Hooters of America sold to 2 private equity firms

Nord Bay Capital and TriArtisan Capital, which just bought P.F. Chang's, are acquiring the chain as it continues to struggle with brand perception, sales declines and unit reduction. 

By Julie Littman • July 2, 2019

Franchisees accuse Subway of rigging inspections to shutter stores

The chain's operators claim that it forced them out of business following infractions as minor as a hand print on a window, only to have their stores taken over by competing franchisees.

By Alicia Kelso • July 1, 2019

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

MOD Pizza's early cloud start supports rapid expansion

Having the foundation of the cloud, years before the cloud boom, gave MOD a head start when it came time to scale.

By Samantha Schwartz • July 1, 2019

FAT Brands to expand via ghost kitchens, CEO says

The strategy could help grow Fatburger's delivery footprint and boost sales for its franchisees by cooking burgers at sister brand locations, CEO Andy Wiederhorn said.

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 1, 2019

Shift Change: Yum Brands appoints new CFO, Famous Dave's hires director of marketing

This week's Shift Change highlights new executives at Yum Brands, Famous Dave's, Umami Burger and more. 

By Julie Littman • June 28, 2019

Waitr lays off over 20 employees at headquarters

Following its Bite Squad acquisition, the delivery company has made cuts to its office staff to create more efficiencies, says CEO Chris Meaux. 

By Julie Littman • June 28, 2019

Dunkin' sues franchisees for employment verification violations

The company's move follows terminations of several agreements with franchisees, which collectively operate more than two-dozen units, indicating an increase in oversight related to potential federal labor violations.

By Alicia Kelso • June 27, 2019

McDonald's switch to fresh beef boosted Quarter Pounder sales

Phasing out frozen patties helped drive the chain's first market share gain in five years, and led to a 30% rise in sales of the burger. 

By Lauren Manning • June 25, 2019

Red Robin looks to pizza to drive off-premise sales

The casual chain is testing the addition of Donatos Pizza to its delivery and in-store menu, a move that could brighten its delivery portfolio.

By Alicia Kelso • June 24, 2019

Del Frisco's sold to private equity firm for $650M

Following a strategic review, the restaurant group agreed to an acquisition by L Catterton, which plans to operate Del Frisco's Grille and Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse separately from bartaco and Barcelona Wine Bar. 

By Julie Littman • June 24, 2019

KFC's new flagship to serve as technology learning lab

The store includes self-serve digital kiosks, an area dedicated to mobile order and delivery pickup, and digital menu boards in-store and at the drive-thru. 

By Alicia Kelso • June 21, 2019

McDonald's testing 'Green Concept' stores in Canada

The locations will serve as incubators for new packaging options and recycling initiatives, such as recyclable lids made from wood fiber, paper straws and wooden cutlery.

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 21, 2019

Jury awards $15M to Jack in the Box employee dubbed 'grandma'

A court found the supervisor was subjected to wrongful discharge, retaliation, harassment and age and disability discrimination.

By Lisa Burden • June 21, 2019

Shift Change: Texas Roadhouse president retires, Wendy's hires new CMO

This week's Shift Change highlights leadership changes at Texas Roadhouse, Wendy's and Checkers & Rally's. 

By Julie Littman • June 21, 2019

Dunkin' debuts 'human charger' pop-up for summer solstice

On the longest day of the year, coffee drinkers can visit the activation to snag a free drink, a reusable straw and a tongue-in-cheek user guide.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) , Barry Levine • June 21, 2019

McDonald's pilots robot fryer in kitchen

The fast food chain is also testing voice-activated drive-thrus and automated beverage systems to decrease wait times and improve customer service and employee satisfaction. 

By Julie Littman • June 21, 2019

Taco Bell snubs plant-based meat as Del Taco's Beyond Taco sales soar

Del Taco sold 2 million plant-based tacos in under two months, but Taco Bell is focusing on increasing its vegetarian offerings without adding fake meat.

By Lauren Manning • June 20, 2019

Off-premise, not delivery, is a growing focus for Olive Garden

The casual dining chain has grown its sales in takeout and catering by 9% in the most recent quarter without the help of third-party delivery. 

By Julie Littman • June 20, 2019

Chick-fil-A opens Des Moines kiosk

The move comes as Dunkin' and Nathan's Famous experiment with mobile restaurant concepts in New York, and three years after the chain opened a kiosk in the city to gauge local interest.

By Lauren Manning • June 19, 2019

Dunkin' leverages Grubhub's geofencing to optimize NYC delivery

The test is the first phase of a nationwide delivery rollout through the platform, which will integrate directly into the coffee chain's point-of-sale system to monitor traffic and delivery times. 

By Alicia Kelso • June 18, 2019

Postmates delivers free lunches inspired by Amazon's 'Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'

The delivery tie-in aims to showcase Postmates' delivery services in a competitive market by highlighting cuisine from the hit show.

By Robert Williams • June 18, 2019

Kroger tests 30-minute delivery as restaurant competition grows

As the threat of services like Grubhub and Uber Eats looms, the grocer is offering delivery of fresh produce, beverages and heat-and-eat meals through its Kroger Rush program.

By Jeff Wells • June 18, 2019

Domino's begins driverless delivery test with Nuro in Houston

The pilot will allow the pizza chain to learn how diners interact with the robot and how these deliveries affect store operations. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated April 12, 2021

Activist investor wants to remove five Red Robin directors

Vintage Capital wants the casual dining chain to call a special investors meeting where the shareholder would propose to remove five directors from the board. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated June 19, 2019

Shift Change: Inspire Brands adds 2 to C-suite, McAlister's Deli hires CMO

This week's Shift Change highlights executive changes at Inspire Brands, sweetgreen, McAlister's Deli, Wahlburgers and more. 

By Julie Littman • June 14, 2019