Corporate Operations: Page 18

  • One of P.F. Chang's flagship locations.
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    Courtesy of P.F. Chang's
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    P.F. Chang’s adds subscription tier to loyalty program

    The monthly $6.99 service, which offers rewards and unlimited delivery, is one of few such programs among casual chains, CEO Damola Adamolekun said.

    By • Sept. 28, 2022
  • Taco Bell and TerraCycle are expanding a sauce packet recycling program to accept all brands of condiment packets.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell expands sauce packet recycling partnership

    The recycling program with TerraCycle now accepts all brands of sauce packets, which consumers can ship to the waste management firm for free.

    By • Sept. 26, 2022
  • Livestock cows in New Zealand
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    Permission granted by Silver Fern Farms
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    Report: Beef prices to rise 15% in 2023, poultry costs will fall

    Poultry prices are expected to ease substantially next year, benefiting chicken-heavy brands like Wingstop and Chipotle, according to a BTIG report.

    By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 22, 2022
  • An image of a building with the words Marco's Pizza on the side.
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    Retrieved from PRNewswire on September 20, 2022
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    Marco’s Pizza appoints Jersey Mike’s vet as chief development officer

    Gerardo Flores, who has over 20 years restaurant and real estate experience, will lead the chain’s push to reach 1,500 units by 2023. 

    By • Sept. 21, 2022
  • Hands put hot sauce on a large Taco Bell quesadilla made with chunks of plant-based Beyond Carne Asada.
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    Courtesy of Beyond Meat and Taco Bell
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    Beyond Meat and Taco Bell to test plant-based steak option

    Beyond Carne Asada, created in partnership with Yum Brands, will be sold at select Dayton, Ohio-area restaurants next month at the same price as meat.

    By Megan Poinski • Sept. 21, 2022
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    PRNewswire/Modern Restaurant Concepts
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    Modern Market signs 41-unit deal with first franchisee

    The fast casual company has partnered with Thrive Restaurant Group, which operates 100 restaurants including Applebee’s, to expand into 11 new markets.

    By • Sept. 20, 2022
  • A man and a woman set against blank background.
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    Permission granted by Mod Pizza
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    Mod Pizza hires Panera vet as first chief development officer

    Stephen Blum will lead store development in this new role, and Becky Mulligan has been promoted to the new position of chief restaurant officer to oversee franchised and company-owned stores. 

    By • Sept. 20, 2022
  • The image shows a row of drinks, including coffee and soda, available through Panera's Unlimited Sip Club
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    Courtesy of Panera
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    Panera will allow loyalty customers to choose rewards

    MyPanera members, who already receive perks based on frequency of visits, spend and preferences, will have multiple options to redeem instead of pre-selected rewards. 

    By • Sept. 20, 2022
  • Wingstop added thighs to its menu in September following the launch of its virtual brand Thighstop.
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    Courtesy of Wingstop
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    Wingstop names Little Caesar’s alum SVP of US development

    Craig Sherwood will focus on growing the chain’s footprint through new and current franchisees as it aims to reach 4,000 units in the U.S.

    By • Sept. 19, 2022
  • An image of a curly haired woman amid a gray background.
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    Permission granted by Bloomin' Brands
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    Bloomin’ hires HR vet as chief human resources officer

    Suzann Trevisan brings over 27 years of experience in human resources to her role at the company, which has faced labor cost growth. 

    By • Sept. 19, 2022
  • First Watch restaurant
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    Permission granted by First Watch
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    First Watch launches a secondary IPO

    The move comes weeks after Portillo’s announced a secondary offering, and may signal increasing confidence in the market after a slow IPO year.

    By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 14, 2022
  • A Starbucks Store
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    The 4 biggest takeaways from Starbucks’ Investor Day

    The coffee chain laid out plans to target loyalty growth, labor efficiency and international openings, with a goal of reaching 45,000 stores by 2025.

