The Latest
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The restaurant labor market in 6 key statistics
Slowing turnover, steady unemployment and flat real wage growth point to growing restaurant employer power over workers compared to 2022 and 2021.
Updated Nov. 3, 2023 -
Sponsored by Square
For most restaurants, the AI revolution will start small
Tech leader and operator Ming-Tai Huh on how AI can measurably increase your bottom line through small improvements.
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Rock N Roll Sushi hires experienced franchise exec as CEO
Craig LeMieux, who has decades of franchising experience, will lead the chain as its top executive. Terri Jessen was appointed VP of operations.
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How 6 casual chains revamped their menus in 2023
IHOP, Denny’s, Red Robin and TGI Fridays emphasized menu updates this year in a bid to boost traffic and sales.
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Retrieved from CaliExpress by Flippy on December 05, 2023
Miso Robotics to open autonomous restaurant in California
CaliExpress by Flippy was created in partnership with Cali Group and PopID and uses robotic arms to cook burgers and fries, requiring minimal human labor.
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Column
Fueling Up: People hate Wawa’s pizza. Here’s what the company can do about it.
Critics and consumers have harshly judged the retailer’s pies since they debuted this summer. If sales are also poor, it may need to pull pizza from its menus, one expert says.
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DoorDash pauses some NYC driver perks, plans to raise fees
After a judge dismissed an appeal against a delivery driver minimum wage law last week, DoorDash will pay its drivers $29.93 per hour of active time, excluding tips, in the Big Apple.
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Huddle House hires former Long John Silver’s CEO as brand president
Blain Shortreed, who has over 30 years of restaurant experience, will oversee company operations, franchising, marketing and culinary innovation.
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Papa Johns will pay $175K to settle ADA claim involving service dog
The worker was not allowed to bring to work the dog he needed for his commute — despite running the accommodation past the store manager ahead of time, according to the complaint.
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Restaurant gift card sales rose during Thanksgiving holiday weekend
Guests spent 7.3% more on restaurant gift cards during the Thanksgiving weekend compared to the same period in 2022, per Paytronix data.
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McDonald’s asks SCOTUS to hear no-poach case
A group of former employees sued in 2018, alleging that hiring restrictions between the fast food chain and its franchises constituted a “per se” violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.
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Q&A
Why Domino’s is awarding half a million dollars in snow plowing grants
Chief Brand Officer Kate Trumbull explained how the chain’s latest effort shows off an "experienced by few, seen by many" ethos.
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A look back at 8 major franchisee bankruptcies in 2023
Burger King, Popeyes, McDonald’s and more saw multi-unit operators go belly-up due to struggles with inflation, low traffic and rising costs.
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New York judge tosses delivery firms’ effort to overturn $17.96 wage
After a judge denied appeals efforts from Uber Eats, DoorDash and Grubhub, New York City says the companies must pay drivers $17.96 an hour in their next pay cycles.
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Brinker appoints MGM Resorts exec as Maggiano’s president
Dominique Bertolone joins the casual dining Italian brand as it faces sliding traffic and looks to resume growth.
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Sprinkles promotes new COO
Justin Murakami will lead operations as the company prepares to expand its network of production and pantry bakeries, as well as its cupcake “ATMs.”
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How 5 restaurant chains are preparing for $20 wage in California
Brands like McDonald’s and Chipotle are planning menu price hikes and investing in operations and tech improvements to offset higher labor costs.
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Inspire Brands changes its corporate structure
The company’s new structure is centered on brands, commercial and company restaurants and growth, to take advantage of its scale and shared services.
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McDonald’s reinvents McNugget Buddies for streetwear-minded adults
For its latest nostalgia play, the chain teamed with multifaceted artist and influencer Kerwin Frost to put a new spin on the iconic collectibles.
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Kitchen United will sell or close all physical units, pivot to software
The ghost kitchen pioneer, which raised $100 million last year to expand its food halls, began to offload its physical locations months ago. It has already shuttered its Kroger outposts, which made up 44% of its footprint.
Updated Nov. 29, 2023 -
Subway will bring footlong cookie to permanent menu
When the sandwich chain debuted the oblong dessert at a Miami “Cookieway” pop-up last year, supply ran out in less than two hours.
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3 ways restaurants can drive traffic in 2024
Operators are reaching a price hike ceiling as diners worry about their spending, but deep discounts can hurt margins, making it tricky to offer meaningful value, Deutsche Bank analyst Lauren Silberman said at RFDC.
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A Taco Bell worker reported a party where co-workers were ‘openly having sex.’ Employees retaliated and HR did nothing, a lawsuit alleges.
An employee said she was told to transfer locations after reporting threats of harassment to human resources.
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Starbucks adds 4 holiday cold foam flavors
Starbucks’ new holiday cold foam could help drive year-round consumption of cold coffee, even as customization strains store-level labor.
Updated Nov. 29, 2023 -
Can c-stores become dinner destinations?
While the industry is better known for beverages and snacks, a growing emphasis on meals can open big opportunities for retailers with the right offers.
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Why QSRs are doubling down on kiosks
Burger King, Taco Bell and Shake Shack are among the chains adding this technology to boost check and reduce labor pressure.