Operations: Page 2

  • An image of a white and red restaurant with Krystal on the signage
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    Permission granted by Krystal
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    SPB Hospitality appoints GJ Hart as CEO

    Hart, former Red Robin CEO, succeeds Josh Kern and will oversee a slimmer multi-brand platform that recently offloaded non-core brands.

    By , • Updated Sept. 29, 2025
  • A person in a suit stands on stage surrounded by a large crowd in the stands.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Deep Dive

    Why picking the right CEO makes or breaks a restaurant turnaround

    From Starbucks’ Brian Niccol to BJ’s Lyle Tick and Potbelly’s Bob Wright, boards have made headway with executives that implemented strategic improvements to help sales and traffic.

    By • Updated Sept. 29, 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 people sitting at a bar watching a UFC fight on TVs behind the bar. A sign near the left side of the picture says "Rutter's. Made for you."
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    Permission granted by Rutter's
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    Rutter’s new c-store design is also a sports bar. Here’s a look inside.

    The 1747 store, named for the year Rutter's was founded, aims for a sports bar feel to encourage customers to see it as more than a pit stop.

    By Christine Blank • Updated Sept. 30, 2025
  • Patrons at a Chicago Starbucks after the coffee chain on Feb. 25, 2025.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Starbucks to close roughly 400 stores, lay off 900 corporate workers

    The closures, which will largely take place over the next few days, follow a strategic review of the company’s North American store base as part of its larger turnaround plan.

    By • Updated Sept. 26, 2025
  • A photo of various cocktails, sushi and entrees from P.F. Chang's
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    Courtesy of P.F. Chang's
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    P.F. Chang’s pushes value with new cocktail menu

    The full-service Asian chain will also offer half appetizers and smaller entrees in a value move similar to those made by Olive Garden, IHOP and Chili’s.

    By • Sept. 24, 2025
  • A rendering of a Subway restaurant with tables and green walls.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway franchisees fight remodel push

    The North American Association of Subway Franchisees is backing an arbitration case brought by a franchisee and claims that mandated remodels create significant financial burdens.

    By • Sept. 24, 2025
  • A photo of the exterior of a gas station and convenience store/ A sign on the fuel canopy says Cumberland Farms.
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    Courtesy of Quorso
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    EG America bringing Krispy Krunchy Chicken to Cumberland Farms

    The fried chicken QSR will debut at five Cumberland Farms c-stores in the Florida panhandle, with the first opening this week.

    By Brett Dworski • Sept. 24, 2025
  • Women in a public bathroom freshening up
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    Tork

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    Sponsored by Tork

    The business cost of overlooked restrooms – and how to get it right

    Restroom hygiene can make or break guest loyalty – discover what US restaurants need to know.

    Sept. 23, 2025
  • An exterior shot of a Red Lobster restaurant from downhill, in the foreground, lush shrubbery separates the restaurant from the camera.
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    Courtesy of Red Lobster
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    Red Lobster deploys AI bots to answer phones

    SoundHound’s voice automation technology is expected to free up workers and improve front-of-house service.

    By • Sept. 23, 2025
  • An image of a brick building with red Chick-fil-A signage
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Chick-fil-A to open beverage concept

    Daybright, operating under subsidiary Red Wagon Ventures, will open its first location in Greater Atlanta this fall and serve coffee, smoothies and juices.

    By • Sept. 23, 2025
  • An evening shot of a building with white and red coloring and signage that says "Portillo's."
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s replaces CEO

    Michael Osanloo resigned on Monday, and Chairman of the Board Michael Miles became interim CEO. The board is searching for a replacement. 

    By • Sept. 23, 2025
  • Taco Bell's $5, $7 and $9 luxe boxes. Each combo meal contains several items, a side and a drink.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell promotes execs focused on branding, technology

    As the chain works to triple its international store count in five years, these new executive promotions can help replicate the brand’s U.S. success abroad.

