Corporate

Starbucks opens 23,000-square-foot Reserve Roastery in NYC

The format, which boasts coffee flights and a cocktail bar, marks the chain's fourth roastery concept and second in the U.S. 

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 14, 2018

Chipotle rounds out leadership team with 2 new execs

Roger Theodoredis and Tabassum Zalotrawala will take on the roles of chief legal officer and chief development officer, respectively, as the fast casual chain continues its push past high-profile stumbles to become a lifestyle brand. 

By Emma Liem • Dec. 14, 2018

Court advances KFC employee's claim that lactation room wasn't private

The plaintiff claims she was forced to pump in an office that had a video camera and a window through which co-workers could — and did — watch her.

By Lisa Burden

40% of McDonald's owners could lose leases, association says

Company franchisees learned about potential financial risks tied to store remodels at an October National Owners Association meeting, escalating tensions with corporate.

By Kristine Sherred • Dec. 12, 2018

Papa John's debuts 'crusto-currency' reward program

The embattled pizza chain riffs on the crytocurrency craze with its improved Papa Rewards program.

By Erica Sweeney • Dec. 11, 2018

Major Yelp shareholder calls for board shake-up

Missing earnings in 12 of the last 19 quarters, investors want the review site to step up the pace of innovation and take accountability for missteps.

By Kristine Sherred • Dec. 11, 2018

NYC vegan chain by Chloe welcomes new CEO

Patrick Hellstrand joins the popular chain with locations in three U.S. cities and London to aid expansion after a $31 million funding round earlier this year.

By Kristine Sherred • Dec. 07, 2018

Uber Eats tests promoted placement model for restaurants

The program lets restaurants in India to bundle food items together and sell them at a discount in exchange for placement in the app's "specials" section.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 05, 2018

Fatburger owner adds Mediterranean chain to its menu

FAT Brands gets in on the Mediterranean craze with its purchase of Yalla Mediterranean, bringing its total restaurants to over 300 globally. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 05, 2018

Jack in the Box owners take disputes to court

The National Franchisee Association, representing 85% of the company's restaurants, claims that the chain has failed to provide marketing audits and forced unnecessary repair costs on owners.

By Kristine Sherred • Dec. 05, 2018

Shake Shack owner nixes fast casual model at NYC pizzeria

After 15 months as an upscale fast casual restaurant, Union Square Hospitality Group's Martina will switch to a more traditional table-service model.

By Kristine Sherred • Dec. 05, 2018

New executive hires prime Potbelly for a turnaround

Retail veteran and new CFO Thomas Fitzgerald and other key leaders could provide a boost for the company after it has struggled since its 2013 IPO.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 04, 2018

Strong Thanksgiving dining spend signals growth through New Year's

Spending was up 4.1% Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, with quick-service restaurants posting strong market share fueled by mobile offerings. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 04, 2018

Chili's parent company opens first airport Maggiano's in Dallas

It’s not easy for restaurants to permeate the convoluted, high-security system of airports, but when executed well, these locations can be worth the hassle and higher rent costs. 

By Kristine Sherred • Dec. 04, 2018

Amazon to close London restaurant delivery service Tuesday

The tech giant's retreat comes just two years after its launch in the city, and amid reports that rival Deliveroo is looking to raise $500 million from investors and double its valuation. 

By Emma Liem • Dec. 03, 2018

McDonald's honors 'hamburger menu' creator with Reddit takeover

Reddit users can unlock discounts through the burger chain's app or chat with Norm Cox during an "Ask Me Anything" session today.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 03, 2018

Dunkin' hit by online data breach

Hackers used information from other company data breaches to gain access to DD Perks accounts, as well as customer names, emails and passwords.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 30, 2018

McDonald's extends renovations deadline to 2022

As tensions with franchisees rise, the chain will let operators delay remodeling — which includes self-order kiosks and extra drive-thru lanes — but at a cost.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 29, 2018

Report: As major bidder backs out, Papa John's may have to recover on its own

The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Trian Fund Management has pulled itself out of acquisition talks, which sent the restaurant’s shares in a tailspin, and remaining bidders only want a slice of the chain. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 28, 2018

Q&A

Abuelo's CMO dishes on social influencers and scooping up the growing Gen Z market

The Tex-Mex chain's Renae Scott discusses influencer marketing's challenges and opportunities and what success looks like to the company.

By Jacqueline Renfrow

Will additional funding for Deliveroo spark a deal with Uber Eats?

The London-based delivery company is reportedly looking to raise up to $500 million from investors to strengthen its current valuation of $2 billion to as much as $4 billion. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 27, 2018

QSRs to grow 4.6% globally by 2022, bolstered by consumer demand

North America leads the quick-service segment, but growth in Asia and Europe will revive the category as global diners push for unique experiences in convenient packages.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 27, 2018

Hy-Vee launches delivery from six Market Grille locations

The Des Moines, Iowa-based grocer's latest delivery test includes lunch and dinner options that can be ordered through the restaurant's dedicated app. 

By Krishna Thakker • Nov. 27, 2018

Global food delivery companies struggle to reach profitability

Shares of Chinese delivery giant Meituan Dianping have dropped more than 20% since September, as the company drives sales in exchange for profit. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 26, 2018

Q&A

Q&A: Panda Express carries the Chinese-American torch, 35 years later

Culinary director Jimmy Wang shares how the restaurant has evolved since its launch in 1983 and how iconic menu items like orange chicken acclimated U.S. consumers to Chinese food.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 26, 2018