Corporate Operations: Page 2
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McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski to become board chair
After eight years as chair and 28 years on McDonald’s board, Enrique Hernandez will retire at the chain’s annual shareholder meeting later this year.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 19, 2024 -
Presto lays off 18% of staff 4 months after most recent cuts
Following a pivot away from its tablet business to drive-thru artificial intelligence, the company eliminated 24 corporate roles.
By Julie Littman • March 19, 2024 -
Starbucks adds regional CEOs, eliminates CMO post
The chain added CEOs for its North America and international divisions to give those regions more autonomy as it pursues its ambitious reinvention plan.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 19, 2024 -
Krystal opening new c-store design with Circle K in North Carolina
The latest prototype, which is expected to open this fall, features improved diner accessibility and operations flow between the restaurant and its c-store host.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 13, 2024 -
Subway franchisees pay $218K for allegedly pocketing employees’ tips
A DOL investigation found managers and owners illegally participated in employee tip pools and manually adjusted hours to avoid paying overtime.
By Ginger Christ • March 8, 2024 -
Presto Automation is risking its business on drive-thru voice AI
The tech firm wants to spin off its tablet payment business, which generates roughly 90% of its revenue and is losing major clients, to focus on its fledgling drive-thru voice automation tool.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 7, 2024 -
First Watch will enter New England, Las Vegas as EBITDA nears $100M
After passing $1 billion in sales, the breakfast chain is eyeing new markets where its suburban-first system could insulate it from high development costs.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 6, 2024 -
Golden Corral faces class-action suit over 2023 data breach
If recent years have made anything clear to HR, it’s that employer databases are prime targets for cybercrime.
By Ryan Golden • March 4, 2024 -
DoorDash shifts pay scheme, cuts flexibility in New York City
DoorDash says its fees in The Big Apple have driven down delivery sales, but the city says data from delivery firms shows steady sales.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated March 5, 2024 -
Dine Brands hints at US IHOP/Applebee’s dual branding test
Such units, which have driven strong sales abroad, may offer a solution to Applebee’s weak domestic same-store sales and shrinking footprint.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 29, 2024 -
Wendy’s promotes CTO to CIO role
As CTO, Matt Spessard led the rollout of Google Vertex AI chatbot capabilities into the drive-thru experience. As CIO, he’ll expand the pilot program.
By Matt Ashare • Feb. 28, 2024 -
Wendy’s backtracks on dynamic pricing
The company said Tuesday that it would not charge higher prices during peak hours. This statement follows widespread consumer backlash on social media in response to mention of a dynamic pricing test in its Q4 earnings call.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 28, 2024 -
Cava plots ‘3.0’ store design as Q4 revenue soars 52%
The Mediterranean chain wants to make its restaurants more comfortable and inviting for customers, most of whom order in-store, to bolster sales.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 28, 2024 -
Starbucks unionization efforts
Starbucks, union take first steps toward detente
The entities have agreed on a "path forward" to resolve litigation between the coffee chain and labor group and, eventually, reach a contract.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 27, 2024 -
Starbucks adds 3 new 2030 sustainability goals for packaging
The coffee chain named new targets covering recycled content and other metrics for customer-facing packaging in its recent ESG report. But it lost ground on emissions reduction and waste diversion.
By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 27, 2024 -
Los Angeles County sues Grubhub over ‘bait and switch’ fees
The county calls for an injunction against alleged deceptive business practices and for Grubhub to pay fines for possible violations of California’s unfair competition and false advertising laws.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 23, 2024 -
Bloomin’ to shutter 41 underperforming restaurants
Closures will impact mostly older restaurants with leases dating back to the '90s and 2000s, and were determined through a periodic review of the company’s assets.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 23, 2024 -
Starbucks unionization efforts
Starbucks union’s student allies stage national day of action against chain
Demonstrations are slated at 25 major public and private universities Thursday in a bid to push administrators to break ties with the company, or declare solidarity with Starbucks Workers United.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Feb. 22, 2024 -
Mountain Mike’s Pizza appoints longtime COO as CEO
Jim Metevier, who has overseen the pizza brand's operations since 2018, will lead the chain as it looks to grow beyond its West Coast base.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 22, 2024 -
Denny’s is still shrinking
The chain's system has contracted 9% since 2017, and may shrink again in 2024 as the company forecasts comparable sales growth between 0% and 3%.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 21, 2024 -
Focus Brands renames itself GoTo Foods
The name change is designed to highlight the value its brand portfolio, including Moe’s Southwest Grill, Auntie Anne’s, Carvel and Cinnabon, offers to consumers and franchisees.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 20, 2024 -
Starbucks opens first fully accessible store in DC
The chain will begin adding inclusive design elements, like wide pedestrian pathways and power doors, to all new builds and remodels in the U.S.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 20, 2024 -
Restaurant Brands International targets 40K stores globally by 2028
The Burger King and Tim Hortons owner plans to grow its global footprint by 9,000 stores by 2028, driven by international development and strengthened home-market performance.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 16, 2024 -
Whataburger hires CMO
Scott Hudler joins the chain effective Feb. 21 and has significant experience leading restaurant marketing at Torchy’s Tacos and Dunkin’.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 15, 2024 -
Wendy’s to spend $55M on breakfast ads
The burger chain hopes the marketing push will boost North American sales in the daypart to $6,000 a week per restaurant.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 15, 2024