Ad Age: Taco Bell sponsors Bleacher Report's NBA-focused Instagram account

The fast food chain is the first to sponsor House of Highlights on a weekly basis.

By Robert Williams • April 29, 2019

Domino's tests GPS delivery tracking in Phoenix

The technology lets customers follow drivers on a map via app or online and receive real-time mobile notifications, and helps managers increase store operation efficiencies. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 29, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

How AI is shaping the restaurant industry

Automated technology can transform restaurant systems and relieve pressure from rising operating costs, opening up new opportunities for chains looking to sharpen their value proposition. 

By Restaurant Dive staff

McDonald's Germany adds 1st vegan burger

While the fast food chain has been rolling out vegan options in international markets, it has yet to do so in the U.S., despite plant-based initiatives by rivals Burger King, Carl's Jr. and White Castle.

By Lauren Manning • April 26, 2019

Panera appoints Krispy Kreme exec as CEO

Niren Chaudhary, who also worked for 20 years at Yum Brands, will replace Blaine Hurst in May and help the company's next stage of growth in the U.S. and abroad. 

By Julie Littman • April 26, 2019

KFC drops sexy Mother's Day video

Dessert biscuits from Cinnabon and a video starring a Colonel Sanders-inspired Chippendales dancer ripping off his shirt are part of the push for one of the chain's busiest days of the year.

By Dianna Christe • April 26, 2019

Whole Foods adds new in-store eateries in Florida and California

American rotisserie Bird in the Hand and Nekter Juice Bar will help the grocer offer unique dining experiences for shoppers as part of its Friends of Whole Foods program. 

By Jennifer Sweeney • April 26, 2019

McDonald's, AARP partner on jobs for older workers

The partnership comes as the restaurant and its franchisees gear up to hire 250,000 workers for the summer.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Valerie Bolden-Barrett • April 25, 2019

Papa John's opens 2,000th overseas store as competition intensifies

The chain is growing international units in the double-digits as it struggles domestically, but Pizza Hut and Domino's also are eyeing global markets.

By Alicia Kelso • April 24, 2019

How McDonald's super sizes its data for an optimized supply chain

The restaurant giant will use artificial intelligence to change its drive-thru menus, enabling new capabilities behind the scenes in demand planning.

By Craig Guillot • April 23, 2019

Peet's expands Order Ahead service

The chain's customers can now buy coffee, food and beans for pickup through its mobile app, joining a throng of coffeehouses doubling down on convenience.

By Lauren Manning • April 18, 2019

Taco Bell pens open letter pushing fans to take down Taco Tuesday

The "Taco reBELLion" campaign appears to parody the recent spate of cause-driven, politically charged marketing from other brands.

By Peter Adams • April 18, 2019

Shift Change: McDonald's hires franchise exec; Chick-fil-A adds new board members

This week's Shift Change highlights executive changes at McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Dutch Bros Coffee, El Pollo Loco, CKE Restaurants and Black Bear Diner. 

By Julie Littman • April 18, 2019

McDonald's cutting premium burgers from menu

Following its reduction to its late-night menu, the fast food chain is cutting its Signature Crafted Recipes from its menu, a strategy that falls in line with its desire to shorten drive-thru times. 

By Julie Littman • April 17, 2019

Dunkin' pilots multi-tender options for loyalty program

Allowing customers to earn rewards no matter how they pay should keep the brand competitive while Starbucks and others revamp their programs to make it easier to earn points.

By Lauren Manning • April 17, 2019

McDonald's bets personalization will keep diners lovin' it

The fast food giant's $300 million acquisition of Dynamic Yield reflects growing diner demand for engaging, digitally tailored brand interactions, says Wi5 CEO Prask Sutton. 

By Prask Sutton • April 16, 2019

Restaurants adding surcharges to cover healthcare costs

Despite the added price, diners have been willing to pay additional fees that go toward employees' healthcare costs, paid time off and other benefits. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 16, 2019

Burger King plans to treat chickens better, and now they're going plant-based. Where's McDonald's?

Improving its animal welfare standards and introducing more vegetarian options could drive profits and protect against public backlash, says Kenny Torrella, VP of public engagement at Mercy for Animals.

By Kenny Torella • April 15, 2019

Starbucks launches $1.3M 'Cup Fund' for UK recycling programs

Launched in partnership with environmental charity Hubbub, the fund will offer individual grants of up to $131,000 to support paper cup recycling initiatives in at least 10 U.K. locations.

By Rina Li • April 15, 2019

McDonald's cage-free egg progress signals an industry sea change

The chain claims to be 33% cage-free on its way to reach 100% by 2025, and analysts predict the move will bring these egg costs down.

By Alicia Kelso • April 12, 2019

Shift Change: Kona Grill appoints interim CEO; Subway gets a new CIO

This week's Shift Change highlights executive changes at Subway, Kona Grill and Farmer Boys. 

By Julie Littman • April 12, 2019

Papa Murphy's acquired by MTY Food Group for $190M

The sale will give the take-and-bake pizza chain new capital investments that could help top line sales growth and increase franchisee profitability.

By Julie Littman • April 11, 2019

Jeni Britton Bauer on how simple goals can create a splendid brand

The founder of Jeni's Spendid Ice Creams shares what it takes to build a brand into a cult favorite, how to encourage creativity and what to look for in a team. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 10, 2019

Dig Inn lands $20M led by Danny Meyer-backed investor, will expand into full-service

The farm-to-table plans to open a sit-down location in New York City, in a move that bucks the industry trend of casual dining chain's launching fast casual concepts to drive growth. 

By Kevin Whiteley • April 10, 2019

Burger King settles lawsuit with franchisee from rodent video

The fast food chain had sued operator Fritz Management to stop using its brand name in 37 locations in Texas, claiming negative media attention following viral videos of rodents in a kitchen is causing sales to decline. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated May 16, 2019

J. Alexander's strikes deal with activist investor

As part of the agreement with Ancora Advisors, the restaurant has appointed an additional board member, echoing similar agreements made by Red Robin and Bloomin' Brands with activist investors.

By Lauren Manning • Updated April 21, 2020