    By • Sept. 22, 2025
  • An image of several food items on a table from First Watch's LTO menu with two people partially in view in the background
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    Permission granted by First Watch
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    Morning meal traffic grows as food spending stays high

    Protein-heavy items, the breakfast daypart and dishes without artificial colors are the big winners from H1 2025, according to a Circana report.

    By • Sept. 22, 2025
  • Server serving guests at a restaurant.
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    Permission granted by Toast
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    Sponsored by Toast

    The integrated advantage: how a unified payment system scales with hospitality growth

    Discover why a unified payment system is the single most valuable asset for today’s top hospitality leaders.

    Sept. 22, 2025
  • A close up image of yellow orange menus in a holder.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Sardar Biglari wants Cracker Barrel CEO out

    The longtime shareholder and activist investor said highly publicized missteps over the company’s rebrand betrayed Cracker Barrel’s heritage and turned loyal fans against it.

    By • Sept. 19, 2025
  • fast stop
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    Retrieved from Fast Stop.
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    Fast Stop CEO acquires 9 locations for new QSR concept

    The restaurants will feature the c-store chain’s Cajun-inspired fast food menu, which includes fried chicken, seafood, po boys and southern sides.

    By Brett Dworski • Sept. 19, 2025
  • A night image of people sitting at tables at a patio in a restaurant
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    Getty Images
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    How restaurants can prepare for the holiday rush

    Operators can take advantage of increased catering demand and large holiday party orders if they can craft festive meals and experiences despite high food costs and labor challenges.

    By Danielle McLean • Sept. 18, 2025
  • A photograph of a menu with Cracker Barrel branding
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Cracker Barrel forecasts 8% traffic drop from logo backlash

    The chain saw 5.4% same-store sales growth in the quarter, but its recent logo controversy derailed ongoing performance improvements.

    By • Sept. 18, 2025
  • An iamge of a stoneworked building with a white logo that says Olive Garden. A woman wearing a white shirt and red bandana is at the door about to enter the restaurant.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Olive Garden’s affordability focus drives same-store sales boost

    During fiscal Q1, the chain saw a boost in sales and traffic from customers across all income levels.

    By • Sept. 18, 2025
  • A car at a window picking up an order from a restaurant
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    Permission granted by Salad and Go
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    Salad and Go to close 41 restaurants

    The drive-thru salad chain, which doubled its store count in two years, will focus on more disciplined growth under new CEO Mike Tattersfield.

    By • Sept. 17, 2025
  • An image of a small restaurant with people gathered around. Thereis 7 Brew signage.
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    Permission granted by 7 Brew
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    Major 7 Brew franchisee bought by Franchise Equity Partners

    7 Crew, a 50-store operator with plans to open another 200 locations, will grow primarily in Texas, Florida, Oklahoma and New Mexico with FEP’s backing.

    By • Sept. 17, 2025
  • A photograph of a yellow sign with Denny's in red.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Denny’s targeted by activist investor

    JCP Investment Management previously targeted Red Robin and The Cheesecake Factory and wants to boost shareholder value at the chain, which suffers from declining same-store sales.

    By • Sept. 16, 2025
  • A Chuck E. Cheese sign.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Chuck E. Cheese heads to the UK

    The eatertainment chain joins the likes of Raising Cane’s, Dave’s Hot Chicken and Chick-fil-A by expanding into Europe amid strong consumer demand for U.S. restaurant chains. 

    By • Sept. 15, 2025
  • An image of Quarter Pounder, fries and a drink from McDonald's
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s launches $200M grassland conservation initiative

    The sustainability project doubles as a long-term investment in U.S. beef supply chains, as tariffs on major beef producers loom.

    By • Sept. 15, 2025
  • Happy cook preparing food while working in the kitchen in restaurant.
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    shutterstock.com/Drazen Zigic

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    Sponsored by Prime Shrimp

    The Modern Mise En Place: Why smart restaurants are embracing streamlined food solutions

    Smart restaurants are using curated, pre-prepped foods to boost consistency, profit, and quality.

    Sept. 15, 2025