Taco Bell unwraps fresh song, fake movie trailer for Nacho Fries' return

The chain's original songs and sheet music follow a flurry of recent campaigns around musical branding.

By Barry Levine • June 6, 2019

Starbucks to power 3K stores with renewable energy by 2021

Its partnership with LevelTenEnergy builds on the coffee chain's commitment as the top U.S. retailer to purchase sustainable energy sources. 

By Lauren Manning • June 6, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Loyalty & Rewards Strategy

Capturing — and keeping — loyal customers is more crucial than ever as diner price sensitivity puts pressure on restaurants.

By Restaurant Dive staff

Pei Wei acquired by private equity firm

Centerbridge Partners sold the Asian fast-casual concept to PWD Acquisition for an undisclosed amount, just a few months after offloading sister brand P.F. Chang's.

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 5, 2019

Red Robin deploys 'poison pill'

This move, which comes a day after Vintage Capital increased its stake in the chain, will protect the restaurant from any takeover efforts as it searches for a new CEO and executes its strategic plan. 

By Julie Littman • June 5, 2019

IHOP resurrects controversial 'IHOb' name change, targets burger promo's haters

The chain becomes the latest marketer to incorporate online negativity into its marketing as opposed to letting customer service handle it. 

By Barry Levine • June 4, 2019

OpenTable showcases LGBTQ+ restaurants for Pride Month

The reservation platform joins a growing mix of restaurant brands including Starbucks, sweetgreen and fresh&co that are showing support for the LGBTQ+ community.

By Alicia Kelso • June 4, 2019

Deliveroo launches restaurant makeover competition

The company will fund renovations at six independent restaurants in the U.K. and will provide help with marketing and in-house and delivery operations.

By Lauren Manning • June 3, 2019

Popeyes seeks growth in hot Spanish market

The brand signed a new agreement with master franchisee Restaurant Brands Iberia, which operates sister chains Burger King and Tim Hortons in the country. 

By Alicia Kelso • June 3, 2019

Chipotle CEO isn't ruling out breakfast

While Brian Niccol told investors that the chain won't add the daypart "anytime soon," the restaurant is looking to enhance its beverage options to perk up afternoon sales. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 31, 2019

Chipotle joins spelling bee to pit its ingredients against competitors'

At this year's Scripps National Spelling Bee, some contestants participated in word challenges involving ingredients like "avocado" and "carrageenan."

By Barry Levine • May 31, 2019

Shift Change: Jack in the Box adds 2 board members, Subway bolsters brand and innovation team

This week's Shift Change highlights executive changes at Smoothie King, Red Robin, Subway, Jack in the Box, Tijuana Flats and Golden Chick. 

By Julie Littman • May 31, 2019

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

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