Wendy's breakfast challenges rival offerings

In the wake of Wendy's nationwide breakfast launch Monday, McDonald's offered diners free Egg McMuffins and Burger King pushed its Croissan'wich on Twitter.

By Julie Littman • March 2, 2020

Sonic Drive-In shifts away from '2 Guys' to showcase real families

The chain's first work with new agency Mother includes a brand identity refresh that focuses on real people.

By Dianna Christie • March 2, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Back-of-house Technology

From AI-enhanced inventory management systems and analytics to robot-powered kitchen equipment, restaurants are investing in technology solutions to optimize kitchen operations and reduce employee turnover. 

By Restaurant Dive staff

5 ways Dine Brands is combating traffic declines

CEO Steve Joyce explains how the company's growing catering platform and new focus on urban markets are among the ways it is trying to bring in more guests.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 28, 2020

Shake Shack takes on procure-to-pay, supplier management in tech upgrade

A digital transformation and new enterprise resource planning systems gives Shake Shack a more granular picture of its procurement operations and frees up in-restaurant teams from administrative tasks.

By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 28, 2020

Lawsuit filed against Jimmy John's over serving contaminated sprouts

A food safety law firm has filed one of the first lawsuits against Jimmy John's on behalf of a customer who got sick after eating E. coli contaminated sprouts.

By Alicia Kelso • Updated March 6, 2020

Cosi files for bankruptcy, again

This marks the chain's second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in just four years, despite its attempt to leverage catering to strengthen its performance. 

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 25, 2020

Taco Bell CEO says chain will 'definitely' add plant-based protein

Mark King told Nation's Restaurant News he's met with Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods and the restaurant could launch new products by year's end.

By Lauren Manning • Feb. 25, 2020

Cousins Subs fights turnover by treating employees like family

"It's tough out there" for food-service employers, one exec admits, yet the chain thrives in part by being intentional about giving thanks.

By Ryan Golden • Feb. 24, 2020

Domino's zeros in on tech to improve service, labor costs

Tools like GPS tracking, a newly launched Pie Pass program, autonomous delivery tests and AI platforms for staffing could help franchisees drive efficiencies and profitability in a tight labor market. 

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 21, 2020

Shift Change: Checkers & Rally's, Focus Brands hire new CEOs

Additional executive news includes The Cheesecake Factory's new board member and Papa John's chief development officer hire. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 21, 2020

Wendy's pays $400K to settle Massachusetts child labor charges

Several of the nation's biggest restaurant chains, including Chipotle and Qdoba, have been charged with violating Massachusetts' child labor laws. 

By Lisa Burden • Feb. 21, 2020

Domino's CFO: Carryout business is 'on fire'

The pizza chain boasted a 3.9% increase in same-store sales on carryout in the U.S. and will continue to lean heavily on growing this business, which makes up about half of its sales and outpaced delivery growth last year.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 20, 2020

Pizza Hut's largest franchisee reportedly considering bankruptcy

If NPC International files for bankruptcy, the move could help the company renegotiate lease agreements with landlords, Bloomberg reports.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 20, 2020

Chili's wants you to 'laugh so hard you pee a little' with new campaign

Focusing on its on-premise experience, the Brinker International chain dabbles in ASMR, experiential marketing and more.

By Dianna Christie • Feb. 20, 2020

Cheesecake Factory now accepts Yelp reservations

A limited number of tables are available to book at all U.S. restaurants, which could help boost traffic for the casual dining chain and bypass its sometimes hours-long wait times. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 20, 2020

Inspire Brands explores ghost kitchens

Inspire, which would be one of the first multi-brand owners to explore the model, told Restaurant Dive it wasn't ready to comment on its ghost kitchen trademarks as of Tuesday.

By Lauren Manning • Feb. 19, 2020

New CFO takes reins at Yelp as it struggles to monetize site traffic

More than six months after CFO Lanny Baker left the company to head finance at Eventbrite, Yelp has named an experienced replacement whom it hopes will spur momentum.

By Jane Thier • Feb. 18, 2020

Domino's speeds up pizza pickup with Pie Pass

This investment reflects growing focus on optimizing pickup, since 95% of diners report collecting their order on time is the most important aspect of the service. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 18, 2020

Lunch Break: Firehouse Sub's VP of operations services shares strategies for tech deployment

Rich Goodman talks about how the sandwich chain, with a 98% franchised system, approaches upgrades, from new online guest experiences to digital education resources for employees. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 18, 2020

WeWork launches Food Labs in NYC amid struggles

The company opened its newest food-focused co-working space and innovation lab, which is designed to promote research and development and collaboration.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 14, 2020

Meijer opens sushi restaurant and craft beer bar

The new concept serves beer from local Bell's Brewery to accompany chef-made rolls and non-sushi dishes like Asian chicken wings.

By Krishna Thakker • Feb. 14, 2020

Burgerim drama mounts as WA, MD revoke franchise registration

Franchisees of the beleaguered burger chain, once considered one of the hottest and fastest growing brands, face additional challenges as states revoke the franchisor's right to sell licenses.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 13, 2020

Secret Sauce: Pinstripes uses a different kind of equity partnership to grow

Joining forces with real estate developers has helped this eatertainment concept, which opened during the Great Recession, reach toward its long-term goal of over 100 units in the U.S.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 12, 2020

Starbucks' airport strategy takes flight with 2 deals

The coffee chain hopes to explore innovative store concepts with Paradies Lagardère and OTG Management, including offerings like gate-to-gate delivery, and will open new locations this year. 

By Lauren Manning • Feb. 11, 2020

Sonic to buy 73 units from bankrupt franchisee

The franchisor plans to acquire the units from SD Holdings, which operates in North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Alabama, after the operator accumulated $22.3 million in secured debt.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 11, 2020