Corporate: Page 2

The Cheesecake Factory rehires majority of 41K furloughed employees

In a sign that business is normalizing, the company is also restoring full pay for corporate and bakery administration employees, who had salaries reduced 10% to 20% in April due to pandemic pressure. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 28, 2020

McDonald's goes toe-to-toe with Wendy's with its spicy McNuggets LTO

The chain will launch the item Sept. 16, about a year after Wendy's brought its spicy nuggets back, which is boosting same-store sales. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 27, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Trendline

Independent restaurants

In an industry built on in-person interactions and long-term relationships with customers, the COVID-19 crisis was a serious blow to independent operators, but many have pivoted and found new ways to reach diners.

By Restaurant Dive staff

Ruby Tuesday employees left in the dark about restaurant closures

The chain has closed more than 150 restaurants this year and some locations are not notifying employees in advance, Business Insider reports.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 26, 2020

Deep Dive

Sex, lies and the C-suite: How McDonald's clawback battle highlights need for strong misconduct policies

Corporate ethics experts feel the chain isn’t doing enough to establish a zero-tolerance policy following news of ex-CEO Steve Easterbrook's inappropriate relationships with female employees.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 26, 2020

KFC drops 'Finger Lickin'' slogan around the globe as hygiene concerns persist

Deeming the 64-year-old catchphrase inappropriate during the pandemic, the brand is expanding a pause as part of its first global campaign.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 25, 2020

Wawa pilots dinner menu

The convenience store is testing items like braised chicken and all-natural Angus burgers across hundreds of stores in six states and Washington, D.C. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 25, 2020

Chipotle accused of shortchanging customers in lawsuit

A complaint claims the chain isn't providing proper change to diners, potentially costing consumers upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 24, 2020

Cracker Barrel snubs activist investor with new board appointment

The casual chain has tapped Gisel Ruiz, who served in executive positions at Sam's Club and Walmart, over Sardar Biglari's nomination of ally Raymond Barbrick.

By Emma Liem Beckett • UPDATED: Sept. 16, 2020 at 8:20 a.m.

Shake Shack to pay employee bonuses at end of year

The chain ended its 10% bonus pay program for hourly employees on Aug. 19, but will give all of its employees between $250 and $400 depending on position. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 21, 2020

Punch Bowl Social's hospitality push is on hold, new CEO says

John Haywood will focus the eatertainment concept on reopening locations in September, resuming expansion in the spring and surviving "another tough 12 months."

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 20, 2020

Taco Bell is launching a mobile-focused, double drive-thru model in 2021

The QSR's new concept will feature a smaller footprint, a priority pickup lane for diners who order via its app and "bellhops" that will offer tablet ordering at the drive-thru and curbside pickup areas. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 20, 2020

Chipotle managers refused nursing mom pumping breaks, class-action suit alleges

The plaintiff alleged the managers told her she "should have managed her time better before coming into work," in refusing her break time on one occasion.

By Lisa Burden • Aug. 20, 2020

Pizza Hut creates chief equity officer role, launches antiracism initiative for educators

In the newly created position for Pizza Hut U.S., Chequan Lewis will be responsible for developing processes and implementing policies that will create a more equitable workplace culture.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 19, 2020

Popeyes looks to end year early with Times Square countdown celebrating chicken sandwich

As the mega-popular menu item celebrates its one-year anniversary, the brand is hosting a mock New Year's eve event in August.  

By Dianna Christie • Aug. 19, 2020

How Waitr's CEO made the company profitable in 6 months

Since Carl Grimstad joined the delivery company, employed drivers were switched to contractors, more restaurants joined the platform and it expanded into grocery and alcohol delivery.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 19, 2020

Pizza Hut's largest franchisee zeroes in on Red Roof dine-in format in its store closures

NPC International, which filed for bankruptcy in July, said it will close up to 300 locations and will reallocate employee resources to "thriving locations." 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 18, 2020

Johnny Rockets will grow via ghost kitchens, Fat Brands CEO says

Andy Wiederhorn said that Johnny Rockets gives franchisees diversified burger options and the chance to scale a new brand through virtual kitchens out of other Fat Brands restaurants.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 18, 2020

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill files for bankruptcy as nontraditional locations remain closed

Nearly half of the chain’s 25 restaurants are in places like college campuses and airports, which have remained shuttered since March. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 17, 2020

Easterbrook fights to keep McDonald's severance, claims company knew of inappropriate behavior

The former CEO's attorney argues that because McDonald's had possession of his emails in October, the restaurant doesn't have grounds to accuse Easterbrook of breaking his deal with the company.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 17, 2020

Q&A

Exit interview: Punch Bowl Social founder plans to launch social club, 'urban Waffle House' for millennials

Robert Thompson is leaving the eatertainment concept he founded in 2012 to pursue hospitality and restaurant concepts that cater to post-pandemic diner behavior.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 14, 2020

Fat Brands continues expansion tear with purchase of Johnny Rockets for $25M

The deal, which is expected to close in September, will bring the Fatburger parent's store network to about 700 and raise its annual sales to over $700 million. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 13, 2020

Buffalo Wild Wings names Target brand manager as new marketing chief

Rita Patel steps into the role as the largest sports bar brand in the U.S. faces uncertainty around restaurant reopenings and the fall sports season.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 11, 2020

McDonald's sues former CEO after probe uncovers 3 more relationships with employees

The chain's investigation revealed that Steve Easterbrook allegedly tried to destroy information, including nude photos of employees sent from his corporate email.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 10, 2020

Uber Eats grows its restaurant partner roster by 50%

About 30% of the time, restaurants with their own couriers called on Uber Eats to supplement their delivery networks as demand outstrips operators' in-house capacity.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 07, 2020

Domino's taps supply chain exec as next CFO

Following news of CFO Jeffrey Lawrence's planned retirement, the global pizza chain promoted Stu Levy, executive vice president of supply chain services.

By Jane Thier • Aug. 07, 2020