Can a new CMO provide Papa John's the boost it needs?

After nearly a year without a top marketing executive, Karlin Linhardt will take over the role at the pizza chain where he will help differentiate the brand.

By Alicia Kelso • March 29, 2019

Shift Change: CKE Restaurants, Inspire Brands, Papa John's add new C-suite execs

This week's Shift Change highlights executive promotions and additions at CKE Restaurants, Inspire Brands, Papa John's, Little Caesars, Dickey's and more.

By Julie Littman • March 29, 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

Postmates' latest partnership brings in-app food ordering to Coachella

A collaboration with AEG Presents lets concertgoers skip concession lines and pick up food and merchandise within a few minutes.

By Kevin Whiteley • March 29, 2019

Can the Impossible Burger boost Red Robin's sluggish sales?

The burger chain joins a growing list of major franchises tapping trendy alternative proteins for their menus, and could drive rival casual brands to make similar investments.

By Lauren Manning • March 26, 2019

Arby's, Buffalo Wild Wings parent company names new CIO

CKE Restaurants and Inspire Brands are the latest restaurant parent companies to undergo technology leadership changes.

By Samantha Schwartz • March 26, 2019

San Antonio Airport ban unlikely to ruffle Chick-fil-A's feathers

The hyper-popular chicken chain continues to gobble up market share and earn top scores in consumer satisfaction, despite long-standing accusations of LGBTQ discrimination.

By Kevin Whiteley • March 25, 2019

Shaquille O'Neal joins Papa John's board, becomes a brand ambassador

The addition of the NBA Hall of Famer could help the national pizza chain improve its image, which has suffered as the chain struggles to regain its loyal customers following founder John Schnatter's ouster.

By Julie Littman • March 22, 2019

Shift Change: Chipotle, Papa John's add female board members; 3 Potbelly directors depart

This week's Shift Change also highlights executive news at Smoothie King and Starbucks. 

By Julie Littman • March 22, 2019

Starbucks teases coffee traceability app feature, compostable cup trial

The innovation will allow customers to scan their packaged coffee with their phones to learn about its origin and journey to store, a move that could brighten the chain's brand halo. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 21, 2019

Postmates rolls out free group delivery feature

The delivery platform's new Postmates Party option functions like Uber Pool for food, an offering that could give it a leg up over competitors if consumers are willing to sit through longer wait times. 

By Kevin Whiteley • March 21, 2019

Hawaii legislators contemplate strict plastics ban

Hawaii could become the first U.S. state to implement a ban on restaurants and retailers from distributing plastic packaging and bags, but many operators worry that switching to alternatives will increase costs.

By Alicia Kelso • March 21, 2019

Maryland legislature advances statewide EPS foam ban bill

The legislation would ban foam containers in restaurants and other food service establishments starting next summer. If signed into law, it will be the first such statewide policy in the U.S.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 21, 2019

Denny's turns to tech, Magic Johnson for new leadership training program

The casual chain is hoping to boost recruitment and retention with programs that use different technologies to teach skills needed for employees to succeed in the restaurant industry.

By Julie Littman • March 20, 2019

Long John Silver's serves up original album, audio coupons for Lent

Twitter engagement for the first song was nearly three times the benchmark after the seafood chain's campaign kicked off on Ash Wednesday.

By Robert Williams • March 19, 2019

Yum Brands works on science-based carbon emissions reduction targets

If Yum sets goals in accordance with Science-Based Targets Initiative standards, it would be the second restaurant group do so — but it's a heavy lift for the firm with thousands of franchised restaurants.

By Emma Cosgrove • March 19, 2019

IHOP to open 19 locations in Pakistan

Dine Brands joins the likes of FAT Brands, Yum and McDonald's expanding into Asia-Pacific markets hungry for convenient and affordable American eateries. 

By Kevin Whiteley • March 19, 2019

Restaurants don't have to choose between environmental responsibility and their bottom line

Buying local and investing in automated inventory systems can help businesses reduce food waste and save money at the same time, Upserve SEO manager Seth Steinman says.

By Seth Steinman • March 15, 2019

Shift Change: Popeyes and J. Alexander's under new leadership, Wingstop adds chief growth and experience officer role

This week's Shift Change highlights exec changes at Dunkin' Brands, Wingstop, Restaurant Brands International and J. Alexander's.

By Julie Littman • March 15, 2019

Arby's, Dunkin' among fast food chains to ban no-poach agreements

To avoid class action suits or scrutiny from antitrust enforcement agencies, employers must proactively purge themselves of no-poach practices.

By Morgan Fecto • March 15, 2019

Order up: Kroger announces new in-store eateries

Mariano's will open Pork & Mindy barbecue joints inside select stores while Kroger Marketplaces in Ohio will soon get outposts of the popular Rapid Fired Pizza chain.

By Lauren Manning • March 15, 2019

Del Frisco's forges ahead on expansion plans despite significant traffic declines

The restaurant group plans to add 11 new bartaco locations by the end of 2020, and CEO Norman Abdallah is hopeful the brand's performance will boost Double Eagle and Del Frisco's Grille's business.

By Alicia Kelso • March 14, 2019

Activist investor says Cracker Barrel's fast casual concept is 'destined to fail'

Sardar Biglari, the chain's largest shareholder, urged CEO Sandra Cochran to sell Holler and Dash in a letter on Wednesday and cited concerns over the holding company's fast pace of expansion. 

By Kevin Whiteley • March 14, 2019

Delivery search engine FoodBoss gains $2M in funding

Former McDonald's CEO Don Thompson led the investment round in the platform, which allows consumers to compare delivery times and costs from major third-party aggregators like Uber Eats and Postmates.  

By Kevin Whiteley • March 13, 2019

McDonald's bets on 'augmented writing' to curb bias in job descriptions

The tech also is expected to help hiring managers and recruiters write job descriptions that reflect the chain's brand voice.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • March 13, 2019

Papa John's takes DoorDash partnership nationwide

The move follows Pizza Hut's pilot with Grubhub, and could signal a sea change in the pizza delivery space as brands try to wrestle share from growing third-party aggregators and the QSR heavyweights leveraging their technology. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 13, 2019