How Fogo de Chao, STK balance off-premise with experience

The challenge for both brands was developing solutions that would be robust enough to withstand the pandemic environment without compromising the reason diners visit them in the first place: experience. 

By Emma Liem Beckett , Julie Littman • Jan. 19, 2021

McDonald's is navigating 3 new sexual harassment lawsuits

The cases include allegations of sexual assault and quid-pro-quo harassment. The women claim they were ignored, mocked and retaliated against when they complained. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 15, 2021

Explore the 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

Why Chipotle is still hiring while other restaurants shutter

Chipotle has hired thousands during the pandemic thanks to digital growth and a focus on employee benefits, promotions and inclusion.

By Sheryl Estrada • Jan. 15, 2021

White Castle revamps Valentine's Day event with drive-in, carhop service

Fans of the burger chain can book time for a socially distanced date through the OpenTable website or app.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 13, 2021

Fiesta Restaurant Group takes out $75M loan

The addition of the new loan and a reduction of its debt since March will allow the company to exit the economic crisis poised for growth. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 13, 2021

Chipotle aims to fill 15K new positions during national hiring event

The company's "Coast to Coast Career Day" will be held on Jan. 14 and comes as the company plans to open 200 restaurants in the future. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 11, 2021

Checkers & Rally's parent lands $20M in private equity funding

The capital injection from Oak Hill Capital Partners will fuel the chain's five-year expansion plans, which includes 72 new restaurants in its development pipeline.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 11, 2021

NPC International agrees to $801M sale of its Wendy's, Pizza Hut assets

Flynn Restaurant Group will acquire all of NPC's 900-plus Pizza Hut units and half of its 393 Wendy's units, while a consortium of Wendy's franchisees buys the other half. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 7, 2021

Starbucks taps new CFO as Grismer plans to retire

Rachel Ruggeri, senior vice president of finance for Starbucks Americas, will succeed Patrick Grismer, effective Feb. 1. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 7, 2021

Burger King prioritizes digital with first rebrand in more than 20 years

With its all-encompassing visual update, the QSR chain also seeks to demonstrate its improvements to food quality and sustainability.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 7, 2021

Del Taco bulks up off-premise channels with new prototype

The design can be adapted to fit within 1,200 to 2,400 square feet, which will expand site selection options outside of the QSR chain's traditional freestanding drive-thru model.  

By Julie Littman • Jan. 6, 2021

McDonald's stirs up chicken sandwich wars with 3 new entries

The sandwiches fulfill franchisees' demand for competitive new chicken offerings to better compete with Chick-fil-A, which the National Owners Association listed as a top priority in 2019. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 5, 2021

How Sonic Drive-In swapped its iconic pitchmen for a 'pandemic-proof' campaign

Chief marketing officer Lori Abou Habib explains how the QSR shifted its focus from its long-running "Two Guys" to real families — right before COVID-19 upended the year.

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 23, 2020

McDonald’s USA president wants to improve transparency with operators

Joe Erlinger's message comes as tensions over 2021 franchising fees reach a boiling point, with operators agreeing to cut off nonessential communication with corporate and pushing for the formation of a tech co-op. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 23, 2020

Chipotle won't mandate employees to get the coronavirus vaccine

CEO Brian Niccol also told CNBC the company will pay for costs associated with the vaccine and will strongly encourage employees to get it. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 23, 2020

Punch Bowl Social declares bankruptcy after nightmare year for eatertainment

As of Dec. 8, the company was only operating three out of its 14 units with limited capacity. The open venues were losing money on a daily basis and the company has since closed them. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 22, 2020

McDonald’s franchisees calls for tech co-op amid new fees, Restaurant Business reports

The National Owners Association's latest push follows news of a $423-per-month technology investment cost added to operators' plates to cover a $70 million "lag" from the old payment structure.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 22, 2020

Burger King sends customers $1 via Venmo to push new value menu

The $1 Your Way menu features a lineup of Burger King items all priced at $1, including the brand's take on the bacon cheeseburger and its Chicken Jr. sandwich.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 22, 2020

Papa John's to give employees $2.5M in end-of-year bonuses

The additional pay will be awarded to 14,000 team members across the company’s corporate restaurants and supply chain.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Julie Littman • Dec. 22, 2020

Jack in the Box latest restaurant chain to name new CFO

Timothy Mullany will be filling the role after a six-month search, following a string of CFO departures at Cracker Barrel, Taco Bell and Papa John's. 

By Jane Thier • Dec. 21, 2020

Emerging from bankruptcy, California Pizza Kitchen hires new CFO

Judd Tirnauer will lead CPK's financial restructuring strategy, focus on growth opportunities, and oversee the accounting and finance teams.

By Jane Thier • Dec. 17, 2020

Luby's sells 13 Fuddruckers locations to franchisee

The agreement with Black Titan Holdings is part of Luby's plan to sell its assets and liquidate and dissolve Luby's, Inc. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 17, 2020

Luckin Coffee hit with $180M SEC fine

The company misstated earnings and revenue to suggest it was achieving rapid growth and increased profitability when it wasn't, the Securities and Exchange Commission says in its settlement agreement. 

By Robert Freedman , Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 17, 2020

Sweetgreen will open its first drive-thru in 2021

The test location will feature dedicated parking spots where diners can order from intercoms. Customers who want to eat on-premise can dine in their cars or at an outdoor patio area. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 17, 2020

McDonald’s USA president calls for end of corporate communication freeze, Restaurant Business reports

Joe Erlinger called on franchisees in a video Thursday to end a six-week halt in nonessential communication with corporate, which was incited by frustration over new fees and the end of a Happy Meal subsidy. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Jan. 22, 2021