    By • Sept. 14, 2022
  • A McDonald's store is shown in Houston, Texas.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s strikes 15-year solar energy deal

    The partnership with EDF Renewables is expected to meet the electricity consumption of over 1,200 McDonald’s restaurants. 

    By • Sept. 14, 2022
  • An image of a redesigned Starbucks line.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks, Joshua Trujillo
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    Starbucks debuts kitchen system to boost speed while keeping customization

    In a demonstration during the the chain’s Investor Day, a barista could make a mocha frappuccino almost 50 seconds faster than with Starbucks’ old model. 

    By • Sept. 14, 2022
  • Starbucks workers on strike outside a Seattle Starbucks in June 2022.
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    Christopher Doering/Restaurant Dive
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Starbucks expands non-union benefits with savings, student loan repayment tools

    Starbucks maintains its position that it can’t legally extend benefits to unionized stores without bargaining on a store-by-store level, but the union claims these perks are meant to quash organizing. 

    By • Sept. 13, 2022
  • Burger King gets a fresh look
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    RBI announces $400M marketing and remodel overhaul for Burger King

    The company’s programs, Fuel the Flame and Royal Reset, aim to modernize the brand and remodel 800 restaurants by the end of 2025.

    By • Sept. 12, 2022
  • John Kelly is the incoming chief company restaurant office at Inspire Brands.
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    Permission granted by Inspire Brands
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    Inspire Brands adds chief company restaurant officer, two brand COOs

    These appointments coincide with Inspire’s turn toward nontraditional growth, including digital-only stores, ghost kitchens and modular construction. 

    By • Sept. 9, 2022
  • Brian Wright CEO of Bar Louie
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    Permission granted by Bar Louie
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    Bar Louie taps Tijuana Flats chief as CEO

    Brian Wright’s experience leading a three-year growth push at Tijuana Flats could improve Bar Louie’s expansion, profitability and diner experience. 

    By • Sept. 8, 2022
  • Au Bon Pain interior rendering
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    Courtesy of Au Bon Pain
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    Au Bon Pain to roll out modernized store design companywide in 2023

    The chain’s cafes will feature a self-serve bakery and to-go areas to add efficiencies for off-premise customers.

    By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 7, 2022
  • An image of a woman standing in front of a blue background.
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    Permission granted by Bojangles
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    Bojangles brings on Subway vet as VP of growth

    Patricia Halpin, who has over 20 years of restaurant experience, joins the chain as it signs large deals with new and existing franchisees. 

    By • Sept. 2, 2022
  • The Starbucks logo hangs outside one of the company's cafes in Northwich on 3 July, 2008 in Northwich, England.
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    Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
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    Starbucks names restaurant outsider as CEO

    Laxman Narasimhan, who served as CEO at consumer health company Reckitt, will assume the top role in April and work alongside interim CEO Howard Schultz during the transition.

    By , • Updated Sept. 1, 2022
  • An image of a white and red restaurant with Krystal on the signage
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    Permission granted by Krystal
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    Krystal’s prototypes spark new life for once-bankrupt brand

    Two years after a new owner bought Krystal out of Chapter 11, the brand plans to scale to 500 restaurants by 2027.

    By • Sept. 1, 2022
  • McDonald's Black & Positively Golden Change Leaders
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s launches new program to support Black community leaders

    The chain will select 10 applicants to receive financial resources and advertising support for their community-driven missions. 

    By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 29, 2022
  • An image of a beef sandwich, fries and a drink with Portillo's branding on it
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    Permission granted by Portillo's
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    Portillo’s taps Cracker Barrel exec as chief development officer

    Mike Ellis will be an instrumental part of the company’s growth strategy as it aims to reach 600 units within the next decade.

    By • Aug. 29, 2022
  • Panera new store design
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    Courtesy of Panera
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    Panera tests drive-thru AI

    The chain is working with OpenCity to deploy AI technology to two cafes in upstate New York with the goal of 5% to 10% faster service times.

    By • Aug. 29, 2022