The Latest

  • 5 chefs work in a restaurant kitchens
    Image attribution tooltip
    lechatnoir via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Restaurant trend outlook for 2024

    Slow traffic, growing interest in afternoon snacking and trends toward value menus, digital and in-store personalization will shape the restaurant landscape.

  • Two people talking in a kitchen
    Image attribution tooltip

    iStockphoto.com/JLco - Julia Amaral

    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Instant Financial

    Breaking it down: Why Gen Z demands pay optionality

    Generation Z demands more flexibility in how they’re paid. Employers need to be ready to embrace these new expectations with options for how employees can be paid.

  • The exterior of a Cava in Chicago
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Cava
    Image attribution tooltip

    Cava’s Chicago store marks Midwestern debut

    The Wicker Park location is part of the chain’s push to add units after reaching profitability in 2023 and completing its Zoës Kitchen conversions.

  • A picture of a beige building with Tropical Smoothie Cafe branding
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Tropical Smoothie Cafe
    Image attribution tooltip

    Tropical Smoothie Cafe sells to Blackstone

    Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but The Wall Street Journal reports it is worth roughly $2 billion.

    Updated April 24, 2024
    M&A
  • Unionized Starbucks workers strike
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Starbucks Workers United
    Image attribution tooltip
    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Starbucks meets 150 workers at the bargaining table in Atlanta

    While the company still plans store-by-store contract ratification, it is discussing issues impacting all employees with a bargaining committee of union members.

  • A bank of windows below a red sign that says "Chipotle." A man stands in the background inside the restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Study: Chipotle, Starbucks have highest burnout among major restaurants

    Chipotle, which recently added new worker benefits to attract hires, had the second-highest burnout rating of any company in the study, surpassed only by Progressive.

  • A photo of the exterior of a Foxtrot opening in July in Austin City Hall.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Foxtrot Markets
    Image attribution tooltip

    Foxtrot ceases operations

    The Chicago-based c-store chain’s sister company, Dom’s Kitchen & Market, suddenly announced Tuesday that all operations have come to a close.

  • People hold signs while protesting in front of Starbucks on April 14, 2022 in New York City.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks argues before Supreme Court to weaken NLRB’s power

    The coffee titan wants courts to use stricter standards when evaluating injunctions in unfair labor practice cases.

  • A close-up of the creamy exterior of the Department of Labor building.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Caroline Colvin/Restaurant Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    DOL will raise overtime salary threshold to $44K in July, $59K next year

    The final rule expands overtime pay eligibility to millions of U.S. workers, the department said.

  • An image of a sign with a red apple and the word Applebee's
    Image attribution tooltip
    Andrew Burton via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Flynn Group buys 26 Applebee’s units, will build 25 more

    Applebee’s is trying to turn around sliding sales and a shrinking footprint through franchising initiatives and traffic-oriented marketing moves.

  • Fuzzy's Taco Shop CMO Patrick Kirk
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Fuzzy's Taco Shop
    Image attribution tooltip

    Fuzzy’s Taco Shop taps Applebee’s vet as CMO

    In his new role, Patrick Kirk will oversee all aspects of marketing, including advertising, digital marketing and culinary and beverage innovation. 

  • An image of Tijuana Flats
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Tijuana Flats
    Image attribution tooltip

    Tijuana Flats files for Chapter 11, gains new owners

    The fast casual chain also closed 11 restaurants after undergoing a unit-by-unit analysis of financial performance, occupancy costs and market conditions. 

  • Inside a Papa Johns location
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Papa Johns
    Image attribution tooltip

    Papa Johns franchisees accelerating growth this year in light of incentives

    Operators who open new units in 2024 don’t have to pay a national ad contribution for five years, which could save $330,000 in development costs, per a BTIG report. 

  • An image of a Zipline P2 delivery drone
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Zipline
    Image attribution tooltip

    Flynn Group, Zipline to deliver Panera Bread orders via drone

    Deliveries are expected to begin next year and will be available from select Panera units in the Greater Seattle area. 

  • An image of Chuck E. Cheese menu items and kids playing at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chuck E. Cheese
    Image attribution tooltip

    6 restaurants that plotted international growth during Q1

    Chains like Fazoli’s, Marco’s Pizza and Chuck E. Cheese secured deals to enter new countries as part of ongoing global expansion plans.

  • An image of Red Loster sign on the outside of a restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Why Red Lobster could be headed toward bankruptcy

    The chain only paid a quarter of its bills on time in February and over half were 61 to 90 days late, according to data from Creditsafe.

  • An image of TGI Fridays signage with red and white stripes
    Image attribution tooltip
    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    4 things to know about TGI Fridays’ acquisition by Hostmore

    The chain’s biggest franchisee has been reducing expenses since 2022, which should help the combined company start on stronger financial footing in the U.K.’s public market.

  • An image of a red and white building with Freddy's signage.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Freddy's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers franchisee must pay $119K for child labor violations

    The operator of seven Alabama Freddy’s locations employed 149 children under 16 years old to work longer hours than permitted by law. 

  • A round red sign hanging off of a glass building that says Chipotle
    Image attribution tooltip
    Michael M. Santiago / Staff via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle agrees to nearly $3M settlement over alleged paid leave and scheduling violations in Seattle

    The settlement is the largest since the Secure Scheduling Ordinance went into effect in July 2017, the Seattle Office of Labor Standards said.

  • Little Caesars Hot and Ready
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Little Caesars
    Image attribution tooltip

    Little Caesars signs multi-unit deals in 7 states

    The chain returned to net unit growth in 2023 and is looking to build on that momentum this year in markets including California, Tennessee and Texas. 

  • An image of a beige building wiht both Fatburger and Round Table Pizza signage
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Fat Brands
    Image attribution tooltip

    Fat Brands expands hybrid Fatburger/Round Table Pizza model to NorCal

    Fat Brands franchisee California Burger will add the burger concept to 40 pizza restaurants over the next 10 years, with the first to be completed this year.

  • A box of St. Patrick's Day themed Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Krispy Kreme
    Image attribution tooltip

    Krispy Kreme switching to points-based loyalty scheme

    Loyalty members will earn 10 points for every dollar spent starting April 23 as the chain shifts away from a consistent 8.3% discount rate on rewards.

  • MOD Pizza
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by MOD Pizza
    Image attribution tooltip

    Mod Pizza hires Raising Cane’s exec as CMO

    Jennifer Anderson brings nearly two decades of marketing and culinary experience to her new position, where she will oversee digital marketing, menu development and consumer insights and engagement. 

  • An image of TGI Fridays signage with red and white stripes
    Image attribution tooltip
    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    TGI Fridays enters $220M agreement to combine with UK franchisee

    The deal with Hostmore, worth over $220 million, will lead to TGI Fridays trading on the London Stock Exchange under “TGIF” symbol. 

  • Wendy's
    Image attribution tooltip
    Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Why dynamic pricing sours restaurant dining experiences

    Nearly two-thirds of consumers had a negative reaction to dynamic pricing, a HungerRush survey found.

  • Bojangles restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Bojangles
    Image attribution tooltip

    Bojangles to enter Los Angeles market in 2025

    California’s recent wage hike hasn’t stopped the chicken chain from committing to open 30 units in the Golden State, continuing its national expansion.