Red Robin terminates COO without cause

Guy Constant exits the chain after serving for over a year and amid continued investor pressure to improve operations and shareholder value. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 8, 2020

48% of restaurants struggling with rising labor costs, study finds

Restaurants are increasingly turning to technology to alleviate labor woes, but adoption remains low, research from Zenput and Technomic shows.

By Lauren Manning • Jan. 7, 2020

Burger King launches Impossible sausage breakfast sandwich

The Impossible Croissan'wich will be available at participating restaurants in five regions and is part of Burger King's plant-based menu expansion plans.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 7, 2020

Yum Brands acquires Habit Burger for $375M

The deal, which is expected to close by the end of Q2 2020, is Yum's first restaurant acquisition since it went public more than 20 years ago.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 6, 2020

Little Caesars partners with DoorDash for delivery

Diners can place delivery orders through the pizza chain's app and website, and DoorDash will provide last-mile delivery for "at least $5 less" than top competitors, Little Caesars claims.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 6, 2020

Waitr names new CEO

Waitr has tapped Carl Grimstad as CEO and member of the board effective immediately. This is the delivery firm's third CEO hire in less than two years. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 3, 2020

Chick-fil-A cuts 6 items in streamlined menu test

Locations in Arizona and Charlotte will cut Original Chick-n-Strips, Grilled Cool Wraps and more from their offerings to make way for new items, such as a spicy menu that will also be tested in Charlotte, North Carolina.  

By Lauren Manning • Jan. 3, 2020

Applebee's enters the fast casual game

The casual dining chain opened its first Applebee’s Express in Alabama last month, joining IHOP, The Cheesecake Factory and Famous Dave's in testing to-go friendly concepts. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 3, 2020

Tim Hortons president stepping down

Alex Macedo, who has been president of Tim Hortons since December 2017, will leave his role in March.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 27, 2019

Survey: Restaurants need to add mobile ads, payments and apps to the menu

A robust mobile marketing strategy is crucial for restaurants to connect with customers and drive sales, AdTheorent finds.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 23, 2019

62% of Americans prefer dine-in to takeout, delivery

Though demand for dynamic eating experiences is growing, diners are most swayed by food quality and consistency when selecting a restaurant, Vixxo research finds.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 23, 2019

Chipotle accused of firing NYC employee who tried to unionize

The general counsel of the National Labor Relations board filed the complaint on Dec. 12, which also claims that the fast food chain promised promotions to employees who provided information about union organizing. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 20, 2019

Starbucks to pay NYC employees $176K over sick leave violations

The coffee chain also agreed to provide informational posters about its sick leave policy inside all city stores, provide plain language information on its policy and follow up with the city in six months.  

By Julie Littman • Dec. 20, 2019

Chipotle tests pickup windows as part of digital push

The new design will be tested in six restaurants with various formats and include premium placement of built-in pickup areas.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 19, 2019

Coffee giants Jacobs Douwe Egberts, Peet's plan to merge and go public

As the coffee space grows at a rapid clip, the market has room for increased competition and JDE Peet's would be well positioned to take significant share.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 18, 2019

McDonald's to roll out mobile app payment technology starting in UK

The chain's partnership with Dutch tech company Adyen NV to process mobile app payments furthers the company's focus on technology worldwide. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 18, 2019

Bojangles' to open 40 locations in Love's Travel Stops

The fast food chain, which decreased unit count in recent years, will expand into Illinois, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Mississippi as part of the development deal. 

By Lauren Manning • Dec. 18, 2019

Shake Shack tests takeout, delivery-focused restaurant in NYC

The 2,600-square-foot store, which is expected to open Dec. 26, is part of the fast casual burger chain's strategy to grow to 450 units in the U.S. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 18, 2019

Lunch Break: Fogo de Chao's CEO on balancing tech and the fine dining experience

Disruption in the restaurant industry has spurred experimentation at the Brazilian steakhouse, from catered delivery to plant-based meats, says Barry McGowan.

By Thai Phi Le • Dec. 17, 2019

Popeyes seeks Sunday sandwich makers in latest jab at Chick-fil-A

The chicken chain is running help wanted ads in major newspapers to emphasize the popularity of its sandwich and that it is open on Sundays, unlike its competitor.

By Dianna Christie • Dec. 17, 2019

Restaurant transactions down 7% during Thanksgiving

Both casual dining and QSRs logged higher declines of 8%, according to the NPD Group, but hope still remains for a strong holiday season given positive overall economic indicators.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 16, 2019

7 of the most dramatic restaurant redesigns of 2019

The growth in digital, off-premise business is a key reason Krispy Kreme, Firehouse Subs, Jamba and Potbelly are transforming their stores. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 16, 2019

Shift Change: Jack in the Box CEO to depart; McDonald's names international president

This week's Shift Change also highlights executive news from Black Bear Diner, Potbelly, Dunkin' Brands, Garden Fresh Restaurants, Nathan's Famous, Noodles & Company and Pizza Hut. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 13, 2019

WeWork shutters restaurant coworking startup Spacious

Spacious, which turns high-end restaurants into coworking spaces during off-peak times, will close at the end of the year, making it the latest casualty in WeWork’s failed IPO.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 13, 2019

Supply challenges could delay McDonald's chicken sandwich launch, analysts predict

Research firm Stephens reports there are not enough five-pound chicken products, the same size that Chick-fil-A and Popeyes use for their sandwiches, to supply the fast food giant's U.S. system.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 12, 2019