The Latest
-
lechatnoir via Getty Images
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.
-
Permission granted by Square
Sponsored by SquareGet the most out of the National Restaurant Association Show with Square
Whether you’re attending in person or tuning in from home, growth is on the agenda this year. Take a glimpse at what Square will cover.
-
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Red Lobster closes 48 locations, auctions off contents
The chain, which has had trouble paying its bills on time, may be considering bankruptcy as its minority owner divests from it.
-
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
NLRB judges rule Starbucks participated in unfair labor practices in 2 cases
In one case, an NLRB judge found Starbucks fired a shift supervisor for closing a store early over staffing issues, which is a protected union activity.
-
Permission granted by Fat Brands/Twin Peaks
Fat Brands files for Twin Peaks IPO
Fat plans to use the proceeds of an IPO to deleverage its balance sheet, which includes over $1 billion in debt taken on in a flurry of recent acquisitions.
-
Catherine Douglas Moran/Restaurant Dive
Harris Teeter takes on fast food chains
The grocer is offering a rotating selection of prepared foods for $5 at a dozen stores in the Washington, D.C., area.
-
Permission granted by Fat Brands
Feds indict Andrew Wiederhorn, Fat Brands in $47M loan scheme
Wiederhorn was slapped with a litany of charges including tax evasion, wire fraud and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.
-
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
McDonald’s to focus on digital marketing with new fund
The fund, which will be paid with existing contributions, will allow the chain to market more effectively to customers within its app.
-
Permission granted by Potbelly
Potbelly unveils smaller, digital-centric prototype
The 1,800-square-foot design is 500 square feet smaller than a traditional Potbelly store, which CEO Robert Wright said will help lower construction and lease costs.
-
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Thai Union to fully divest from Red Lobster by the end of year
The minority owner is engaging with potential buyers after determining Red Lobster’s financial requirements no longer align with its capital allocation plans.
-
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
California bans hidden fees starting July 1
The state will require businesses to include all mandatory fees in listed prices, making it harder for restaurants to impose service charges.
-
Permission granted by ezCater
Operators predict continued catering boom
Return-to-office is increasing demand for business catering as employers use meal plans to draw workers in-person, according to a survey from ezCater.
-
Courtesy of Dutch Bros
Dutch Bros expands mobile order test
After seeing strong results from its initial pilot, the chain has expanded the channel to several more Arizona locations and expects to offer the function at most stores by the end of the year.
-
Permission granted by Smoothie King
Smoothie King hires Yum Brands exec as CFO
Gavin Felder, who most recently served as chief strategy officer at Yum Brands, joins the chain as it continues an aggressive growth push with positive same-store sales momentum.
-
Courtesy of Portillo's
Portillo’s four-pronged strategy emphasizes drive-thru speed
The chain is working to improve staff deployment and food throughput as part of an overhaul plan, as drive-thru speeds lag 2019 numbers.
-
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Wendy’s credits loyalty program, mobile app investments for customer growth
“The experience we deliver to our customers is the most impactful driver of our business,” CEO Kirk Tanner said.
-
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Dine’s sales sour on virtual brand closures, slow traffic
IHOP and Applebee’s promotions and LTOs weren’t enough to offset a dip in consumer spending during Q1.
-
Courtesy of Uber Eats/Instacart
Instacart adds restaurant delivery with Uber Eats
Over the next few weeks, Instacart will add a restaurant tab powered by Uber Eats to its app, giving Uber access to potentially millions of new customers.
-
Permission granted by Presto Automation Inc.
Presto tests voice AI tech that doesn’t require human intervention
The company is “in the process of conducting a live test” of an autonomous version of its voice AI product, months after revealing humans intervene 70% of the time it’s used.
-
Rex_Wholster via Getty Images
NLRB appeals joint employer ruling to 5th Circuit
A federal judge vacated the Board’s joint employer final rule in March, holding that it was “contrary to law” and “arbitrary and capricious.”
-
Stephen Chernin via Getty Images
Starbucks’ late-night delivery pilot ‘doubled our business,’ CEO says
A third-party partner prepared Starbucks orders for delivery offsite between the hours of 5 p.m. and 5 a.m., and the coffee giant aims to make a $2 billion business out of this model over the next five years.
-
Courtesy of Bloomin' Brands
Bloomin’ Brands CEO David Deno to retire
The restaurant industry executive has been CEO at the Outback parent for five years. The board has begun a search for his successor.
-
Courtesy of Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen targets dinner customers with steak
The salad chain is following up the successful rollout of protein plates last year with steak, which accounted for nearly one-fifth of dinner orders in a pilot.
-
Stephen Brashear via Getty Images
Starbucks needs to focus on experience, not transactions, former CEO says
Howard Schultz called on the chain's executives to “spend more time with those who wear the green apron” and to better understand customer needs.
-
Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco’s new CEO unveils 5-part operations overhaul
From digital investments to incentivizing franchisees to bolster growth, Liz Williams laid out a path she expects will drive sales while decreasing costs.
-
Courtesy of Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut taps Wendy’s exec as US president
Carl Loredo, Wendy’s former global chief marketing officer, joins the pizza chain after U.S. sales slid 6% year over year last quarter.
