Operations

  • An image of a beige brick buidling with a logo that says Black Rock Coffee Bar
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    Retrieved from Black Rock Coffee Bar on September 12, 2025
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    Black Rock Coffee raises nearly $300M in IPO

    The 158-unit chain is the first major coffee brand to go public since Dutch Bros debuted on the stock exchange in 2021.

    By • Sept. 12, 2025
  • An image of a digital menu board that says "Extra Value Meals are back" on the other panel there is a photo of an egg sandwich and a $5.
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    Permission granted by McDonald's
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    Value menu traffic rose 1% in Q2: Circana

    Foodservice traffic otherwise fell by 1% during the quarter, revealing how various deals and offers are helping bring customers back.

    By • Sept. 12, 2025
  • Homeroom Restaurant in Oakland, California Explore the Trendline➔
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    Permission granted by Homeroom
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    Trendline

    Independent restaurants

    Dining room refreshes, menu innovation and other unique offerings can help independents stand out from competitors, win new customers and keep existing ones coming back. 

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • A photo of the interior of a RaceTrac site.
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    Courtesy of RaceTrac
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    RaceTrac fills a key gap with Potbelly acquisition

    The fast-growing regional chain isn’t known as a foodservice destination. That could all change quickly with this latest deal, experts said.

    By Jeff Wells • Sept. 11, 2025
  • A collection of four different sandwiches on top of apper that has the Subway logo.
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    Permission granted by Subway
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    Subway resurrects Fresh Fit menu

    The latest iteration of the health-focused menu, which debuted in 2007, combines protein-rich options and vegetables to create low-calorie meals.

    By • Sept. 11, 2025
  • An image of a breakfast sandwich, coffee and hashbrowns on a table
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    Permission granted by Portillo's
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    Portillo’s cuts projected openings, breakfast pilot

    The fast casual chain will focus on core markets and simplify operations as pricing and promotional problems weigh on same-store sales.

    By • Sept. 10, 2025
  • An image of a building with Cracker Barrel branding
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    Courtesy of Cracker Barrel
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    Cracker Barrel halts remodels after logo backlash, lackluster test

    The chain only remodeled four stores before deciding to discontinue its reimage efforts, which drew the ire of loyal customers. 

    By • Sept. 10, 2025
  • Exterior of a Potbelly restaurant
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    Potbelly sold to RaceTrac for $566M

    The sandwich shop said its acquisition by the c-store retailer will help it reach its 2,000-unit goal.

    By • Updated Sept. 10, 2025
  • An image of Pinstripes
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    Courtesy of Pinstripes
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    Pinstripes goes bankrupt

    The eatertainment chain, whose founder dreamed of reaching 150 units, is now down to eight after traffic and spending declines pressured liquidity.

    By • Sept. 10, 2025
  • A smiling white man in a suit. He's wearing a jacket with peaked lapels and no tie, for what it's worth.
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    Permission granted by Starbucks
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    By the numbers: Starbucks’ first year under CEO Brian Niccol

    What’s changed 12 months after the chain’s dramatic restaurant leadership shakeup? The numbers reveal a mix of store growth, declining comp sales and continued labor strife. 

    By • Sept. 9, 2025
  • A rendering of a bagel shop.
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    Courtesy of Einstein Bros. Bagels
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    Einstein Bros. Bagels elevates store template

    The bagel chain is the latest restaurant brand to prioritize warmth and a separation between digital pickup and in-store channels in its store design. 

    By • Sept. 9, 2025
  • A portrait of Sean Tresvant, Taco Bell's incoming CEO.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Yum prepares for CEO swap with more exec changes

    As Chris Turner prepares to take over Yum, Taco Bell’s parent company promoted three leaders, including a CFO, and will add a chief scale officer role.

    By • Sept. 9, 2025
  • A photograph of a sign with black letters that says "Waffle House." Each letter is in a box with a yellow background.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Waffle House expands DoorDash delivery partnership nationwide

    While delivery will be available from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. from Waffle House’s digital channels, a handful of restaurants will offer delivery 24/7 from DoorDash’s app.

