Corporate Operations

  • An image of a building with a sign that says "Sweetgreen."
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    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen CTO shares the chain’s data-focused approach to CX

    CTO Wouleta Ayele discussed why she designs experiences by working backwards from an ideal outcome at the National Retail Federation’s Big Show conference.

    By Bryan Wassel • Jan. 15, 2025
  • A Papa Johns worker delivers fresh dough and ingredients from a truck.
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Why Papa Johns wants market density, not more territories

    The pizza chain’s biggest growth opportunities lie in markets where it already has a presence, executives told investors in December.

    By • Jan. 13, 2025
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    sam edwards via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Menu development

    Restaurants big and small are experimenting with their menus to align with the preferences of on-the-go diners and mitigate the impact of rising food costs, supply chain disruption and shrinking consumer discretionary funds. 

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • An image of a Noodles & Company restaurant with outdoor seating
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    Courtesy of Noodles & Company
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    Noodles & Company warned of Nasdaq delisting

    After third-quarter earnings disappointed and its stock price fell under $1, the company has yet to recover.

    By • Jan. 2, 2025
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Inside Starbucks’ very long, very bad 2024

    Traffic declines and labor strife kept the chain mired in trouble despite a CEO switch up and product launches aimed at reviving its fortunes.

    By • Jan. 2, 2025
  • The outside of a LongHorn Steakhouse.
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    Scott Olson / Staff via Getty Images
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    Darden Restaurants begins POS rollout as it pursues speedier service

    The new point-of-sale system will help the company speed up orders and improve its data capabilities at nine restaurant brands, executives said.

    By Bryan Wassel • Dec. 19, 2024
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    DoorDash to require 150K workers to verify IDs weekly

    The delivery platform framed the more stringent verification policies as a way to improve consumer and merchant peace of mind.

    By • Dec. 13, 2024
  • A Papa Johns' employee cuts pizza after preparing it.
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Why Todd Penegor wants Papa Johns to make more pizzas

    Menu innovation may drive customer trial, but that doesn’t strengthen the brand’s core appeal, the chain’s CEO said during an investor event.

    By • Dec. 12, 2024
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    10 pivotal restaurant CEO changes from 2024

    Starbucks, Chipotle and Shake Shack were among many brands brought in new leaders this year following retirements or a need for a turnaround. 

    By • Dec. 9, 2024
  • An image of Red Loster sign on the outside of a restaurant
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    10 of the restaurant industry’s most impactful bankruptcies of 2024

    While dozens of brands and operators filed for bankruptcy this year, a sample of major filings show a range of problems from rising labor costs to low traffic.

    By • Dec. 5, 2024
  • A Qdoba store around dusk.
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    Permission granted by Qdoba
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    Qdoba is coming to Arizona

    The fast casual Mexican brand plans to open up to 10 stores in the state in the next two years.

    By • Dec. 4, 2024
  • Wendy's Global Next Gen store design features a pick-up window for delivery orders and in-store shelving for digital pick-up orders.
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    Courtesy of Wendy's
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    Flynn Group buys 32 more Wendy’s

    The large multi-unit operator now owns about 5% of Wendy’s U.S. store system, plus its Australian and New Zealand master franchises.

    By • Nov. 21, 2024
  • An exterior shot of a Salata store. It's a restaurant with some green umbrellas in front.
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    Courtesy of Salata
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    How Salata plans to triple its store count

    With roughly 100 stores, the salad chain is looking to fill in existing markets, develop its franchisee base and set itself apart from other fast casual brands.

    By • Nov. 14, 2024
  • Wooden seats and tables inside a Cava. In the background there is a make line with digital menu boards.
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava’s winning comp sales streak continued in Q3

    Cava is the clear leader of the Mediterranean fast casual segment, and has had one of the strongest 2024s of any major brand.

    By • Nov. 13, 2024
  • Krispy Kreme doughnuts are displayed in a box.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Krispy Kreme will serve doughnuts in 2K McDonald’s by year’s end

    To support this rapid expansion, Krispy Kreme will boost production at its existing facilities and may work with third-party logistics firms.

    By • Nov. 8, 2024
  • A smiling white man in a blue shirt and a gray jacket with notch lapels.
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    Courtesy of Red Lobster
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    Red Lobster hires Brinker exec as COO

    Larry Konecny joins the seafood chain, which recently emerged from Chapter 11, after a 17-year tenure at Maggiano’s Little Italy.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
  • A TGI Fridays in Miami Beach open during the Coronavirus Pandemic.
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    Boogich via Getty Images
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    Why TGI Fridays filed for bankruptcy

    The casual chain’s fortunes soured this year as scores of stores shut and bondholders took control of its assets, ending a proposed merger.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
  • An image of a a white building with Chipotle signage at night.
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    Permission granted by Chipotle
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    Fast casual chains steam ahead with expansion as other sectors pull back

    Shake Shack, Chipotle and Wingstop are on track to open over 700 units combined this year, while targeting strong sales growth.

    By , • Oct. 31, 2024
  • 7-Eleven
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    Retrieved from Seven & i Holdings.
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    7-Eleven plans 600 stores with new food-focused design by 2027

    The retailer’s newest format features “a larger product assortment and expanded food and beverage offerings,” CEO Joseph DePinto told investors on Thursday.

    By Brett Dworski • Oct. 28, 2024
  • A restaurant sign on an Art Deco building. The restaurant is empty, the sky beside the sign is a cold, harsh blue.
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    Roman Tiraspolsky via Getty Images
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    TGI Fridays has closed 60 stores since September

    The casual dining chain, which may be considering bankruptcy after a failed merger, has closed roughly 100 stores since January. 

    By • Oct. 28, 2024
  • 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.

    By • Oct. 18, 2024
  • 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.

    By • Oct. 14, 2024
  • 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.

    By • Oct. 11, 2024
  • 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.

    By Brett Dworski • Oct. 10, 2024
  • EG Group
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    Retrieved from Cumberland Farms website.
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    EG America reveals 3 new foodservice concepts

    A Cumberland Farms store in Massachusetts is now home to the retailer’s first Alanza Pizza, Burger Baby and Wing Trip locations.

    By Jessica Loder • Oct. 8, 2024
  • A renderite image of a Perkins storefront.
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    Courtesy of Perkins
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    Perkins debuts fast casual unit

    The smaller unit balances Perkins’ traditional fare with breakfast sandwiches and a lighter menu section.

    By • Oct. 7, 2024