Operations

  • An image of a cooking apparatus in Gen Korean BBQ
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    Retrieved from U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission on June 01, 2023
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    Gen Korean BBQ parent issues IPO

    Gen Restaurant Group plans to raise $25 million, and its barbecue restaurant chain believes it can to grow from 32 to 250 units in the U.S. 

    By • June 2, 2023
  • An image of a a white building with Chipotle signage at night.
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    Permission granted by Chipotle
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    Chipotle hires Wendy’s exec as chief development officer

    Stephen Piacentini, who has about two decades of restaurant experience, will help Chipotle reach its 7,000 unit goal. 

    By • June 1, 2023
  • A photograph of chefs in a kitchen. Explore the Trendline➔
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    sam edwards via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Restaurant Dive Outlook for 2023

    Restaurants across categories are hungry for growth this year, with many embracing franchising. However, confidence in the ghost kitchen model is waning.

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • A photograph of chefs in a kitchen.
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    sam edwards via Getty Images
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    4 restaurant industry predictions from the NRA Show

    Ghost kitchens, immigration policy, managerial automation and catering could help shape the future of the industry, experts said at the National Restaurant Association Show.

    By • May 31, 2023
  • Papa Johns Cool Ranch Papadia sandwiches in various packaging and contexts.
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Papadia LTO has boosted same-store sales, report Papa Johns franchisees

    The Doritos Cool Ranch Papadia, which launched in May, led to a sales mix of about 10% during the first three weeks of the launch, a BTIG report shows. 

    By • May 30, 2023
  • BurgerFi CEO Carl Bachmann
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    Courtesy of BurgerFi
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    BurgerFi hires Smashburger president as CEO

    Carl Bachmann will join the public company on July 10 in the midst of several initiatives to improve sales and operations. 

    By • May 30, 2023
  • A photo of the exterior of a Fas Mart.
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    Permission granted by Arko Corp.
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    Arko adding Italian restaurant chain to 3 stores as it zeroes in on foodservice

    The c-store operator is adding Villa Italian Kitchen restaurants to locations in Virginia, Indiana and Arizona, with the first one opening today.

    By Jessica Loder • May 30, 2023
  • Two business owners standing in front of their restaurant named Gadzooks on a sunny day.
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    How this growing QSR uses tech to handle restaurant craziness

    Learn how a restaurant chain owner uses Square technology to keep his orders flowing.

    May 30, 2023
  • An image of the exterior of a Honey Baked Ham.
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    Permission granted by Honey Baked Ham
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    Honey Baked Ham plans to double its revenue in 6 years

    The company, which hasn’t aggressively franchised in the past, signed the largest development deal in its history as it works to open 60 units in six years.

    By • May 26, 2023
  • A photograph of Chili's chicken crisper combo.
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    Permission granted by Chili's
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    Chili’s serves up new Chicken Crispers, margaritas in menu update

    The casual dining restaurant’s latest menu update is part of a strategy to improve core items of Chicken Crispers, burgers, fajitas and margaritas. 

    By • May 25, 2023
  • Atosa Catering Equipment's prototype fry machine at the National Restaurant Association show on May 22, 2023.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    Cooking up automation: 4 labor-saving tech solutions at the NRA Show

    From a hand scanner that detects contaminates to a robot arm that can fry, salt and package food, technology is transforming the back of house.

    By • May 23, 2023
  • A rendering of a Biscuitville drive-thru-only unit.
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    Permission granted by Biscuitville
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    Biscuitville to open first drive-thru-only unit in North Carolina

    The restaurant, which will open on May 30, will offer a walk-up window and a single-lane drive-thru. 

    By • May 23, 2023
  • Panera Bread storefront
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    Permission granted by Panera Bread
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    Panera Brands shuffles execs as it prepares to go public

    The company appointed Niren Chaudhary, current Panera Brands CEO, as chairman of the board and José Alberto Dueñas, current CEO at Einstein Bros. Bagels, as Panera Brands’ chief executive. 

