Restaurants adding surcharges to cover healthcare costs

Despite the added price, diners have been willing to pay additional fees that go toward employees' healthcare costs, paid time off and other benefits. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 16, 2019

Starbucks launches $1.3M 'Cup Fund' for UK recycling programs

Launched in partnership with environmental charity Hubbub, the fund will offer individual grants of up to $131,000 to support paper cup recycling initiatives in at least 10 U.K. locations.

By Rina Li • April 15, 2019

Shift Change: Kona Grill appoints interim CEO; Subway gets a new CIO

This week's Shift Change highlights executive changes at Subway, Kona Grill and Farmer Boys. 

By Julie Littman • April 12, 2019

Rethinking the brand experience beyond space and size

Without designing for experience, an overemphasis on size will leave customers hungry for more, says innovation agency T3's president Ben Gaddis.

By Ben Gaddis • April 12, 2019

Uber Eats preps to expand into grocery, cloud kitchens in light of IPO

With Uber going public, its food delivery service is primed for growth so long as competition doesn't continue to eat into its market share. 

By Julie Littman • April 12, 2019

KFC parodies influencers with CGI hipster Colonel Sanders

The chain handed its Instagram account over to the "Virtual Influencer Colonel" and partnered with Dr. Pepper, TurboTax and Old Spice for the campaign.

By Robert Williams • April 11, 2019

It's not just McDonald's — restaurant CIOs are hungry for tech

"It's hard to look cool if you've got a pager that was from the 1980s still in use," said the founder of Aaron Allen & Associates. 

By Samantha Schwartz • April 11, 2019

Uber Eats boosts delivery tracker transparency with colorful animations

The redesigned platform includes a five-step tracking bar and a "latest arrival time by" update in addition to the typical order ETA.

By Kevin Whiteley • April 11, 2019

Navigating workforce shortages in the restaurant industry

By better managing variable costs, investing in labor-saving technology like digital kiosks and cross training employees, chains can improve retention, says Paul Dodd, SVP of sales at Compeat.

By Paul Dodd • April 10, 2019

Jeni Britton Bauer on how simple goals can create a splendid brand

The founder of Jeni's Spendid Ice Creams shares what it takes to build a brand into a cult favorite, how to encourage creativity and what to look for in a team. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 10, 2019

Dig Inn lands $20M led by Danny Meyer-backed investor, will expand into full-service

The farm-to-table plans to open a sit-down location in New York City, in a move that bucks the industry trend of casual dining chain's launching fast casual concepts to drive growth. 

By Kevin Whiteley • April 10, 2019

Even with more teenage workers, restaurants struggling to fill positions

The number of employees from 16 to 19 years old is back up to 2007 numbers, but is expected to shrink in the long term, according to the National Restaurant Association's latest industry report.

By Alicia Kelso • April 10, 2019

Burger King settles lawsuit with franchisee from rodent video

The fast food chain had sued operator Fritz Management to stop using its brand name in 37 locations in Texas, claiming negative media attention following viral videos of rodents in a kitchen is causing sales to decline. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated May 16, 2019

72% of casual dining operators report delivery growth

Even though less than 40% of restaurants in this segment offer delivery, the channel drove positive financial performance in 2018 compared to two years prior, according to National Restaurant Association's latest industry report.

By Julie Littman • April 9, 2019

Former Land O'Lakes CIO joins Subway amid leadership shake ups

Mike Marcie is joining Subway as it battles for relevance in a saturated fast food market and undergoes a leadership shuffle.

By Samantha Schwartz • April 9, 2019

Chuck E. Cheese plans to go public after merger

The merger between Leo Holdings and Queso could position the chain to purchase other family concepts, CEC Entertainment CEO Tom Leverton hinted during a webcast. 

By Julie Littman • April 8, 2019

Benihana enters sports arenas with AEG partnership

The restaurant is bringing its teppanyaki tables and performing chefs to 400- and 550-square-foot units in Dignity Health Sports Park and Sprint Center as casual chains look to nontraditional channels for growth.

By Kevin Whiteley • April 8, 2019

Restaurant brands bring recognition, familiarity and innovation to Big Food's menu

Restaurants like P.F. Chang's and California Pizza Kitchen have increasingly licensed items in grocery stores to help boost overall revenue, but food delivery could make these products less lucrative.  

By Christopher Doering • April 8, 2019

Why McDonald's is supersizing its tech spending

The QSR giant bought a technology company and invested in a mobile app developer in just a week, signaling an aggressive focus on its drive-thru sales and digital offerings.

By Julie Littman • April 5, 2019

Why restaurants need to prepare for another government shutdown

To avoid staggering traffic declines, major chains with locations in Washington, D.C. should plan to adjust supply chains and test geofenced promotions, says Factual CMO Brian Czarny. 

By Brian Czarny • April 5, 2019

Uber Eats lands first airport partnership

If the pilot, which brings travelers food from airport restaurants to their gate, is successful, it could bring the delivery firm a new path to growth. 

By Kevin Whiteley • April 5, 2019

Taco Bell launches 'hiring parties' to beef up labor force

The Mexican QSR is using a different approach to hire workers in a tight labor market, hosting 600 events where prospective workers can partake in on-the-spot interviews and speak with employees and managers. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 5, 2019

Shift Change: Kona Grill, Red Robin CEOs depart

This week's Shift Change highlights executive changes at Red Robin, Vitality Bowls, Kona Grill, Little Caesars and more. 

By Julie Littman • April 5, 2019

McDonald's cuts down late-night menu

The fast food chain's move is in line with its overall strategy to increase efficiencies and reduce its reliance on labor. 

By Julie Littman • April 5, 2019

Marijuana consumption expected to boost restaurant foot traffic, sales

A Technomic report indicated that 63% of cannabis consumers eat more food after use, presenting an opportunity for restaurants to grow revenue. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 4, 2019