Lunch Break: Taziki's CEO Dan Simpson talks delivery and data control

Should restaurants partner with third-party platforms or build out their own fleet of drivers? For Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe, the answer was both. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 18, 2019

Shift Change: Dunkin' CMO resigns

This week's Shift Change also highlights new executives at Tropical Smoothie Cafe and departures at Waitr Holdings. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 18, 2019

Impossible Whopper trial drove 18% traffic growth at Burger King

Barclays compared traffic at the chain's St. Louis restaurants where it trialed the burger to area McDonald's locations and Kansas City Burger Kings — neither of which saw comparable gains. 

By Lauren Manning • Oct. 17, 2019

Chipotle dishes up degree program to prepare workers for '21st century' jobs

Unlike its guacamole, the benefit will come at no cost. The restaurant will cover 100% of tuition costs for 75 types of business and technology degrees.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett , Katie Clarey • Oct. 17, 2019

Starbucks outspends pumpkin spice competitors in advertising, adds print to mix

The chain got a jump start on the popular fall flavor trend in August, bringing back its themed drinks and supporting ads.

By Dianna Christe and Chantal Tode • Oct. 17, 2019

Burger King splices doorbell footage into video ad for Uber Eats delivery

The King visited hundreds of Los Angeles homes that had Amazon Ring doorbell cameras, and agency MullenLowe assembled footage into an ad.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 16, 2019

Dunkin' CMO who helped spearhead rebrand exits after 2 years

Stepping down Dec. 1, Tony Weisman will assist in the CMO replacement search, which is effective immediately.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 16, 2019

Taco Bell recalls 2.3M pounds of beef on heels of tortilla shortage

The chain pulled the product from 21 states this week over possible metal shaving contamination, which could hurt its brand perception. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 16, 2019

Uber will lay off about 350 employees across Eats, rest of system

This downsizing marks the firm's third round of layoffs since August, adding up to over 1,000 job cuts, but CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said it's "the last wave."

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 15, 2019

Taco Bell beefs up World Series campaign with sports betting

The fast food chain updated its "Steal a Base, Steal a Taco" promotion to include real-money bets in states where sports betting is legal.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 15, 2019

Domino's franchisee delivers $800K settlement in drivers' underpayment suit

The settlement highlights a number of concerns — including tip credits and uniform deductions — that employers should note.

By Jennifer Carsen • Oct. 15, 2019

Cracker Barrel buys Maple Street Biscuit Company for $36M

The casual dining chain will convert its fast casual Holler and Dash concept, which investors have called "an ill-conceived project destined to fail," to Maple Street concepts in the near future.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 11, 2019

Chick-fil-A must close first UK restaurant after pilot period, shopping center orders

Following pressure from local gay rights groups, the popular chicken chain — which opened a store in Reading, England, only eight days ago — will not be permitted to stay in the Oracle shopping center beyond its six-month test.

By Julie Littman • Updated Oct. 18, 2019

How Wendy's plans to get breakfast right this time

The restaurant expects the morning daypart to make up 10% of its daily sales, and its breakfast strategy will use less labor and lower food costs compared to previous attempts.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 11, 2019

Shift Change: Red Robin appoints board chair, Subway hires 4 execs

This week's Shift Change also highlights new executives at Taco Bell, Dunkin' Brands, Good Times Restaurants and Tim Hortons. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 11, 2019

Subway names new CMO as chain looks for turnaround

Carrie Walsh is the first permanent marketing chief in several months, and joins the company after it shuttered 1,100 stores last year.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 10, 2019

Potbelly, Macy's deal will bring sandwiches to shoppers

As its foot traffic declines, the struggling department store will add outposts of the sandwich chain inside three California stores and one New York location.

By Lauren Manning • Oct. 10, 2019

Starbucks expands family planning benefits to cover surrogacy, insemination

The additional reimbursement comes just a month after the coffee chain expanded its mental health benefits.

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 9, 2019

Food and beverage workers rank low in happiness, financial fitness

Some of the employee value proposition trends embraced by other industries haven't caught on in a meaningful way in food and beverage. 

By Riia O'Donnell , Kate Tornone • Oct. 9, 2019

Carl's Jr. grills up second Beyond Meat burger

The fast food chain will sell its Beyond BBQ Cheeseburger starting on Wednesday, expanding its plant-based offerings after selling 4.5 million Beyond Famous Star burgers since December.

By Lauren Manning • Oct. 8, 2019

Worker alleges Taco Bell fired him for refusing to lie his way out of jury duty

An exception to the "employment at will" doctrine protects employees who refuse to participate in an illegal act, court documents noted. 

By Lisa Burden • Oct. 7, 2019

Impossible Foods CEO: Plant-based competitors 'suck' and stifle industry growth

Pat Brown also said the company's supply shortage is over, and he expects to regain restaurants that stopped carrying its product "once we can assure them that we got them covered."

By Christopher Doering • Oct. 7, 2019

Shift Change: Shake Shack CFO adds president role, Black Bear Diner hires CFO

This week's Shift Change also includes leadership news from McDonald's, Inspire Brands, Juice It Up, Huddle House, Cracker Barrel and Noodles & Company.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 4, 2019

Wendy's role-playing game features a realm threatened by frozen beef

Debuting at New York Comic Con, "Beef's Keep" is a "Dungeons & Dragons"-like tabletop game.

By Barry Levine • Oct. 4, 2019

Shake Shack CFO adds job title of president to role

Tara Comonte, who has served as CFO since 2017, will be one of the few CFO-presidents in the C-suite.

By Jane Thier • Oct. 3, 2019