The Latest
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Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Tracking the same-store sales of 21 major restaurant chains
Sales at pizza and casual dining brands have struggled, while QSR giants like McDonald’s and Starbucks saw anemic changes and fast casuals Cava and Chipotle made big gains.
Updated March 20, 2025 -
Andrew Burton via Getty Images
How Applebee’s designed its customer insights program
The restaurant chain incorporated feedback from a range of stakeholders to ensure its customer insights are actionable and readily available.
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Permission granted by First Watch
Why First Watch takes 18 months to develop seasonal menus
The breakfast chain goes on “flavor tours” to inspire its LTOs, which it rotates every 10 weeks in order to keep up with evolving diner demands.
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Permission granted by Shane Woolley
Starbucks and Dunkin’s competitors reap rewards as visits grow
As small coffee brands see their share of longer visits increase, legacy chains are looking to recapture their own on-premise magic.
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Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
Why urban areas are a challenge for casual chains
High rents, difficult buildouts and space limitations are among many reasons why casual full-service chains often avoid spaces in cities. But opportunities are out there, experts say.
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Courtesy of Papa Johns
Papa Johns will use Google AI for analytics, marketing
The pizza chain has tapped Google Cloud’s AI tools to optimize delivery routes, create a customer-facing chatbot and deliver personalized rewards in real time.
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Avosb via Getty Images
Just Salad ex-CFO missed out on $1.2M, lawsuit claims
The former finance chief is seeking funds he claims he’s owed relating to a separation agreement, as well as $5 million in damages.
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JazzIRT via Getty Images
The restaurant labor market in 6 key statistics
Although turnover stabilized last year, early data from 2025 shows increased unemployment and a decrease in hours worked.
Updated April 7, 2025 -
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Solo dining is on the rise, report finds
Younger diners like to eat alone, with 49% of millennials and 46% of Gen Z consumers preferring to do so, according to a TouchBistro report.
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Permission granted by Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen abandons tiered loyalty for points-based program
Executives previously predicted the loyalty program would be a traffic driver, as the salad chain faces a competitive fast casual environment.
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Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
Trump installs 10% baseline tariff, country-specific duties
The president said he will levy import taxes on a wide range of countries, based on White House calculations. The National Restaurant Association said tariffs will only exacerbate pricing problems for the industry.
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Retrieved from Texas Chicken on March 18, 2025
Church’s Texas Chicken to open 900 more international units
Through its international brand Texas Chicken, the chain will enter Germany, Hungary and Georgia for the first time, expanding its presence in Europe.
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Courtesy of P.F. Chang’s
P.F. Chang’s promotes COO Brad Hill to CEO
Hill, who has been at the company for nearly eight years, steps into the role following Eduardo Luz’s departure.
Updated April 2, 2025 -
Courtesy of Domino’s/DoorDash
Domino’s teams with DoorDash, ditches Uber Eats exclusivity
The pizza chain, which has partnered with Uber Eats since 2023, believes third-party aggregator partnerships are a $1 billion sales opportunity.
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Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Waffle House launches late-night delivery at 500 stores
The 24/7 diner chain will serve delivery orders for the first time through third-party aggregators using Olo’s Dispatch tool.
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Courtesy of Hooters Inc.
Hooters of America sells itself, files Chapter 11
The chain will sell over 100 company-owned locations to two major franchisees, which will also take over franchise support and corporate functions.
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Retrieved from PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans on April 01, 2025
PJ’s Coffee parent company CEO to retire
Peter Boylan, who has headed up Ballard Brands since 2016, will remain on as an advisor while David Mesa takes over as president of franchise development.
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Spencer Platt via Getty Images
‘It limits you’: Chipotle manager allegedly refused to schedule worker who needed to pump
The PUMP Act granted federal protections to nursing employees, but working parents may not be aware of what the law provides.
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Jack in the Box hires Lance Tucker as permanent CEO
Tucker, who rejoined the chain as CFO late last year, said the company needs to make priority changes quickly to reverse same-store sales problems.
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Yum Brands CEO David Gibbs will retire next year
Under Gibbs, the company added more than 10,000 restaurants, acquired the Habit Burger & Grill and grew sales by $13 billion.
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Courtesy of Chili’s
Chili’s serves up ‘Office’ nostalgia at new Scranton location
The Pennsylvania location arrives as the workplace comedy, which stopped airing over a decade ago, continues to resonate strongly with consumers.
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Sean Gallup via Getty Images
Uber, OpenTable join forces to offer dining, transportation benefits
In the coming months, Uber Eats, Uber and OpenTable apps will provide consumers access to reservations, transportation and membership benefits.
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Permission granted by Bojangles
Bojangles appoints former KFC exec as chief legal officer
Kate Ward, who worked at KFC for nine years, becomes Bojangles’ top legal executive as the chain pushes for 1,000 units.
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Permission granted by Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks CEO resigns
Joe Hummel will leave the company on April 10 along with Chief Legal Officer Clay Mingus, both of whom have been at the brand for over seven years.
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Retrieved from First We Feast on March 20, 2025
How Jack in the Box is working its brand into ‘Hot Ones,’ ‘Call Her Daddy’
Agency TBWA\Chiat\Day Los Angeles is looking beyond quirky TV ads to drive cultural impact for a new “So Munch More” brand platform.
