A restaurant's next big financial risk isn't bad reviews — it's data breaches

As hackers find new ways to gather coveted personal information, restaurants are quickly becoming a target for the internet underworld.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 18, 2018

How restaurants are using benefits to win in a tight labor market

The industry is experiencing the fastest quitting rate among U.S. workers in 17 years, driving companies like McDonald's and Starbucks to roll out non-traditional perks to retain talent. 

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 17, 2018

Explore the 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

The power of sustainable sourcing

While McDonald’s move to rid its beef supply chain of non-medically necessary antibiotics may seem like an edict thrown at the procurement staff within the massive company, it’s more a boon than a burden.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 17, 2018

Report: North American pizza market to grow 10% in next 5 years

Despite some stumbles from the largest pizza chains, the industry remains strong and is worth over $45 billion in the U.S. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 17, 2018

Applebee's buys 69 units from Apple Gold

Applebee's will no longer be fully franchised with its ownership of these restaurants. 

By Kristine Sherred • Dec. 17, 2018

Chipotle rounds out leadership team with 2 new execs

Roger Theodoredis and Tabassum Zalotrawala will take on the roles of chief legal officer and chief development officer, respectively, as the fast casual chain continues its push past high-profile stumbles to become a lifestyle brand. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 14, 2018

Dave & Buster's tests fast casual taco concept

The eatertainment company is offering a taqueria at its Dallas flagship to meet consumer demand for faster eating options.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 13, 2018

How your restaurant can prepare for a crisis

Uproar PR CEO Catriona Harris warns that if brands don't take control of the narrative when things go wrong, the narrative will control them.

By Catriona Harris • Dec. 12, 2018

40% of McDonald's owners could lose leases, association says

Company franchisees learned about potential financial risks tied to store remodels at an October National Owners Association meeting, escalating tensions with corporate.

By Kristine Sherred • Dec. 12, 2018

McDonald's to phase out antibiotics in beef

The burger chain plans to reduce usage of antibiotics across 85% of its supply chain as similar commitments catch fire throughout the fast food segment. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 12, 2018

Restaurant gift card sales expected to rise during holidays

Since diners typically spend $59 more than the value of their gift card, these offerings can boost sales and traffic during slow winter months.  

By Julie Littman • Dec. 10, 2018

Burger King's app hit 1M downloads after trolling McDonald's

The "Whopper Detour" geolocation stunt propelled the app to the top of the App Store this week.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 7, 2018

Flynn Restaurant Group becomes largest franchisee with Arby's buy

With the acquisition of U.S. Beef Corp., Flynn becomes a $2.3 billion company with more than 1,200 restaurants in its portfolio, from Taco Bell to Applebee's. 

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 6, 2018

From free cheesecake to dollar drinks, casual dining shifts focus to millennials

The Cheesecake Factory gave away 40,000 free slices of cheesecake through DoorDash Wednesday, but it remains to be seen if the promotion will drive growth for the casual chain. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 6, 2018

Shake Shack owner nixes fast casual model at NYC pizzeria

After 15 months as an upscale fast casual restaurant, Union Square Hospitality Group's Martina will switch to a more traditional table-service model.

By Kristine Sherred • Dec. 5, 2018

Strong Thanksgiving dining spend signals growth through New Year's

Spending was up 4.1% Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, with quick-service restaurants posting strong market share fueled by mobile offerings. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 4, 2018

Beyond value menus, fast food prices inching closer to fast casual

What once was a 30% price difference between chains like Shake Shack and McDonald's has plunged to 8%, as fast food contends with higher wages and food costs amid sluggish traffic.

By Kristine Sherred • Dec. 4, 2018

Wind to power more than 1,000 Starbucks stores

The coffee giant has invested $325 million in a wind farm as part of its goal to operate all of its locations with renewable energy.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 3, 2018

Asian grocerant Be-Se-To coming to Maryland next year

The two-story retailer/restaurant hybrid includes a Korean restaurant, a Korean-style Japanese restaurant, a Korean-style Chinese restaurant, and a Korean dessert shop.

By Krishna Thakker • Dec. 3, 2018

Tock snags $9.5M in funding, further upending reservation game

With nearly 1,000 restaurant clients in two dozen countries, Chicago-based Tock now has more funding than Resy, which acquired Reserve last month.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 30, 2018

Dunkin' hit by online data breach

Hackers used information from other company data breaches to gain access to DD Perks accounts, as well as customer names, emails and passwords.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 30, 2018

McDonald's extends renovations deadline to 2022

As tensions with franchisees rise, the chain will let operators delay remodeling — which includes self-order kiosks and extra drive-thru lanes — but at a cost.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 29, 2018

Cracker Barrel navigates guest satisfaction issues as off-premise business grows

During its latest earnings report, the company noted sales and check increases buoyed in part by off-premise growth, but traffic continued to decline. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 29, 2018

Baskin-Robbins scoops up redesign to sweeten customer engagement

The ice cream chain's new concept store in California includes a frozen treat menu, more comfortable seating and unique location-specific artwork.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 29, 2018

Auntie Anne's hits the pavement with food trucks

The pretzel chain has built a fleet of two dozen trucks since 2013 and even more street-side carts and standalone shops in a quest to find customers where they are.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 28, 2018