Corporate: Page 2

Krispy Kreme prices IPO at $17, far below original plans

The doughnut chain had planned for a range of $21 to $24 per share, but the depressed price could hint at lukewarm investor interest.

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 01, 2021

Au Bon Pain sold to Yum Brands franchisee

The café chain's parent company had planned to sunset the brand, Ampex Brands' CEO said, but Ampex is now looking to expand it beyond the 171 locations it acquires in this deal.

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 30, 2021

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

P.F. Chang's aims to have 50 To Go stores by 2022

The chain currently has 10 of its smaller footprint, off-premise-focused stores open, with 20 additional units underway. 

By Alicia Kelso • June 29, 2021

Q&A

Wendy's CMO on Twitter snark, 'Rick and Morty' and building a $1B breakfast business

Carl Loredo, the chain's marketing chief since 2019, said his overall vision is unchanged by the pandemic, while tactics are evolving to meet tech needs.

By Peter Adams • June 29, 2021

Domino's lets customers bet on speediness of carside delivery with DraftKings tie-up

The challenge lets DraftKings users predict whether orders will actually show up in under two minutes for a chance to win a share of a $200,000 pot.

By Peter Adams • June 28, 2021

Grubhub partners with Las Vegas hotel to replace in-room dining

The deal with Resorts World Las Vegas lets guests order from the resort's 40 food and beverage concepts using the aggregator's app or via QR codes located on the property.

By Alicia Kelso • June 24, 2021

Dunkin' taps Coke marketing vet as US CMO following two-year search

Rafael Acevedo will shepherd a wide range of marketing functions, including digital initiatives, as the chain navigates the pandemic reopening.

By Peter Adams • UPDATED: June 22, 2021 at 9 a.m.

How Yum Brands generates sales, cultural impact with a three-pronged marketing framework

Former CEO Greg Creed and CMO Ken Muench went deep on an R.E.D. strategy — also the subject of their new book — that has turned brands like Taco Bell into category trendsetters.

By Peter Adams • June 17, 2021

McDonald's CEO: '$7.25 in this day and age is not what you should be paying'

Chris Kempczinski said at the CNBC Global Evolve Summit Wednesday that hourly wages will rise to $15 across the industry regardless of legislative mandates due to the strength of the economy.

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 17, 2021

Dutch Bros Coffee files for IPO

The company expects to double its unit growth in the next three to five years with a focus on suburban markets.

By Alicia Kelso • June 16, 2021

&pizza offers $500 bonus to fully vaccinated employees

The incentive, provided to new hires and current employees, builds on the chain's previous offerings of paid-time off and subsidized transportation to get COVID-19 shots. 

By Julie Littman • June 15, 2021

Chipotle airs first national TV ad starring athlete as hype around Olympics builds

A spot featuring soccer player Julie Ertz promotes the brand's largest celebrity-curated menu to date, which is only available on digital and mobile channels.

By Peter Adams • June 14, 2021

Shake Shack taps Goldman Sachs analyst as new CFO

Katherine Fogertey will take the reins at the publicly listed fast casual chain on June 14.

By Jane Thier , Julie Littman • June 10, 2021

Starbucks resurrects reusable cup program after pandemic hiatus

The chain will restart the program on June 22 with a new contactless process that reduces touchpoints between employees and diners. 

By Alicia Kelso • June 09, 2021

Burger King trolls Chick-fil-A with LGBTQ donations during Pride

The latest escalation of the chicken sandwich wars is a not-so-subtle dig at a company with a history of donating to anti-LGBTQ charities.

By Chris Kelly • June 09, 2021

Chuck E. Cheese will hire 5K employees this summer

The eatertainment chain's hiring push may pale in comparison to some of its quick-service peers, but it does illustrate signs of recovery after a tumultuous year that included bankruptcy. 

By Alicia Kelso • June 02, 2021

Sweetgreen refreshes brand identity to spotlight sustainability, focus on 'real food'

The overhaul has been in the works for the past year and is now being implemented across marketing and advertising, social media, physical store design, digital signage, packaging and employee uniforms.

By Peter Adams • May 27, 2021

Q&A

Why Chipotle tapped Discord in its push for fresh recruitment tactics

Chipotle's Director of Talent Acquisition Michael Miller dishes on the burrito giant's hiring event hosted by the instant messaging platform. 

By Katie Clarey • May 26, 2021

Yum Brands partners with University of Louisville to open franchising center

The Yum Center for Global Franchise Excellence will focus on recruiting and educating underrepresented people of color and women about franchising. 

By Julie Littman • May 26, 2021

Grubhub teams with Restaurant Strong Fund to offer $2M in grants

The program's $5,000 grants for select restaurants with five or fewer locations could help fill the gap left by the Restaurant Revitalization Fund's early closure.

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 25, 2021

Chipotle aims to gamify mental health goals with Aduro partnership

Chipotle workers will be able to earn gift cards, healthcare discounts and other benefits by achieving well-being goals set on virtual wellness platform Strive.

By Katie Clarey • May 24, 2021

McDonald's sued for $10B in damages over alleged racial stereotyping

Allen Media Group claims McDonald's operates a tiered advertising structure that differentiates on the basis of race, an accusation that arrived the same day the chain committed to double its investment in diverse media partners.

By Peter Adams • UPDATED: May 21, 2021 at 9:54 a.m.

Domino's CFO Stuart Levy resigns

The pizza chain is searching for a replacement and, in the meantime, has created a new Office of the CFO overseen by CEO Ritch Allison. 

By Thai Phi Le • May 20, 2021

Panera unveils double drive-thru store design

Going forward, all Panera builds and remodels will feature this design, and most locations will be in suburban markets to accommodate the drive-thrus.

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 20, 2021

Goldbelly snags $100M after seeing 300% growth in 2020

The novelty food delivery service will put this capital infusion toward scaling its technology and operations and accelerating the onboarding of new chefs and restaurants. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 19, 2021