Page 2


  • A smiling female barista hands two warm takeout coffee cups to a waiting customer.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Maksym Belchenko via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Coffee, tea QSRs report traffic bump from return to office

    Category operators opened 3,500 new units as of March 2023 compared to March 2022 following a spike in consumer demand, according to Circana data.

  • An image of a refreshed Subway.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Subway
    Image attribution tooltip

    FTC reportedly investigating Roark’s Subway purchase

    The agency began an investigation this month, Politico reports. The FTC is concerned the deal could create a monopoly in the sandwich segment, as Roark Capital also owns Arby’s, Jimmy John’s and related chains. 

    M&A
  • Starbucks baristas and supporters protest outside a store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Mario Tama via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks introduces oversight committee to improve governance

    The coffee chain said the Environmental, Partner and Community Impact committee will help improve its supply chain operations and employee relationships.

  • Unionized Starbucks workers outside of cafe
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Starbucks Workers United
    Image attribution tooltip
    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Labor federation nominates 3 Starbucks board candidates

    The Strategic Organizing Center’s nominations, which include a former chair of the National Labor Relations Board, mark a new front in Starbucks’ union saga.

  • Image of a counter with a ordering kiosk and shelves in the background with bags.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Kitchen United
    Image attribution tooltip

    Why ghost kitchen pioneers want to say goodbye to the name

    Omnichannel business, a focus on operations and reasonable growth timetables set the stage for ghost kitchens’ second act.

  • An image of Popeyes' five wings flavors on an orange background
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Popeyes
    Image attribution tooltip

    Popeyes adds wings lineup to core menu

    The menu expansion follows the chain's successful Ghost Pepper Wings LTO, which contributed to a 5.6% increase in same-store sales during Q3.

  • Coffee bar in supermarket
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Sprouts Farmers Market
    Image attribution tooltip

    Sprouts expands partnership with Phoenix coffee chain

    Following a successful pilot, the grocer has opened a Press Coffee bar in a store in Scottsdale, Arizona, and plans to bring the concept to three more locations in the city during the coming weeks.

  • A person pays in a restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Creative via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Digital payments have increased restaurant tips. But is it backfiring?

    Some diners feel pressured by tipping digitally in front of employees, which can hurt restaurant traffic, but experts say there are best practices that can ease customer trepidation.  

  • A Pizza Hut pie made with Beyond Meat pepperoni in the U.S.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Pizza Hut
    Image attribution tooltip

    Beyond Meat makes another push into restaurants with Pizza Hut pepperoni in the UK

    The LTO topping will be available starting in January. The plant-based pioneer has struggled to gain traction with similar partnerships in the U.S. 

  • Jimmy Donaldson, or MrBeast, smiles and poses with other influencers in front of branding for his burger chain.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Dave Kotinsky via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Are celebrity-backed virtual brands worth the risks?

    A string of messy and high-profile lawsuits over MrBeast Burger have put the category’s challenges under a spotlight, but experts say there may be opportunity in an omnichannel second act for virtual brands.

  • Graphic image of drive-thru system
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Presto Automation Inc.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Presto lays off 17% of global workforce

    The staff reduction, which may impact around two dozen employees, is part of the technology company’s strategy to reduce costs, boost profitability and streamline operations.

  • A photograph of chefs in a kitchen.
    Image attribution tooltip
    sam edwards via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    ‘Stop the bleeding’: Why experts say retention is key to restaurant labor profitability

    By identifying in-house talent early and scaling employee support, restaurants can reduce churn at lower costs than they would incur hiring new workers, panelists said at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference. 

  • NLRB delays effective date of joint employer rule to February

    In a reprieve for franchisors, the National Labor Relations Board pushed back the date its joint employer rule would take effect to early next year.

    Updated Nov. 20, 2023
  • A photo of Bar Louie's new unit layout.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Bar Louie
    Image attribution tooltip

    Bar Louie offers 50% franchise fee discount for first-time operators

    The casual chain also developed a contemporary, flexible design as part of its strategy to accelerate franchise growth. 

  • Checkers fries
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Checkers & Rally's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Checkers and Rally’s names CFO, CMO

    Michael Blair, previously at Miller’s Ale House, joins the chain as CFO, while Scott Johnson, previously at Jollibee, takes the CMO role.

  • A photograph of IHOP's Eggs Benedicts
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of IHOP
    Image attribution tooltip

    IHOP, Applebee’s lean into menu development to drive sales

    IHOP rolled out its biggest menu update in its history this year, which led to an uptick in sales, and Applebee’s is testing 200 items as part of its own update.

  • New York City waiter prepares dining room
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    The public dislikes tip pools, Pew finds

    Tip pools have proved a controversial wage-and-hour topic, especially when back- and front-of-house staff are both included.

  • A view of a Wendy's restaurant on May 12, 2021 in Pinole, California.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wendy’s franchisee files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

    Starboard Group, which operates 72 units, said inflation, falling customer count and expensive remodels contributed to its financial woes.

  • Starbucks Workers United members pose for a picture outside a Chicago store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks Workers United
    Image attribution tooltip
    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Starbucks Workers United stages second ‘Red Cup Rebellion’ strike

    In its second annual demonstration against one of Starbucks’ key holiday promotions, the union seeks to increase customer involvement.

  • Business people, meeting and corporate discussion against a blurred background at the office. Group of employees in team planning, presentation or training staff for collaboration.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    What keeps 4 restaurant CEOs up at night

    Employee welfare and threats to franchising’s “American dream” are two of the existential fears the heads of Cava, Chicken Salad Chick, Golden Corral and Caribou Coffee discussed at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference.

  • An image of various dishes from Modern Market's menu.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Modern Market Eatery
    Image attribution tooltip

    Modern Market Eatery opens first drive-thru restaurant

    The Colorado Springs, Colorado, location uses a double-sided production line to ensure quick service for drive-thru guests.  

  • Postmates campaign art
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Postmates
    Image attribution tooltip
    Column

    Campaign Trail: Postmates animates food-fueled fever dreams

    Created by Mother in LA, “This Is Your Brain on Food” uses different illustrators to visualize the emotions created by BBQ, boba tea and beyond.

  • An image of Jeff Shepherd, Subway CFO, in front of a green and white Subway logo
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Subway
    Image attribution tooltip

    Subway names CFO

    Jeff Shepherd brings nearly 30 years of financial experience to his position at Subway and succeeds Ben Wells, who joined the chain in December 2019. 

  • Patrick Doyle speaks onstage during a keynote session at the Restaurant Finance and Development Conference.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Emma Beckett/Restaurant Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Patrick Doyle: RBI’s key product is its franchise model, not brand menus

    “People use the term owner-operator interchangeably with franchisee, and I think where people have gotten in trouble is when they are just owners. You have to be both,” Doyle, RBI’s executive chairman, said at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference.

  • Boyz II Men for a Chili's ad campaign
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chili's Grill & Bar
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chili’s remixes Baby Back Ribs jingle with Boyz II Men

    The nostalgia-led play leans into a misconception that the group was behind the tune when it first blew up in the ‘90s.