Shift Change: Domino's adds HR exec; Mendocino Farms appoints CEO

This week's Shift Change also highlights new leadership at Punch Bowl Social, Black Bear Diner and more. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 2, 2019

Chipotle smashes TikTok records with #GuacDance challenge

In TikTok's top branded challenge in the U.S. to date, the burrito chain saw 250,000 video submissions for its National Avocado Day dance-off.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 2, 2019

Times Square McDonald's takes infill building to the extreme

Constructing the $10 million, eight-month-long project on such a heavily trafficked site meant overcoming myriad challenges and safety issues, said Schimenti's Gregg Chappell.

By Jennifer Goodman • Aug. 1, 2019

Pizza Hut could temporarily close up to 500 stores over next 2 years

Underperforming units will be transformed into express stores focused on carryout and delivery with existing or new franchisee partners.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 1, 2019

Navigating customer ratings and employment discrimination in restaurants

Businesses that rely on diner feedback to make personnel decisions need to ensure those reviews are not tainted by prejudice, says labor and employment litigator Kyle Winnick. 

By Kyle Winnick • July 31, 2019

Taco Bell Spain debuts vegan meat substitute

The chain has opted for a more robust vegetarian menu in the U.S. as the list of QSRs going plant-based grows.

By Lauren Manning • July 31, 2019

Chipotle rolls out AI for phone orders

The chain has tested artificial intelligence-generated voice assistants for mobile orders since 2018, and plans to expand the system to all 2,500 stores by the end of the year.

By Alicia Kelso • July 31, 2019

31% of restaurants offer health insurance to workers, survey finds

While climbing turnover rates are pressuring chains to beef up their employee benefits, only 14% of restaurant owners surveyed in Toast's 2019 Restaurant Success Report offer paid family leave. 

By Rosie Bradbury • July 31, 2019

Sweetgreen's new store layout eliminates assembly line

The new store, which will open in New York City this fall, also swaps out chalkboard menus for digital displays and lets customers order from kiosks or staff with iPads.

By Lauren Manning • July 30, 2019

EEOC sues McDonald's franchisee for rejecting applicant over religious beard

The hiring manager told the applicant he would have to shave it to comply with the grooming policy and denied his request to wear a beard net.

By Lisa Burden • July 29, 2019

Panera takes off into airport segment with new partnership

The fast casual chain signed a multi-year, multi-unit development agreement with operator HMSHost to expand the brand in U.S. airports and travel plazas starting in 2020. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 26, 2019

McDonald's revs up personalization rollout to 8K drive-thrus

Within two weeks, the chain expects Dynamic Yield software will be available at over half of its U.S. units and fully implemented by the end of the year. 

By Julie Littman • July 26, 2019

Q3 delivery report: Chains expand footprint with new partnerships

Cracker Barrel, Olive Garden and more have deployed different strategies to improve the overall guest experience and reach more customers.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Julie Littman , Rosie Bradbury • Updated Sept. 20, 2019

Chipotle unwraps #GuacDance challenge on TikTok for Avocado Day

The guacamole-themed dance-off is its second challenge on the social app after a lid-flipping effort in May.

By Robert Williams • July 26, 2019

Tim Hortons fries up plant-based eggs for breakfast

The Canadian QSR is the first major fast food restaurant to use Just Egg and follows up on its addition of Beyond Sausage to its menu. 

By Lauren Manning • July 26, 2019

Shift Change: Dunkin' Brands hires HR exec; Quiznos parent appoints CFO

This week's Shift Change highlights new leadership at REGO Restaurant Group, Dunkin' Brands, McDonald's, Moe's Southwest Grill and more. 

By Julie Littman • July 26, 2019

Yum Brands taps new CEOs for Taco Bell, Pizza Hut

With Taco Bell CEO Mark King and Pizza Hut CEO Artie Starrs, the two QSR brands appear to be eyeing continued rapid international growth. 

By Julie Littman • July 26, 2019

Starbucks' digital strategy is working. Now it wants to dive deeper

With $6.8 billion in revenue during the last quarter and its stock price at an all-time high, the coffee chain is already banking on its tech initiatives.

By Roberto Torres • July 26, 2019

Jollibee pays $350M for Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Jollibee is a step closer to reaching its goal of becoming one of the five largest restaurant brands in the world, but not all of its investors are happy about the acquisition.

By Alicia Kelso • July 25, 2019

Dunkin' will roll out Beyond Meat breakfast sandwich nationwide

The chain will offer the plant-based product across U.S. stores beginning Nov. 8, and diners can sample the menu item for free for a limited time. 

By Lauren Manning • Updated Oct. 21, 2019

Popeyes plants its flag in KFC territory: China

Popeyes signed an agreement to develop over 1,500 units in China during the next 10 years, which could start chipping away at KFC's longtime dominance in the region. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 24, 2019

DoorDash delivery workers to soon receive entirety of customer tips

Under the company's new model, couriers will earn tips independent of base or bonus pay, CEO Tony Xu announced yesterday. 

By Julie Littman , Rosie Bradbury • Updated Aug. 23, 2019

Pizza Hut pilots self-service pickup cubbies

The pizza segment's tech capabilities escalate as Pizza Hut streamlines operations with a feature that syncs with its app, website and phone orders.

By Lauren Manning • July 24, 2019

OpenTable moves into delivery with new app feature

The reservation platform partnered with Uber Eats, Caviar and Grubhub to offer the service to over 8,000 restaurants in 90 metro areas in the U.S. 

By Julie Littman • July 24, 2019

Cracker Barrel buys $140M stake in Punch Bowl Social

In a move that lets it better diversify, the casual dining chain has taken a non-controlling position in the eatertainment brand, which grew 34% last year. 

By Julie Littman • July 23, 2019