Red Robin terminates COO without cause

Guy Constant exits the chain after serving for over a year and amid continued investor pressure to improve operations and shareholder value. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 8, 2020

48% of restaurants struggling with rising labor costs, study finds

Restaurants are increasingly turning to technology to alleviate labor woes, but adoption remains low, research from Zenput and Technomic shows.

By Lauren Manning • Jan. 7, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

How AI is shaping the restaurant industry

Automated technology can transform restaurant systems and relieve pressure from rising operating costs, opening up new opportunities for chains looking to sharpen their value proposition. 

By Restaurant Dive staff

Burger King launches Impossible sausage breakfast sandwich

The Impossible Croissan'wich will be available at participating restaurants in five regions and is part of Burger King's plant-based menu expansion plans.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 7, 2020

5 restaurant trends that will define 2020

Analysts predict that ghost restaurants and lifestyle brand campaigns will continue to evolve and shape the market, but Gen Z's influence and interest in micro chains could disrupt the ecosystem.

By Julie Littman , Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 6, 2020

Waitr names new CEO

Waitr has tapped Carl Grimstad as CEO and member of the board effective immediately. This is the delivery firm's third CEO hire in less than two years. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 3, 2020

Chick-fil-A cuts 6 items in streamlined menu test

Locations in Arizona and Charlotte will cut Original Chick-n-Strips, Grilled Cool Wraps and more from their offerings to make way for new items, such as a spicy menu that will also be tested in Charlotte, North Carolina.  

By Lauren Manning • Jan. 3, 2020

Tim Hortons president stepping down

Alex Macedo, who has been president of Tim Hortons since December 2017, will leave his role in March.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 27, 2019

Chipotle accused of firing NYC employee who tried to unionize

The general counsel of the National Labor Relations board filed the complaint on Dec. 12, which also claims that the fast food chain promised promotions to employees who provided information about union organizing. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 20, 2019

Burgerim's franchise registration is now suspended in Maryland

The chain, which claims to be the fastest growing burger franchise in the U.S., could file for bankruptcy by the end of January, while a number of locations have closed. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated Jan. 3, 2020

Coke, McDonald's logos deliver AR content via Snapchat Scan

The visual search feature will allow McDonald's users to unlock three lens by scanning french fry boxes, food trays and burger wrappers.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 20, 2019

British invasion: How LEON plans to dominate — and change — American fast food

The London-based QSR's fresh, quality ingredients have pitted it against U.S. fast casuals, but the chain's founder wants to "reinvent McDonald's" so that it's healthy, sustainable and fun. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 20, 2019

10 of the most impactful restaurant acquisitions of 2019

Restaurants and private equity continued to be active buyers this year as restaurant leaders explored ways to grow amid labor and declining traffic pressures.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 20, 2019

Private equity firm acquires 117 Pizza Hut restaurants

Triton Pacific's purchase comes after the pizza chain made plans to restructure its business to address high debt levels and lack of access to capital.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 19, 2019

Shake Shack in-houses AOR staff

Joining the QSR's marketing team, Agency Within employees will focus on digital experiences such as the recent food delivery deal with Grubhub.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 19, 2019

Subway's executive shuffle continues with 3 more exits

After a new CEO and CMO take the helm, two senior execs are retiring and one is departing due to company restructuring.

By Lauren Manning • Dec. 19, 2019

Chipotle tests pickup windows as part of digital push

The new design will be tested in six restaurants with various formats and include premium placement of built-in pickup areas.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 19, 2019

McDonald's to roll out mobile app payment technology starting in UK

The chain's partnership with Dutch tech company Adyen NV to process mobile app payments furthers the company's focus on technology worldwide. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 18, 2019

Bojangles' to open 40 locations in Love's Travel Stops

The fast food chain, which decreased unit count in recent years, will expand into Illinois, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Mississippi as part of the development deal. 

By Lauren Manning • Dec. 18, 2019

Restaurant transactions down 7% during Thanksgiving

Both casual dining and QSRs logged higher declines of 8%, according to the NPD Group, but hope still remains for a strong holiday season given positive overall economic indicators.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 16, 2019

Blue Bottle, aiming for 'zero waste' in 2020, could eliminate to-go coffee cups

The upscale coffee chain's goals mirror a larger shift as more and more companies target their waste footprints. The no cup pilot will begin in two California locations.

By E.A. Crunden • Dec. 13, 2019

Shift Change: Jack in the Box CEO to depart; McDonald's names international president

This week's Shift Change also highlights executive news from Black Bear Diner, Potbelly, Dunkin' Brands, Garden Fresh Restaurants, Nathan's Famous, Noodles & Company and Pizza Hut. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 13, 2019

WeWork shutters restaurant coworking startup Spacious

Spacious, which turns high-end restaurants into coworking spaces during off-peak times, will close at the end of the year, making it the latest casualty in WeWork’s failed IPO.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 13, 2019

McDonald's lands major labor win in 2-1 ruling

The National Labor Relations Board absolved McDonald's as a joint employer from responsibility for labor violations brought forward in 2012 by Fight for $15 and other labor groups. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 12, 2019

Potbelly CFO departs for Planet Fitness

Four-time CFO Tom Fitzgerald is leaving Potbelly Corp. on Dec. 27 after one year as finance chief; the Chicago-based sandwich chain is searching for a replacement. 

By Jane Thier • Dec. 12, 2019

Cava secures $40M in latest funding round

The company has now raised over $459 million in funding and is worth over $578 million.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 12, 2019