How 5 QSR giants are tackling menu pricing, strategy

McDonald’s, Starbucks and Wendy’s took price between 6% and 10% in 2022, and experts expect prices to rise further as chains face economic headwinds. 

By Restaurant Dive Team • March 23, 2023

McDonald’s franchisee declares bankruptcy following rape lawsuit

Rice Enterprises filed for Chapter 11 protections over a year after it was sued over an alleged rape of a 14-year-old employee by a manager. 

By Julie Littman • March 20, 2023

Popeyes franchisee files for bankruptcy following founder’s death

Premier Cajun Kings marks the third franchisee within the Restaurant Brands International’s system to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this year.

By Julie Littman • March 16, 2023

Second major Burger King franchisee declares bankruptcy

Meridian Restaurants Unlimited, which operates over 115 Burger Kings in nine states, cited rising costs and decreased foot traffic as the main drivers of profitability and cash flow trouble.

By Julie Littman • March 9, 2023

Just Salad taps Goldman Sachs vet as CFO

Jared Garber joins the company during the fastest growth period in its 17-year history, and will lead the chain’s financial operations as it scales up.

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 6, 2023

Corner Bakery files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

The cafe chain’s Wednesday filing brings an end to a two-year period with few major restaurant bankruptcy announcements. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 24, 2023

Kiwibot secures $10M in financing to support growth

Through a partnership with Kineo, the delivery robotics company will use the alternative financing to support manufacturing and scale of its robotics fleet. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 22, 2023

Why 2023 isn’t the best time for restaurants to go public

Cava filed a confidential IPO earlier this month and other restaurants are rumored to go public this year, but analysts are worried about chains’ compressed margins and profitability struggles.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 21, 2023

Subway confirms it is looking to sell

The sandwich chain has enlisted JP Morgan to advise its sale exploration process, but did not offer estimates of when the sale might occur.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 14, 2023

Uber One subscription is boosting delivery spend, frequency and user loyalty for Uber Eats

Delivery made up 34% of Uber’s revenue, and ongoing investment in non-restaurant categories, like grocery, c-store and alcohol, may help growth.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 9, 2023

Uber Eats to back community development loans for Black-owned restaurants

The delivery aggregator will partner with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation to provide financing to Black restaurant owners in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 8, 2023

Cava files confidential IPO

The fast casual chain appears to be the first major restaurant chain to seek an IPO this year.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 6, 2023

McDonald’s will lean into chicken, coffee to grow diner frequency

The core menu categories pose significant growth opportunity, McDonald’s executives said Tuesday, as the chain aims to better compete with chicken-only chains and leverage coffee’s high margins. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 31, 2023

Earnings instability has led to fewer restaurant lenders

Despite institutions pulling back from offering loans to restaurants, CapitalSpring’s Erik Herrmann says there are other options.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 30, 2023

90-unit Burger King franchisee files for bankruptcy

Toms King Holdings felt the pinch on cash flow due to increased shipping and food costs, inflation and decreased availability of labor. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 5, 2023

Freshii sells to Foodtastic for $54.5M

Cash-strapped Freshii, which operates 37 U.S. locations out of 330-plus North American stores, marks Foodtastic’s second restaurant buy this month. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 19, 2022

Jack in the Box’s largest franchisee buys Nick the Greek

Anil Yadav’s YTG Enterprises has acquired a controlling stake in the 48-unit chain just over a year after it bought Taco Cabana for $85 million. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 13, 2022

MarginEdge secures $45M in capital

The capital infusion, which the restaurant tech firm will use to grow its team and improve its core products, brings its total funding to over $70 million. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 8, 2022

Bertucci’s declares bankruptcy for second time

The casual pizza chain blamed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, sales declines and increased expenses for the Chapter 11 filing.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 6, 2022

Dine Brands to buy Fuzzy’s Taco Shop for $80M

The acquisition is the first for Dine Brands since it was founded in 2007, and adds a third restaurant to its portfolio. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 5, 2022

Le Pain Quotidien, The Little Beet, Table By Little Beet combine to form Convive Brands

The company will encompass 70 restaurants, which were previously operated by Aurify Brands, under CEO Jon Weber’s leadership. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 21, 2022

Yum Brands sells Russian KFC units, exits country

Smart Service, which is operated by local KFC franchisees in Russia, will be responsible for rebranding 1,000 units to non-Yum concepts. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 25, 2022

RoboBurger secures $10M investment to support growth

The funds from Promethean Investments will help RoboBurger, which opened a pop-up in March, scale production of its second-generation cooking robot.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 20, 2022

Puttshack raises $150M in capital to support rapid US growth

With capital from funds managed by BlackRock and support from Promethean Investments, Puttshack plans to open nearly a dozen U.S. units through 2023.

By Julie Littman , Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 11, 2022

Pizza robot truck startup Stellar snags $16.5M from Jay-Z

The funding from Jay-Z’s Marcy Venture Partners was reported by multiple outlets, and follows an earlier $9 million round led by other investors.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 4, 2022