    By • Sept. 8, 2025
  • Exterior view of Mystic Diner Restaurant lit up with bright blue lights at sunset.
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    Permission granted by Diner Hospitality Group
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    Sponsored by Toast

    How 1 restaurateur saved time and drove sales with Toast’s AI Marketing Assistant

    How a Connecticut diner uses AI to market smarter, help save time and drive sales.

    Sept. 8, 2025
  • An empty Starbucks redesigned with lots of green and open space.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    An inside look at Starbucks’ coffeehouse redesign

    With 1,000 renovations and new builds set to incorporate warmer colors, more seating and experiential changes, Starbucks may be on its way to physically restoring its coffeehouse-vibe.

    By • Sept. 5, 2025
  • A photograph of Freddy's off-premise-centric prototype in Belleville, Illinois
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    Courtesy of Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
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    Freddy’s acquired by Rhône

    The fast casual brand grew from 400 units to over 550 under Thompson Street Capital Partners and will continue its current momentum under new ownership.

    By • Updated Sept. 4, 2025
  • An image of while building with a brick facade and a logo that says "Noodles & Company."
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    JHVEPhoto via Getty Images
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    Noodles & Company to consider sale

    The chain, which is struggling with growing net losses, is also considering refinancing debt and refranchising as part of a strategic review.

    By • Sept. 4, 2025
  • A bunch of chicken fingers, fries, toast slices, lemonade and iced tea on a picnic blanket.
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    Courtesy of Raising Cane's
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    Raising Cane’s heads to the UK

    The chicken finger brand will develop company-operated units in London and plans to open urban stores and suburban drive-thrus.

    By • Sept. 4, 2025
  • Customers enter a McDonald's restaurant.
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    Mario Tama / Staff via Getty Images
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    How 3 quick-service restaurants are looking to CX to revive traffic

    Wendy’s is focusing on operations, McDonald’s on loyalty and Taco Bell on digital ordering. How can each approach keep customers coming back?

    By Bryan Wassel • Sept. 4, 2025
  • People sit in a coffee shop.
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    Adam Gray via Getty Images
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    Starbucks deploys AI for in-store inventory management

    Computer vision is helping the chain keep track of its in-store inventory and may be used to automate some stock ordering.

    By • Sept. 3, 2025
  • An image of a person wearing a blue shirt in front of a white background.
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    Courtesy of Jersey Mike's
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    Jersey Mike’s appoints Wingstop vet as president, COO

    Stacy Peterson will lead U.S. operations, marketing and technology as the company continues to open roughly 300 domestic units a year.

    By • Sept. 3, 2025
  • An image of a gray building with a logo that says "Smokey Bones Bar & Fire grill"
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    Retrieved from Smokey Bones on September 02, 2025
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    Twin Hospitality closes 15 Smokey Bones restaurants

    The company will also convert 19 Smokey Bones units into higher-performing Twin Peaks restaurants, leaving the barbecue brand with 26 units.

    By • Sept. 2, 2025
  • An image of a digital menu board that says "Extra Value Meals are back" on the other panel there is a photo of an egg sandwich and a $5.
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    Permission granted by McDonald's
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    McDonald’s latest value deals target combo meals

    The Extra Value Meals will decrease the price of eight meals by 15% compared to ordering items a la carte.

    By • Sept. 2, 2025
  • A photograph of a menu with Cracker Barrel branding
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Cracker Barrel: Another case of the blanding of branding

    Restaurants must engage core and growth audiences to understand what they value and which brand equities to protect, evolve or retire, writes Jon Shapiro, chief creative officer of brand experience at PV&COHO.

    By Jon Shapiro • Sept. 2, 2025
  • A bowl loaded with Chipotle's Carne Asada LTO.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle brings back Carne Asada to cure sliding sales

    The return of the highly anticipated protein could help the fast casual giant kick a sales slump that has so far proved resistant to LTOs.

    By • Sept. 2, 2025
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    Permission granted by MarginEdge / Sarah Gerrity
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    Sponsored by MarginEdge

    Hack your way to easier restaurant inventories

    Maximize profits with these easy inventory hacks, saving you time, money and your sanity!

    Sept. 2, 2025