The Latest

  • Grubbrr's kiosks on display at the National Restaurant Association Show in 2024.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    9 restaurant industry trade shows to attend in 2025

    The coming year is brimming with restaurant conferences and trade shows covering key issues for the business sector, from franchising strategy to economic forecasts.

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    adobe.stock.com/PixelBus

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    Sponsored by reciProfity

    How the lack of food costing technology is costing restaurants more money

    For restaurant owners, understanding the nuances of food costing is not just an operational necessity; it’s a crucial factor in ensuring profitability and sustainability.

  • A Starbucks store stands in Manhattan on January 30, 2024 in New York City.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Starbucks appoints ex-Chipotle exec as first global chief brand officer

    Tressie Lieberman joins the coffee chain as part of new CEO Brian Niccol’s marketing overhaul, which also includes a recent agency appointment.

  • An image of two men smiling. The man on the left wears a black shirt with a "Fuzzy's Taco Shop" logo while the other wears a suit with a white undershirt.
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    Courtesy of Fuzzy's Taco Shop
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    Fuzzy’s Taco Shop names new president, COO

    The Dine Brand chain promoted Patrick Kirk to the dual role of president and CMO and hired Marshall Claycamp from sister brand IHOP as its COO.

  • Close up of African American voter with national flag in waiting line during US elections.
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    Drazen Zigic via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Serving the electorate: Restaurants and voters share common ground this election

    Inflation, the job market, economy, taxes and immigration reform are key issues impacting operators ahead of the election, writes the National Restaurant Association’s Michelle Korsmo.

  • An image of a Richtech Robotics adanced robotic beverage system. The white robot is preparing a drink at a counter top.
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    Courtesy of Richtech Robotics
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    Richtech Robotics to open 20 more automated restaurants inside Walmart stores

    The tech company, which uses robotic arms to create drinks, will become a Ghost Kitchens America franchisee as part of its expansion plans.

  • A Dickey's Barbecue Pit
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    Courtesy of Dickey's Barbecue Pit
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    Dickey’s franchisees sue company over inflated financial projections

    Franchisees from Idaho and Ohio say that buildout costs were higher and sales lower than what the barbecue chain initially stated.

  • An image of a blue sign that says Qargo Coffee.
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    Retrieved from Qargo Coffee on October 17, 2024
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    FTC issues $1.3M judgment over coffee chain’s violations of the Franchise Rule

    The Federal Trade Commission alleged Qargo Coffee failed to disclose a founder’s history with defunct Burgerim in addition to details involving a past bankruptcy.

    Updated Oct. 18, 2024
  • Two women are sitting at a table while a man holds out a basket.
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    Courtesy of Chick-fil-A
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    Chick-fil-A to open first Singapore restaurant, enter Asia in 2025

    The chicken chain will invest $75 million over 10 years to support its expansion within Singapore, which will provide a gateway into the rest of the continent.

  • Michael Montagano, Dog Haus' CEO, and Jake Paul in front of a Dog Haus restaurant at night. Montagano wears slacks and a sport coat, Paul wears cargo shorts and a t-shirt.
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    Courtesy of Dog Haus
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    Dog Haus signs 25-unit franchise deal with boxer Jake Paul

    The controversial YouTuber will join the company’s board and bring his star power to the brand as it looks to juice sales.

  • TV personality Simon Cowell, wearing a black T-shirt, sits behind a metal kitchen counter with Domino's branding
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    Permission granted by Domino's Pizza
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    Domino’s promotes brand chief to CMO to sharpen global strategy

    Kate Trumbull, who helped revamp the chain’s loyalty program, is tasked with scaling its Hungry for MORE initiative to international markets.

  • A Smoothie King with a drive-thru.
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    Courtesy of Smoothie King
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    Smoothie King boasts most quarterly openings in 6 years

    The company opened its first units in Delaware and New Hampshire last quarter and is significantly expanding its presence in Colorado.

  • A photographof three sandwiches at Dickey's
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    Courtesy of Dickey's
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    Dickey’s enhances menu with Southern-inspired fare

    The new menu accompanies recent strategic initiatives that include ceasing expansion of its non-barbecue brands and reinvesting in its traditional restaurants.

  • Starbucks-Labor Unions
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    (Photo by Scott Olson) via Getty Images
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    Starbucks hands US creative duties to WPP amid turnaround push

    The agency network is forming a bespoke unit for the chain that is trying to reclaim its status as a premium brand and community coffeehouse.

  • One of Serve Robotics next generation robots
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    Courtesy of Serve Robotics
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    Serve Robotics debuts faster, larger robots for Uber Eats deal

    The company is on track to deploy about 250 robots in Los Angeles in Q1 2025, and its next gen model can run for longer and carry more.

  • An image of a man wearing a suit in front of an orange logo sign that says "Togo's"
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    Permission granted by Togo's
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    Togo’s appoints CFO to CEO position

    Matt Dowling, who has been CFO for three years, will continue in that role while also taking on the top executive position.

  • Kraft Heinz's Heinz Tap device.
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    Courtesy of Kraft Heinz
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    Kraft Heinz ‘betting big’ on reaching consumers away from home

    The ketchup and Mac & Cheese maker said its foodservice unit is “an integral strategic building block” to growing its business and raising brand awareness.

  • An image of a bowl with meat and other vegetables. A cookie is next to the bowl as is a plastic fork and pink drink.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle makes minority investment in Mediterranean fast casual concept

    As part of its Cultivate Next venture fund, Chipotle invested in six-unit Brassica as well as artificial intelligence supply chain platform Lumachain.

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    Chicken Salad Chick
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    Chicken Salad Chick signs 5 franchise agreements across the Midwest

    The flurry of franchise deals will strengthen the chain’s presence in Chicago and bring it to new markets like Cleveland and Kansas City, Missouri.

  • KFC's ad campaign for its new chicken tenders is a "battle cry" to fast-food competitors.
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    KFC is battle-ready in satirical campaign for chicken tenders debut

    The fried-chicken chain playfully nods to competitors like Popeyes in a campaign depicting a chicken tenders war.

  • An image of a pink building with a Chuy's sign on the side.
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    The image by Michael Rivera is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Darden wraps up Chuy’s acquisition

    The Tex-Mex chain brings strong unit volumes — about $4.5 million — to Darden, but its same-store sales fell last quarter, like many casual dining brands.

    M&A
  • A person in a PSL hat sits at a table pouring something into a glass.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Looking to replace pumpkin spice? Stop looking.

    One day there may be another innovative product that hits the cultural zeitgeist, but even then experts say the fall favorite is here to stay.

  • A Zaxby's logo used for the chicken chain.
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    Glenn, Miles. (2022). "Zaxby's" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    Zaxbys is coming to Maryland

    The chicken brand has signed a three-unit franchising deal covering the state’s Eastern Shore.

  • An image of three Krispy Kreme doughnuts and six in a box.
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    Permission granted by McDonald's/Krispy Kreme
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    McDonald’s tie-up with Krispy Kreme expands to Chicago

    The Golden Arches’ home market starts serving Krispy Kreme doughnuts next week as part of a drive to add the treats to 1,000 of its restaurants this year.

  • 7-Eleven
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    7-Eleven shuttering 444 North American stores amid strategic pivot

    The retailer also aims to generate $520 million through sale-leasebacks of an undisclosed number of stores as its parent company slashes its profit forecast and spins off non-core segments.

  • A Fazoli's store.
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    Permission granted by Fazoli's
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    Fazoli’s returns to Utah with 5-store deal

    Fat Brands, which acquired Fazoli's in 2021, is focused on bringing the Italian QSR back to markets it once left.