Corporate
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Private equity firm triples investment with Jack's Family Restaurants sale
Onex Group is in the process of selling the casual dining chian reportedly receiving $835 million in proceeds from the transaction compared to its original investment of $234 million.
By Alicia Kelso • July 22, 2019 -
ColumnShift Change: Luby's, Checker's & Rally's boost IT teams
This week's Shift Change highlights new executives at Rave Restaurant Group, Freshii, QDOBA, Checker's & Rally's and Luby's.
By Julie Littman • July 19, 2019 -
Impossible Foods shortage ends — for now
Even though the plant-based meat manufacturer has stepped up operations on multiple fronts, another shortage could occur if demand were to spike.
By Lauren Manning • July 19, 2019 -
Cooper's Hawk reportedly to be sold for $700M
Several media outlets report private equity firm Ares Management is in the process of buying the upscale casual chain, adding to an already active year for restaurant M&A.
By Alicia Kelso • July 19, 2019 -
Restaurant industry to hire former inmates to ease labor shortage
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation received a $4.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to develop model training and job placement programs for young adults who are currently or were recently incarcerated.
By Alicia Kelso • July 15, 2019 -
Starbucks rolls out express store in China
The new stripped-down format, which is focused on delivery and mobile orders, will better position the coffee chain against its growing competitor Luckin.
By Lauren Manning • July 15, 2019 -
ColumnShift Change: Papa John's taps new chief restaurant operations officer
This week's Shift Change also highlights executives at &pizza, Bonchon, REGO Restaurant Group and CraftWorks Holdings.
By Emma Liem • July 12, 2019 -
Subway to remodel 10,500 stores by 2020
With the help of the sandwich chain's $100 million grant program, 40% of its franchised restaurants will be upgraded by the end of next year.
By Lauren Manning • July 12, 2019 -
Brinker to acquire 116 franchised Chili's restaurants
The restaurant company plans to buy the stores, which generate $300 million in revenue per year, from Louisville, Kentucky-based ERJ Dining.
By Alicia Kelso • July 11, 2019 -
Crate & Barrel serves up 1st restaurant concept
The retailer opened The Table at Crate in collaboration with Cornerstone Restaurant Group, showcasing its products at a sit-down eatery with a bar.
By Emma Liem • July 10, 2019 -
Burger King Sweden dares customers to order its plant-based menu items
The burger chain’s "50/50 menu" gives customers a random chance to receive regular meat patties or plant-based alternatives.
By Robert Williams • July 08, 2019 -
Taco Bell resolves tortilla shortage
A sudden shortage from a supplier had left restaurants without 10-inch tortillas and scrambling to offer menu alternatives.
By Julie Littman • UPDATED: July 12, 2019 at 9:08 a.m. -
Starbucks and Amazon partner on soccer documentary
The deal further cements the coffee chain's storytelling ambitions, which has included other productions like "Hingakawa" and "To Be Human."
By Dianna Christe • July 03, 2019 -
Column
Shift Change: Pret A Manger CEO retires
This week's Shift Change highlights new executives at Pret A Manger, Roy Rogers and the National Restaurant Association.
By Julie Littman • July 03, 2019 -
McDonald's dishes out QR-enabled picnic blankets for hot spot delivery
By scanning a code on the blanket, smartphone users in Sweden send their location to their food-delivery service of choice.
By Robert Williams • July 02, 2019 -
Hooters of America sold to 2 private equity firms
Nord Bay Capital and TriArtisan Capital, which just bought P.F. Chang's, are acquiring the chain as it continues to struggle with brand perception, sales declines and unit reduction.
By Julie Littman • July 02, 2019 -
Franchisees accuse Subway of rigging inspections to shutter stores
The chain's operators claim that it forced them out of business following infractions as minor as a hand print on a window, only to have their stores taken over by competing franchisees.
By Alicia Kelso • July 01, 2019 -
MOD Pizza's early cloud start supports rapid expansion
Having the foundation of the cloud, years before the cloud boom, gave MOD a head start when it came time to scale.
By Samantha Ann Schwartz • July 01, 2019 -
FAT Brands to expand via ghost kitchens, CEO says
The strategy could help grow Fatburger's delivery footprint and boost sales for its franchisees by cooking burgers at sister brand locations, CEO Andy Wiederhorn said.
By Emma Liem • July 01, 2019 -
Column
Shift Change: Yum Brands appoints new CFO, Famous Dave's hires director of marketing
This week's Shift Change highlights new executives at Yum Brands, Famous Dave's, Umami Burger and more.
By Julie Littman • June 28, 2019 -
Waitr lays off over 20 employees at headquarters
Following its Bite Squad acquisition, the delivery company has made cuts to its office staff to create more efficiencies, says CEO Chris Meaux.
By Julie Littman • June 28, 2019 -
Dunkin' sues franchisees for employment verification violations
The company's move follows terminations of several agreements with franchisees, which collectively operate more than two-dozen units, indicating an increase in oversight related to potential federal labor violations.
By Alicia Kelso • June 27, 2019 -
McDonald's switch to fresh beef boosted Quarter Pounder sales
Phasing out frozen patties helped drive the chain's first market share gain in five years, and led to a 30% rise in sales of the burger.
By Lauren Manning • June 25, 2019 -
Red Robin looks to pizza to drive off-premise sales
The casual chain is testing the addition of Donatos Pizza to its delivery and in-store menu, a move that could brighten its delivery portfolio.
By Alicia Kelso • June 24, 2019 -
Del Frisco's sold to private equity firm for $650M
Following a strategic review, the restaurant group agreed to an acquisition by L Catterton, which plans to operate Del Frisco's Grille and Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse separately from bartaco and Barcelona Wine Bar.
By Julie Littman • June 24, 2019
