Corporate

Chick-fil-A launches nationwide delivery with DoorDash

The chain began testing the service in select markets in 2017, and is also experimenting with locations specifically designed for delivery fulfillment only. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 14, 2018

Starbucks is laying off 5% of corporate employees

Jobs in marketing, creative, product, technology and store development will be eliminated or shuffled.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 14, 2018

Another activist investor takes a stake in Jack in the Box

Blue Harbour Group disclosed a 6.8% stake in the chain with a goal of holding management talks about capital structure and strategic alternatives. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 13, 2018

Frustrated Papa John's franchisees hire lawyer as sales slip

The chain's restaurant owners' association, which claims operators have been "left to fend for themselves," has hired industry attorney Robert Zarco for representation in talks with the company and former chairman John Schnatter. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 12, 2018

Moe's invests in store remodels, street-style menu items

After years of steady growth, the chain is turning to its Southwestern roots for menu inspiration and a more sophisticated in-store experience.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 12, 2018

Can a sale drive a Papa Murphy's turnaround?

Following its third-quarter earnings report, Papa Murphy's hired North Point Advisors to "evaluate strategic alternatives," including a possible sale.  

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 09, 2018

Honeygrow to shutter all Chicago stores

Despite recent investments, the salad and stir-fry chain has struggled to keep up with high rent and employee training, especially in the dense cities of Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 09, 2018

Impossible Burger will be sold in grocery stores next year

The move into retail will add to the approximately 5,000 restaurants in all 50 states where the plant-based burger is now available — a huge jump from about 50 restaurants a year ago.

By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 09, 2018

Sonic president will lead the chain after Inspire deal closes

Claudia San Pedro, a 12-year-veteran of the drive-in restaurant company, will join Inspire Brands' executive team when longtime Sonic CEO Cliff Hudson retires at the end of the year.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 08, 2018

Papa John's 'Voices' campaign helps shift brand perception

Following efforts to use storytelling to put a more relatable face on the company, consumer sentiment moved from negative to neutral or positive.

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 08, 2018

El Pollo Loco ordered to fix franchisee contracts to open new stores

More than half of the chain's locations are franchised, and operators aren't happy with the company's decision to open corporate-owned stores in close proximity to their longstanding restaurants.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 07, 2018

Q&A

Waffle House serves up emergency preparedness with a side of social responsibility

The chain's restaurants so rarely cease operations that FEMA even has a Waffle House test. But how does it care for employees — and communities — when the worst happens?

By Jennifer Carsen

Papa Gino's parent company files for bankruptcy

PGHC, which owns the New England favorite as well as D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches, abruptly closed 95 stores and laid off 1,100 employees.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 06, 2018

Chicken chain Bojangles' to go private for $594M

The move could give the Charlotte-based company the leverage it needs to better compete with rivals like Chick-fil-A, KFC and Popeyes, and develop long-term growth initiatives.

By Emma Liem • Nov. 06, 2018

El Pollo Loco's rebrand will focus on Hispanic consumers, delivery

The California-based Mexican quick-service chain wants to build on a new logo and store design, focusing on its made-in-house ingredients and family dinners.   

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 05, 2018

Starbucks' renewed focus on coffee, 'happy hour' deals pays off

The coffee giant reported record consumer spending for its fourth quarter, breaking the company out of its U.S. sales slump and growing revenue 10% to $6.3 billion.

By Emma Liem • Nov. 02, 2018

Private equity suitors reportedly wooing Papa John's

Anonymous sources told Reuters that binding offers for the world's third-largest pizza chain are expected in the next few weeks. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 01, 2018

McDonald's employees to shadow influencers in their favorite industries

The chain's mentorship track lets workers learn from people like Empire actor Bryshere Gray, YouTube star Tyler Oakley and dermatologist Meena Singh.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 01, 2018

Applebee's pays $100K to settle transgender hostess' bias suit

EEOC guidance on transgender discrimination has been challenged in court, but the agency continues to enforce its position, suing employers that don't comply with its directive.

By Lisa Burden

Denny's stock surges on news of aggressive refranchising plan

The chain's move to sell nearly all of its company-owned stores comes under the shadow of McDonald's and Jack in the Box's power struggles with their heavily franchised systems. 

By Emma Liem • Nov. 01, 2018

Jack in the Box franchisees ask for board seat, marketing audit

Less than a month after the fast food chain's franchisee association called on CEO Lenny Comma to step down, the group is now pushing for a "solutions-focused meeting" to rein in declining transactions.

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 31, 2018

On-demand delivery startup Deliv secures $40M in funding

The new round raised the company's valuation to several hundred million dollars and offers further evidence of investors' growing interest in the food delivery scene. 

By Jessica Dumont • Oct. 31, 2018

Sweetgreen raises $200M, joins the unicorn club

Fidelity Investments led the funding round in the Los Angeles-based salad concept, which is now valued at $1 billion and plans to use the cash to improve its delivery and supply chain.

By Alicia Kelso • UPDATED: Nov. 13, 2018 at 4:24 p.m.

Parent company of Cinnabon, Jamba Juice considers IPO

Fresh off its Jamba Juice acquisition news, Roark Capital is considering a $1 billion valuation next year for its quick-service restaurant portfolio Focus Brands, which will soon operate 6,000 locations around the world.

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 30, 2018

Walmart plans supercenter transformation with new 'town centers'

Restaurants like Shake Shack and Caribou Coffee are potential partners as the retailer pushes for more shoppers and greater efficiency. 

By Jeff Wells • Oct. 29, 2018