Plant-based meat sizzles at NRA Show as brands eye retail

As Impossible Foods and Before the Butcher gear up for their grocery debuts and develop new products, such as Impossible Sausage for Little Caesar's, Beyond Meat's first-mover advantage in supermarkets may be threatened.

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 21, 2019

QSRs cash in on same-day pay to compete for labor

Some employees from chains including Pizza Hut and Checkers can get paychecks within hours or the next day as restaurants navigate the tightest labor market in 49 years. 

By Alicia Kelso • May 20, 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

Whataburger sells majority stake to private equity firm

The family-owned burger chain, which is reportedly worth more than $6 billion, has sold a majority stake to BDT Capital while the Dobson family will retain minority ownership.

By Lauren Manning • Updated June 14, 2019

Del Frisco's to cut up to 15% of administrative workforce

Following its acquisition of Barteca Restaurant Group, the company has been looking for ways to remove redundancies and improve cost savings. 

By Julie Littman • May 17, 2019

Amazon-led funding raises $575M for Deliveroo

The latest investment will strengthen Deliveroo's position as the top delivery provider in the U.K., putting additional pressure on Uber Eats and Just Eat. 

By Julie Littman • May 17, 2019

Wingstop lets fans 'video bomb' its TV ad

Attendees were filmed using a custom video app and transposed into 15-second ads, with content appearing on a Times Square billboard and social media. 

By Robert Williams • May 17, 2019

Shift Change: KFC US hires new COO; Focus Brands adds first global CMO

This week's Shift Change highlights executive changes at KFC, Focus Brands, Wahlburgers, Nathan's Famous and more.

By Julie Littman • May 17, 2019

Judge doubles Steak 'n Shake's misclassification bill to $7.7M

The restaurant owes overtime back pay and liquidated damages under the Fair Labor Standards Act and Missouri law for allegedly misclassifying managers.

By Katie Clarey • May 16, 2019

Taco Bell is opening a hotel in brand's biggest lifestyle play

The "tacoasis" in Palm Springs, California, will include a pool, on-site salon and gift shop offering exclusive merchandise.

By Peter Adams • May 16, 2019

Potbelly aims to more than double franchisee footprint

The sandwich chain, which currently has 50 franchised locations out of its 480 stores, doesn't plan to refranchise to meet its 2024 goal. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 16, 2019

Jack in the Box is no longer exploring sale

The company is instead planning to implement a new capital structure that is expected to drive shareholder value. 

By Julie Littman • May 16, 2019

Burger King parent aims for more than 40K stores by 2029

This would expand Restaurant Business International's global portfolio beyond McDonald's current store footprint, but the company didn't disclose how the locations would be spread across Burger King, Tim Hortons and Popeyes. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 15, 2019

McDonald's gives franchisees control of all-day breakfast

Local operators will be allowed to pick which all-breakfast items to serve and when, a move that could improve drive-thru times and efficiency.

By Julie Littman • May 15, 2019

KFC's Spotify playlist curates hip-hop songs that mention the brand

Underscoring the brand's role in pop culture, the playlist is being promoted via street-based marketing in Paris.

By Barry Levine • May 14, 2019

Starbucks secures $1B sustainability bond

The coffee chain's third and largest sustainability fund will support its efforts to ethically source coffee as well as build 10,000 green stores globally by 2025.

By Alicia Kelso • May 14, 2019

Impossible shortage burning restaurants that put it on the map

Independents are accusing the company of overpromising production capacity and hanging them out to dry following major corporate partnerships. Will $300 million in new funding be enough to restore both supply and its reputation?

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 13, 2019

Chick-fil-A is researching plant-based chicken substitutes

While there are several meatless burger options, the company could be the first major fast food chain to offer a plant-based chicken item in the U.S.

By Lauren Manning • May 13, 2019

Shift Change: McDonald's taps new CMO, Wendy's creates new exec roles

This week's Shift Change highlights executive changes at McDonald's, Wendy's, Dave & Buster's, Marco's Pizza and Mooyah. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 9, 2019

Eataly to enter Texas with new Dallas location

The beloved Italian marketplace, which includes both a restaurant and grocery store, will open its seventh location inside one of the country's most popular malls in 2020.

By Jennifer Sweeney • May 9, 2019

More franchisee trouble for Subway as it's accused of arbitrary infractions

The schism between the franchisor and some franchisees is a warning sign for the health of the brand, which closed more than 1,000 units last year. 

By Alicia Kelso • May 7, 2019

Schnatter sells $157.5M worth of Papa John's stock

Recently stripped of his contractual rights as founder and with no formal role, Schnatter unloaded an additional 3.4 million shares on Tuesday, reducing his stake in the pizza chain to 19%. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated May 23, 2019

Impossible Burgers run short as manufacturer 'spares no expense' to double supply

Statements from the company confirm its production capacity and increased demand, not trouble sourcing ingredients, has caused the shortage.

By Emma Cosgrove • May 7, 2019

Starbucks taps Microsoft ML for weather, inventory-based order suggestions

The developments with Microsoft are part of a five-year strategy, which includes investigating disruptive technology and creating proprietary solutions. 

By Samantha Schwartz • May 7, 2019

How activist investors led Panera founder to sell

Short-term thinking from shareholders is hurting long-term profits at public restaurants, says Panera founder Rob Shaich.

By Julie Littman • May 6, 2019

Shake Shack, Tender Greens focus on female diversity

In separate announcements, the burger company awarded 60% of its 2018 promotions to women, while the health-focused fast casual said it would fill half of its leadership positions with women by 2020.

By Lauren Manning • May 6, 2019