Corporate Operations: Page 10
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Starbucks appoints litigator to general counsel
Brad Lerman brings over 30 years of legal and regulatory experience in the public and private sectors to his position at the coffee giant.
By Julie Littman • April 13, 2023 -
Meridian closes 23 Burger Kings in bankruptcy
Burger King’s U.S. franchisees have closed at least 49 units this year as the brand’s turnaround efforts are restrained by macro-economic problems.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 12, 2023 -
Playa Bowls poaches Smoothie King COO for CEO
Dan Harmon brings decades of franchising and operational experience from his tenure at chains including McDonald’s, Papa Murphy’s and Potbelly.
By Emma Liem Beckett • April 11, 2023 -
Chipotle tests an environmentally ‘responsible’ store design
Chipotle’s new store design will feature all-electric equipment and be powered by renewable energy, the chain says.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 11, 2023 -
Wienerschnitzel targets 500 units after years of flat growth
By offering sizable incentives and highlighting a simple menu and operations, Wienerschnitzel hopes to resume franchise expansion.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 10, 2023 -
Fat Brands stacks board with Wiederhorns
The restaurant company has fired all but one of its directors and replaced them with a slate of new candidates, including three of Andrew Wiederhorn's kids.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 7, 2023 -
McDonald’s to close US field offices, consolidate support teams
The Golden Arches will shift its national support field teams to remote work, enabling it to close regional offices in eight states, per Restaurant Business.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated April 7, 2023 -
Sweetgreen renames burrito bowl following Chipotle suit
Marketing and social media interactions for Sweetgreen’s new Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl are at the heart of the lawsuit against the salad chain.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated April 6, 2023 -
Port of Subs acquired by private equity firm
Area 15 Ventures looks to grow franchise sales in its portfolio, which includes Daddy’s Chicken Shack alongside Port of Subs, by 140% in 18 months.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 4, 2023 -
Burger King franchisee bankruptcies may signal more QSR trouble
The bankruptcy of two major Burger King operators laid bare the problems facing franchisees. But at Burger King, the worst may be over.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 31, 2023 -
Who’s who: Meet the newest CEOs of the restaurant industry
Chains like Starbucks, Restaurant Brands International, CKE Restaurants and True Food Kitchen gained new leadership during Q1.
By Julie Littman • March 29, 2023 -
Church’s Texas Chicken creates VP of strategy and growth position
Neel Patel, formerly of McKinsey, will oversee the brand’s strategic planning. He previously worked on strategy and analytics for the restaurant.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 28, 2023 -
McDonald’s is the latest QSR to embrace geofencing
The feature is designed to improve speed of service for mobile orders and streamline the order preparation process for McDonald’s workers.
By Emma Liem Beckett • March 28, 2023 -
Luckin Coffee’s ‘revenue reckoning’ takeaways
The Beijing-based chain was initially viewed as a kind of David poised to take on the Goliath of the coffee world — Starbucks — in China.
By Maura Webber Sadovi • March 23, 2023 -
True Food Kitchen appoints Lazy Dog exec as CEO
John Williams joins the 43-unit, wellness-focused chain as it looks to grow and open a new fast casual concept to reach new customers.
By Julie Littman • March 23, 2023 -
KFC nuggets open new front in chicken wars
The nuggets will be available nationwide on March 27 following “wildly successful” market tests in North Carolina.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 23, 2023 -
Chick-fil-A plans distribution center in Kansas City
The facility, owned by the restaurant chain’s distribution subsidiary, will be its fifth U.S. location.
By Alejandra Carranza • March 22, 2023 -
Panera tests Amazon One palm scanners at 2 cafes
Panera will expand the tech to between 10 and 20 cafes depending on the reception of the initial test, which links Amazon’s palm scanning technology to its loyalty program.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 22, 2023 -
Starbucks unionization efforts
Starbucks union welcomes CEO with 115-store strike
Laxman Narasimhan faces a nationwide demonstration of Starbucks Workers United members, who are urging for cooperation, one day before the chain’s annual shareholder meeting.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 22, 2023 -
Habit Burger promotes Shannon Hennessy to CEO
Hennessy, who has been president since July 2022, succeeds Russ Bendel, who will retire from the chain effective June 6.
By Emma Liem Beckett , Julie Littman • March 21, 2023 -
Howard Schultz leaves Starbucks 13 days early
Laxman Narasimhan takes the CEO post just three days before Starbucks’ annual shareholder meeting and a week and a half before Schultz is scheduled to appear before the Senate labor committee.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 20, 2023 -
CKE names former Papa Johns COO as CEO
Max Wetzel joins the parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s after working at Papa Johns for over three years in various executive positions.
By Julie Littman • March 17, 2023 -
McDonald’s hires Tabassum Zalotrawala as chief development officer
Zalotrawala, who resigned from Chipotle earlier this week, will lead McDonald’s effort to accelerate U.S. store development and unit growth.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 15, 2023 -
Cinnaholic debuts points-based loyalty program
The 82-unit cinnamon roll brand plans to open 25 units in 2023, and is offering customers a number of minor rewards to incentivize enrollment.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 14, 2023 -
Chipotle’s chief development officer departs
Tabassum Zalotrawala, who has been at the fast casual chain for over four years and helped develop the Chipotlane, has resigned from her position.
By Julie Littman • Updated March 14, 2023