    By • May 23, 2023
  • An image of Bonchon CEO Bryan Shin
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    Permission granted by Bonchon
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    Bonchon US appoints CEO

    Bryan Shin, who previously served as the chain’s global CFO for over four years, will oversee initiatives related to menu innovation, store development and improving guest touch points. 

    By • May 23, 2023
  • An image of Adam Oldenburg, CEO of Toppers Pizza
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    Permission granted by Toppers Pizza
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    Toppers founder and CEO resigns

    Scott Gittrich, who has led the brand for over 30 years, will become chairman of the board, and VP of operations Adam Oldenburg will take over as CEO. 

    By • May 22, 2023
  • An image of a customer entering a Cava restaurant.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    4 takeaways from Cava’s IPO filing

    The restaurant has been operating at a loss for several years, but has an aggressive growth plan to reach 1,000 units by 2032.

    By • May 22, 2023
  • A cook prepares food on a preparation line while a mobile device is attached at the top of the line.
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    The top restaurant trends in 2023

    As consumer dining preferences and economic conditions continue to evolve, it’s important to understand restaurant trends and strategies that work.

    May 22, 2023
  • Noodles & Company CFO Carl Lukach
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    Courtesy of Noodles & Company
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    Noodles & Company CFO departs

    After over two years at the fast casual chain, CFO Carl Lukach will resign June 9 to take a similar position at a retail company.

    By • May 19, 2023
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    "The image" by Mike Mozart is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Texas Roadhouse appoints Southwest Airlines vet as CFO

    Chris Monroe will lead Texas Roadhouse’s financial operations after a 30-year career at Southwest Airlines.

    By • May 18, 2023
  • A photograph of Shipley Do-Nuts
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    Permission granted by Shipley Do-Nuts
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    Shipley Do-Nuts hires Bonchon CEO as top exec

    Flynn Dekker, who has over 30 years of retail and restaurant experience, will oversee the chain’s rapid growth, including a pipeline of 200-plus units.

    By • May 17, 2023
  • A rendering of a Wendy's restaurant with Pipedream's underground delivery system
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    Courtesy of Wendy's
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    Wendy’s tests underground robots for mobile order pickup

    The QSR chain said it is the first to partner with hyperlogistics company Pipedream to create the system, which uses robot couriers to deliver orders from the kitchen to designated parking spots. 

    By • Updated May 18, 2023
  • A photo of a Wetzel's Pretzels inside a convenience store
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    Permission granted by Wetzel's Pretzels
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    Wetzel’s Pretzels CEO steps down, COO will lead chain

    Vincent Montanelli takes the helm of the company several months after it was acquired by MTY Food Group.

    By • May 17, 2023
  • A photograph of Nathan Louer, chief brand officer at Jamba.
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    Permission granted by Focus Brands
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    Focus Brands hires Jimmy John’s vet as Jamba chief brand officer

    Nathan Louer, who has held marketing positions at the chain for nearly 17 years, brings knowledge of brand strategy, digital, marketing, product development and operations to his new position. 

    By • May 17, 2023
  • wawa
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    Permission granted by ezCater
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    Wawa expanding its corporate catering business

    The foodservice-focused retailer now offers breakfast, coffee and lunch items to business clients across its 1,000-store footprint via the ezCater marketplace.

    By Brett Dworski • May 16, 2023
  • An image of Topgolf's CEO
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    Courtesy of Dine Brands
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    Dine Brands appoints Topgolf CEO to board of directors

    The addition of Arthur Starrs to Dine Brands’ board of directors follows other executive changes this year, including a new Applebee’s U.S. president. 

    By • May 16, 2023
  • An image of Square's Franchise Platform, which rolled out May 2023.
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Square adds franchise platform

    Square for Franchise, which was created following the company’s acquisition of GoParrot, lets franchisors monitor multiple units on one dashboard. 

    By • May 16, 2023