Chipotle invests in self-driving delivery company Nuro

This marks the first time the fast casual chain has significantly funded a third-party technology company since 2018 and follows recent tech acquisitions by McDonald's and Yum Brands.

By Julie Littman • March 25, 2021

Olive Garden parent to raise hourly wage to $10 and offer $17M in bonuses

Pay will then rise to $11 per hour in January 2022 and $12 per hour in January 2023, in Darden Restaurants' latest move to improve compensation since the start of the pandemic. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 25, 2021

Yum Brands acquires Tictuk to deepen commerce capabilities for social media, messaging

The owner of KFC and Taco Bell makes its second tech acquisition in a month as it looks to transform its business on a faster timetable.

By Peter Adams • March 24, 2021

Starbucks to improve sustainable coffee sourcing, reducing its largest carbon culprit

In a show of priorities, the company said it would take actions that make green coffee carbon neutral instead of tackling emissions from transportation, packaging and roasting operations.

By A.B. Brown • March 24, 2021

Domino's teams with Datatron to streamline AI and machine learning tech

The platform is automating and standardizing the deployment, monitoring, management, governance and validation of the pizza chain's artificial intelligence models. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 23, 2021

For restaurant chains, marketing virtual brands poses equal challenge and opportunity

Third-party apps, where most virtual brands live, offer marketers access to consumer data they don't otherwise have — an increasing priority as the data privacy landscape tightens.

By Chris Kelly • March 19, 2021

What Olo's $450M IPO means for the restaurant industry

Founder and CEO Noah Glass talks about how he wants to expand Olo's digital ordering capabilities with an influx of capital after shares rose 39% during day one of trading.

By Julie Littman • March 19, 2021

50% of restaurants plan to incentivize employees to get vaccinated, survey says

Even after employees are vaccinated, 75% of restaurants said they will keep their safety protocols in place, according to a report from BlackBox Intelligence.

By Alicia Kelso • March 18, 2021

Cava flipping Zoës Kitchen locations to support suburban growth

Seven Zoës have been converted and another 12 are in the works for this year in a mix of urban and suburban markets, a Cava spokesperson said.

By Alicia Kelso • March 17, 2021

British QSR Leon shutters US locations

The company managed to keep only one American location open over the past 12 months, with volume down 85%, Leon USA president Glenn Edwards said. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 17, 2021

Torchy's Tacos eyeing IPO, Bloomberg reports

The fast casual chain, which added 12 new units in 2020, could raise $300 million and debut with a $1 billion valuation, per the publication. 

By Julie Littman • March 15, 2021

Burger King hires Domino's exec as COO

Tom Curtis, who has worked at the pizza chain for 35 years, will join the QSR in May in the midst of Burger King's ongoing drive-thru modernization and expansion of its loyalty program. 

By Julie Littman • March 12, 2021

Newly public BurgerFi adds CFO

After debuting on the stock market in December 2020, the fast casual chain tapped Michael Rabinovitch, a 25-year finance veteran.

By Jane Thier • March 8, 2021

Uber Eats' US and Canada head leaves after 6 months

Sarfraz Maredia, current leader of Uber's rides division in the U.S. and Canada, will take on the position vacated by Stephane Ficaja. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 8, 2021

Domino's, Papa John's sales soar on pandemic delivery demand, but complications loom

Both chains reported double-digit same-store sales growth last year, but delivery aggregators' growing market share could complicate strategies when pizza sales return to normal levels.

By Julie Littman • March 4, 2021

Chipotle will tie 10% of executive incentives to environmental, diversity goals

The company aims to source 37 million pounds of organic, locally grown produce this year and promote more women and people of color above the restaurant level.  

By Julie Littman • Updated March 4, 2021

Wendy's expects to reach 8K units globally by 2025

With a growing emphasis on nontraditional locations like drive-thru only units and dark kitchens, the QSR expects to open 250 stores globally in 2021. 

By Julie Littman • March 4, 2021

Chipotle to settle 2017 overtime dispute with $15M payout

Plaintiffs alleged Chipotle switched employees who were eligible for overtime back to "exempt" status while an injunction related to the The Fair Labor Standards Act, which expanded overtime rules, was in place.

By Alicia Kelso • March 3, 2021

McDonald's CEO calls for updates to workplace safety policy

Tasking four of the company's top leaders with updating its brand standards on the issue, and taking employee and franchisee feedback into account, could help further address the chain's culture issues. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 2, 2021

Shake Shack borrows $225M to support expansion plans

The funding will be used to aid opening additional units, new store formats and drive-thrus, as well as improvements to the digital guest experience and further investments in talent development. 

By Julie Littman • March 2, 2021

Yum Brands buys Kvantum's AI business to 'fast-track' data-driven marketing

The owner of KFC and Taco Bell will combine Kvantum's machine learning tech with culture-based insights from Collider Lab, a consultancy it acquired in 2015.

By Peter Adams • March 2, 2021

McDonald's, Yum Brands sign global partnerships with Beyond Meat

The word "exclusive" doesn't appear in either announcement, which could mean the door is open for other plant-based partnerships as the chains ramp up their offerings in the category.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 26, 2021

Packaging manufacturers compete for raw materials as takeout shakes up foodservice

There has been "an increased use of tamper-evident and tamper-resistant packaging, designed to protect food and beverage when it’s on the go," said Natha Dempsey, president of the Foodservice Packaging Institute.

By Jen A. Miller • Feb. 26, 2021

Hooters’ fast casual chain Hoots Wings signs first franchise deal

Hoots Wings plans to open 60 franchised locations through its new agreement with Dallas-based AE Restaurant Group. 

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 25, 2021

Cracker Barrel to test virtual chicken and biscuits brand as off-premise grows 78%

The company has been operating its ghost kitchen facility in Indianapolis since the fall and plans to launch the concept from the location this week. 

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 24, 2021