Catering grew 50% faster than entire restaurant industry in 2018

As off-premise business grows, restaurants are honing in on business customers for repeat transactions and higher check size, according to a report from Technomic and ezCater. 

By Julie Littman • May 1, 2019

Business catering averages $275 per check, says ezCater

Top industries ordering catering include healthcare, IT/technology and finance, but each of these segments have unique off-premise demands.

By Julie Littman • May 1, 2019

Wegmans partners with DoorDash for meal delivery

After piloting Wegmans Meals 2GO in New York, the premium grocer plans to offer delivery through the third-party platform in 40 cities by year's end. 

By Jessica Dumont • April 30, 2019

Food trucks are the new restaurant billboards

Auntie Anne's, Shake Shack and others are going mobile to grow off-premise business while reaping the benefits of a new marketing avenue.

By Julie Littman • April 29, 2019

McDonald's Germany adds 1st vegan burger

While the fast food chain has been rolling out vegan options in international markets, it has yet to do so in the U.S., despite plant-based initiatives by rivals Burger King, Carl's Jr. and White Castle.

By Lauren Manning • April 26, 2019

Sweetgreen reverses cashless-only approach

Following a wave of bans against cashless stores, the salad chain will start accepting cash in Philadelphia in July and chainwide by the end of the year.

By Alicia Kelso • April 26, 2019

Panera appoints Krispy Kreme exec as CEO

Niren Chaudhary, who also worked for 20 years at Yum Brands, will replace Blaine Hurst in May and help the company's next stage of growth in the U.S. and abroad. 

By Julie Littman • April 26, 2019

KFC drops sexy Mother's Day video

Dessert biscuits from Cinnabon and a video starring a Colonel Sanders-inspired Chippendales dancer ripping off his shirt are part of the push for one of the chain's busiest days of the year.

By Dianna Christe • April 26, 2019

Q2 delivery report: Brands extend off-premise initiatives

Delivery is gaining momentum at Red Robin, Cracker Barrel and more as more awareness drives sales.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Julie Littman • Updated June 4, 2019

Whole Foods adds new in-store eateries in Florida and California

American rotisserie Bird in the Hand and Nekter Juice Bar will help the grocer offer unique dining experiences for shoppers as part of its Friends of Whole Foods program. 

By Jennifer Sweeney • April 26, 2019

McDonald's, AARP partner on jobs for older workers

The partnership comes as the restaurant and its franchisees gear up to hire 250,000 workers for the summer.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Valerie Bolden-Barrett • April 25, 2019

Report: McDonald's may end exclusivity with Uber Eats

A memo obtained by Bloomberg revealed the fast food chain is also negotiating lower delivery fees, which would address previous franchisee grievances. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 25, 2019

Chipotle doubles digital sales in Q1

The fast casual chain's sales comps for the period were up nearly 10% thanks to rapid growth from its new loyalty program and ongoing promotions and marketing initiatives. 

By Julie Littman • April 25, 2019

Domino's leaning on fortressing to improve delivery, not third-party aggregators

CEO Ritch Allison admitted in an earnings call that third-party delivery growth has hurt the chain's same-store sales, but believes the threat will soon dissipate since these partnerships eat into restaurant profits. 

By Julie Littman • April 24, 2019

Papa John's opens 2,000th overseas store as competition intensifies

The chain is growing international units in the double-digits as it struggles domestically, but Pizza Hut and Domino's also are eyeing global markets.

By Alicia Kelso • April 24, 2019

Postmates adds 1K cities, reaches into 50 states

With the delivery company now nationwide, it will be better positioned to compete with the likes of DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats. 

By Julie Littman • April 24, 2019

How McDonald's super sizes its data for an optimized supply chain

The restaurant giant will use artificial intelligence to change its drive-thru menus, enabling new capabilities behind the scenes in demand planning.

By Craig Guillot • April 23, 2019

'Welcome to Walmart. May I take your order?'

With popular local and fast casual chains siphoning off mealtime dollars, some grocers have brought the likes of Wahlburgers and Rapid Fired Pizza into stores.

By Lauren Manning • April 23, 2019

McDonald's reportedly adding international favorites to US menus

A leaked memo obtained by Business Insider revealed the chain's next menu items will include the McExtreme Bacon Burger from Spain and the Stroopwafel McFlurry from the Netherlands.

By Julie Littman • April 23, 2019

Shift Change: McDonald's hires franchise exec; Chick-fil-A adds new board members

This week's Shift Change highlights executive changes at McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Dutch Bros Coffee, El Pollo Loco, CKE Restaurants and Black Bear Diner. 

By Julie Littman • April 18, 2019

Having to share personal data turns consumers away from loyalty programs, study says

Conversely, 76% of surveyed Americans said they would be more likely to join a program that required just their name and phone number.

By Laura Klepacki and Emma Liem • April 18, 2019

Bite Squad expands breakfast delivery service

Third-party aggregators and restaurants are adding more delivery options to capture additional revenue from the growing morning daypart. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 18, 2019

McDonald's cutting premium burgers from menu

Following its reduction to its late-night menu, the fast food chain is cutting its Signature Crafted Recipes from its menu, a strategy that falls in line with its desire to shorten drive-thru times. 

By Julie Littman • April 17, 2019

Godiva to open 2,000 cafes in next 6 years

The chocolatier is entering a segment crowded by Starbucks, Dunkin' and Panera, but hopes to glean 40% of its sales from these cafes by 2025. 

By Julie Littman • April 17, 2019

McDonald's bets personalization will keep diners lovin' it

The fast food giant's $300 million acquisition of Dynamic Yield reflects growing diner demand for engaging, digitally tailored brand interactions, says Wi5 CEO Prask Sutton. 

By Prask Sutton • April 16, 2019