Corporate Operations: Page 10

  • A selection of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's food with new branding
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    Courtesy of CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.
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    Major CKE franchisee goes bankrupt, shutters 39 stores

    Summit Restaurant Holdings, which operates around 106 Hardee’s locations, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Thursday.

    By • May 5, 2023
  • An image of one of Wienerschntizel's new ghost kitchen units.
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    Courtesy of Wienerschnitzel
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    Wienerschnitzel tests new markets with ghost kitchens

    Three new ghost kitchens will help gauge brand reception in markets like Georgia, which is over 500 miles from the nearest Wienerschnitzel store. 

    By • May 4, 2023
  • A photograph of chefs in a kitchen. Explore the Trendline➔
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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
  • A photograph of a standalone Chipotle around dusk.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Inside Chipotle’s record-breaking Twitter promotion

    A National Burrito Day giveaway earned the brand its second-highest digital sales day of all time and its highest one-day volume on social media.

    By Jessica Deyo • May 4, 2023
  • Brinker International launched its second virtual brand, Maggiano's Italian Classics, in 2021.
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    Retrieved from Maggiano's Italian Classics on August 18, 2021
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    Brinker to phase out Maggiano’s Italian Classics virtual brand

    The brand lasted fewer than two years at the restaurant company, which is looking to to free up labor and time to focus on in-restaurant operations. 

    By • May 4, 2023
  • A Papa John's sign.
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    Joe Raedle / Staff via Getty Images
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    Papa Johns taps fast casual veteran as CMO

    Mark Shambura joins the brand after a stint at the fast-growing chain Mod Pizza and was praised for his digital- and analytics-led approach.

    By Chris Kelly • May 3, 2023
  • Burger King's newest design for restaurants following COVID-19 pandemic
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    400 Burger Kings may close in US this year

    With traffic still down, Restaurant Brands International expects “more noise” as it moves to concentrate ownership of units among high-level franchisees.

    By • May 2, 2023
  • A promotional image for Subway's new menu
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    Permission granted by Subway
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    Subway adds 6 sandwiches to latest menu

    The sandwich giant’s revamped menu has helped improve its brand positioning over the last year as it pursues a sale at a $10 billion valuation.

    By • May 1, 2023
  • An image of a building with glass and a yellow sign that says Fatburger next to an image on orange buffalo
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    Permission granted by Fat Brants
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    Fat Brands names co-CEOs after Wiederhorn family members fill half of board seats

    Ken Kuick and Rob Rosen, Fat’s current CFO and EVP of capital markets, will take the reins of the company effective May 5, replacing Andy Wiederhorn.

    By • May 1, 2023
  • Ben & Jerry's explains "defunding the police" with scoops of ice cream
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    Retrieved from Ben & Jerry's on November 18, 2020
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    Ben & Jerry’s recognizes scoopers’ union following card check

    The ice cream chain may be the first national brand to sign a set of principles that have formed a core demand in other campaigns, including Starbucks Workers United.

    By • Updated June 1, 2023
  • 7-Eleven
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    Tim Boyle via Getty Images
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    7-Eleven VP departs for Wingstop

    Raj Kapoor will oversee the chicken chain’s growth and development strategy for international markets.

    By Brett Dworski • April 27, 2023
  • A photo of Natalie Rothman, Inspire's incoming Chief People Officer.
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    Courtesy of Inspire Brands
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    Inspire Brands hires new HR chief

    Natalie Rothman, Inspire’s incoming chief people officer, has led the HR efforts of large employers including Advance Autoparts and PepsiCo global foodservice.

    By • April 27, 2023
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    yaoinlove via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s price hikes are boosting sales, but some diners are pulling back

    The chain wants to drive value for customers with menu tweaks and personalized offers, but CEO Chris Kempczinski said the latter effort requires “sophistication.”

    By • April 25, 2023
  • An image of a California Pizza Kitchen restaurant.
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    Courtesy of California Pizza Kitchen
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    California Pizza Kitchen turns to refranchising to drive growth

    The chain, which launched domestic franchising in 2021, plans to sell corporate-owned units in select U.S. markets to multi-unit operators.

    By • April 24, 2023
  • An image of three brand presidents at Inspire Brands.
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    Courtesy of Inspire Brands
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    Inspire appoints brand presidents across 3 restaurant chains

    The company has promoted existing employees to leadership roles at Sonic, Arby’s and Buffalo Wild Wings. 

    By • April 13, 2023
  • An image of a sky blue Pollo Tropical restaurant
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    Courtesy of Fiesta Restaurant Group
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    Fiesta Restaurant Group makes interim CEO permanent

    Since becoming interim CEO in December, Dirk Montgomery has been working on various initiatives to improve company transactions and margins. 

    By • April 13, 2023
  • An image of a Starbucks sign
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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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 • April 13, 2023
  • Burger King gets a fresh look
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    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 • April 12, 2023
  • smoothie king logo
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    Courtesy of Smoothie King
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    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 • April 11, 2023
  • A photograph of a standalone Chipotle around dusk.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    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 • April 11, 2023
  • A photograph of a Wienerschnitzel building
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    Courtesy of Wienerschnitzel
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    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 • April 10, 2023
  • An image of a Johnny Rockets counter.
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    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 • April 7, 2023
  • McDonald's Q1 Earnings Up On Higher Menu Prices, Overseas Growth
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    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 • Updated April 7, 2023
  • An exterior image of a restaurant with glass windows and a sign that says sweetgreen.
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    Retrieved from Sweetgreen/BusinessWire on August 10, 2022
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    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 • Updated April 6, 2023
  • A picture of the leadership of Port of Subs.
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    Courtesy of Port of Subs
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    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 • April 4, 2023
  • Burger King gets a fresh look
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    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 • March 31, 2023