KFC wants to add plant-based poultry to its menu

Chick-fil-A is also exploring vegan options, but with neither Beyond Meat nor Impossible Foods offering alternative poultry products yet, it could be a while before chicken chains go plant-based. 

By Lauren Manning • May 31, 2019

Domino's tests AI quality control technology

An AI-equipped robot will determine whether each pizza meets the company's quality metrics, analyzing pie type, toppings and topping distribution. 

By Lauren Manning • May 30, 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

Sweetgreen unveils Pride-focused marketing campaign

The chain is also rolling out its first national print and marketing campaign this summer, and plans to donate $1 from every bowl sold on June 2 to a homeless assistance program targeting LGBTQ+ youth.

By Lauren Manning • May 29, 2019

Arby's has no plans to add plant-based meat

The meat-centric chain is bucking the current plant-based trend despite a growing swell of QSRs hopping on board and making sales and traffic gains.

By Lauren Manning • May 28, 2019

Chick-fil-A taps AI to identify food safety issues

The chicken chain is using a customized artificial intelligence system to analyze social media posts for potential health risks across its system.

By Alicia Kelso • May 28, 2019

Stop & Shop kicks off a food truck tour

The grocer joins a handful of restaurants, such as Red Robin and Auntie Anne's, using food trucks to market products to customers.

By Jennifer Sweeney • May 28, 2019

Burger King hosts 'Whopper Loans' contest to drive app orders

Customers who order food from the BK mobile app could win up to $100,000 to pay down their student debt.

By Robert Williams • May 24, 2019

Shift Change: Sizzler has a new CEO; MOD Pizza adds 2 board members

This week's Shift Change highlights executive changes at MOD Pizza, Sizzler and the parent company of Papa Gino's and D'Angelo's.

By Julie Littman • May 24, 2019

Jimmy John's adds limited-time wine pairing

The sandwich chain joins the likes of Dunkin' and IHOP with the creation of a specialty alcoholic beverage meant to pair with new menu items. 

By Lauren Manning • May 23, 2019

McDonald's launches anonymous sexual harassment hotline

The fast food company also enhanced its anti-sexual harassment policy in the wake of 25 charges and suits that have been brought against it. 

By Alicia Kelso • May 22, 2019

MOD Pizza eyes 1K locations within next 5 years

With an infusion of $160 million in new capital, the fast casual pizza chain will also invest in tech-focused initiatives like digital ordering, its loyalty rewards program, off-premise programs and personalized marketing. 

By Lauren Manning • May 22, 2019

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

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