Corporate Operations
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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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 14, 2024 -
Permission granted by McDonald's/Krispy Kreme
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 11, 2024 -
Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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 -
Retrieved from Cumberland Farms website.
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 -
Courtesy of Perkins
Perkins debuts fast casual unit
The smaller unit balances Perkins’ traditional fare with breakfast sandwiches and a lighter menu section.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 7, 2024 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks buys more innovation farms to create climate-proof coffee
Farmers in Costa Rica and Guatemala will test drones, hybrid crop varieties and more as the company aims to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the region.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 7, 2024 -
Permission granted by Rebel
Rebel introduces Hatch Chicken QSR
The proprietary eatery features a variety of chicken and sides and is expected to expand to 20 additional stores next year.
By Jessica Loder • Oct. 2, 2024 -
Courtesy of Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A to open 5 UK restaurants in 2 years
The chicken chain will spend $100 million in the next decade to make the U.K. its first major international market, starting with restaurants in London, Leeds, Liverpool and Belfast.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 26, 2024 -
Caiaimage/Martin Barraud via Getty Images
Restaurant CEO shakeups continue in September
The flood of executive changes in August swept into September, as brands dissolved offices, announced transition plans and replaced ousted chiefs.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 20, 2024 -
Permission granted by BurgerFi
BurgerFi secures funds to operate through bankruptcy
A court approved $3.5 million in funding from TREW Capital Management, giving the burger brand sufficient cash to operate without closing stores.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 17, 2024 -
Permission granted by MOD Pizza
Mod Pizza will refranchise corporate stores
The pizza chain’s new owner, Elite Restaurant Group, is undertaking a comprehensive refranchising effort at the largely company-operated brand.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 13, 2024 -
Permission granted by Starbucks
Starbucks CEO’s 4-part strategy hinges on coffeehouse roots
In a letter to workers and consumers, Brian Niccol laid out a multipart strategy for revitalizing the chain’s core business in the U.S.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 10, 2024 -
Permission granted by Puttshack
Puttshack enters Minnesota with planned mini golf center
The eatertainment chain’s expansion could indicate vitality for the sector, which has seen layoffs and disappointing sales at some brands in recent weeks.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 10, 2024 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
Deep DiveBrian Niccol was hired to transform Starbucks. Is that possible?
Niccol must contend with the coffee chain’s growing brand identity and consumer perception problems, and balance its “third place” value proposition with efficient digital fulfillment.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 9, 2024 -
Courtesy of Pinstripes
Pinstripes warns of corporate layoffs as losses mount
This workforce reduction is part of the chain’s plan to save $4 million in corporate costs, and follows a series of venue-level cost cutting measures.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 5, 2024 -
Julie Littman/Restaurant Dive
BJ’s Restaurants CEO, president Gregory Levin steps down
C. Bradford Richmond, current board director and former Darden CFO, will become interim CEO upon Levin’s departure.
By Julie Littman • Updated Aug. 28, 2024 -
Courtesy of Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburger
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers launches training facility to support growth
The chain’s ambitious growth plans call for more franchisees and managers. Its training and innovation center will help develop brand leaders.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 21, 2024 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Chick-fil-A names new president
Susannah Frost will be responsible for providing strategic clarity and ensuring sustainable growth.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 16, 2024 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
The restaurant industry’s Q2 winners and losers
The last few months have produced radically different outcomes at publicly traded restaurant brands, ranging from sinking sales at McDonald’s to Wingstop’s 28.6% comparable sales jump.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 14, 2024 -
(Photo by Scott Olson) via Getty Images
What Starbucks’ new CEO choice could mean for the company
Analysts predicted new products and advertising would be immediate points of emphasis for incoming CEO Brian Niccol, with major changes looming on the horizon.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 14, 2024 -
Permission granted by One Table Restaurant Group
One Table Restaurant Brands files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protections
Fees on third-party orders and rising debt costs meant a partial recovery from 2020 was not enough to allow the parent company of Tender Greens and Tacaya to repay its creditors.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 18, 2024 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle CFO Jack Hartung to retire after two decades at chain
Adam Rymer, the company’s current vice president of finance, will become CFO in January.
By Julie Littman • July 10, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Jack in the Box to re-enter Chicago market in 2025
The brand, which last operated in the market four decades ago, will start with the development of eight company-operated stores.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 3, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Jack in the Box to enter Georgia with 15-store deal
The fast food chain’s move into the the Peach State is a major boost to its expansion strategy in the Southeast, which has also focused on Florida.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 12, 2024 -
Courtesy of Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza to move HQ to Atlanta
Its East Coast headquarters will help the chain during the next phase of growth, CEO Beto Guajardo said.
By Julie Littman • June 5, 2024
