime movie starring Mario Lopez as Col. Sanders

"A Recipe For Seduction" ties to a promotion with Uber Eats, as the marketer looks to link an ambitious original content play with commerce.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 7, 2020

McDonald's the latest restaurant chain to accuse Tyson, Pilgrim's Pride of price fixing

The fast-food giant joins other restaurants, CPG companies, grocery chains and distributors who have levied similar changes against the chicken processors.

By Lillianna Byington • Updated April 8, 2021

McDonald’s US franchisees to shoulder more costs, Bloomberg reports

The fast food chain is ending a $300-per-month subsidy it pays each franchisee and is shifting operators to a "pay as you go" model for tech investment, and operators told Restaurant Businesses these changes caught them by surprise. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 4, 2020

Smashburger settles racial harassment claims

The agreement calls for the restaurant to revise its anti-discrimination policies and implement training for supervisors, management and HR.

By Lisa Burden • Dec. 4, 2020

Cheesecake Factory pays $125K SEC fine over 'misleading' COVID-19 disclosures

The agency claims the chain reported in regulatory filings it was "operating sustainably," but didn't disclose it was burning $6 million in cash per week.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 4, 2020

Fast casual Saladworks opens in a Cincinnati Kroger

The salad chain has opened 22 stores over the first half of 2020 despite the pandemic, leaning into more unconventional locations, including supermarkets and military bases.

By Rosie Bradbury • Nov. 25, 2020

California Pizza Kitchen emerges from bankruptcy with significantly less debt

The company is now focused on expanding its global franchise footprint, innovating its menu and investing in marketing and digital, including continued acceleration of its off-premise channels.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 24, 2020

How 13 casual chains are turning sales around

Even though full-service chains' still face an uphill battle, many are seeing positive results from accelerated off-premise initiatives and new offerings that could last even after the pandemic.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 24, 2020

Papa John's franchisees adds AI phone technology to streamline operations

The platform combines artificial intelligence with human operators to ensure restaurants don't miss orders, which could deepen customer loyalty. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated May 3, 2021

Wendy’s wants to buy NPC International’s 393 units

The QSR put forth a consortium bid with a group of pre-qualified franchisees a week after it filed an objection to a deal proposed by stalking horse bidder Flynn Restaurant Group. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 19, 2020

&pizza commits to a $15 minimum wage by 2022

The chain has pushed for higher wages since its launch in 2012. This marks one of its many progressive initiatives, including providing raises and extra benefits during the pandemic.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 19, 2020

Zaxby's looks to go national as Goldman Sachs buys 'significant' stake

The partnership will help the chicken chain accelerate growth and enhance the guest experience. A spokesperson said it may potentially eye international expansion as well. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 19, 2020

Starbucks boosts employee pay as US wages rise

The coffee giant will hike wages at least 10% for baristas, shift supervisors and cafe attendants hired on or before Sept. 14. Starting pay will also be raised 5%.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 19, 2020

Pandemic revs up drive-thru design innovations

With drive-thru traffic increasing in the double-digits over the last two quarters, QSRs like Arby's, McDonald's, Burger King, KFC and Taco Bell have developed prototypes that better streamline the channel.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 19, 2020

Wendy's files objections to NPC asset sale to Flynn Restaurant Group

The burger chain said in a court filing that it disapproves of costly break-up fees and Flynn's ownership of two competitors, Panera and Arby's, which would violate Wendy's franchisee agreement. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 17, 2020

Dine Brands taps new CEO

​Though the company's overall performance is slowly recovering, Realogy Franchise Group CEO John Peyton will take the reins of the company at a very delicate point in time.  

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 17, 2020

McDonald's USA hires new chief people officer

Tiffanie Boyd's hiring is the latest in a string of executive shuffling in the chain's HR department, a trend sparked by former CEO Steve Easterbrook's ouster in November 2019.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 16, 2020

Chick-fil-A goes modular with offsite restaurant rebuild

Frey-Moss Structures helped the chain create its first modular restaurant in Roswell, Georgia, in about half the time of a traditional scrape and build.

By Zachary Phillips • Nov. 16, 2020