Bloomin' Brands comes under activist investor pressure

Barington Capital Group is calling for the company to shed its smaller restaurant companies so that Outback Steakhouse can operate independently. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 23, 2018

How Chick-fil-A is perfecting its recipe for service and support

Technology is as crucial as those two pickles on every chicken sandwich. 

By Samantha Schwartz • Oct. 23, 2018

Lessons from Taylor Gourmet: How to go national without going under

The hoagie chain's sudden closure in September is the latest example of how expensive real estate, stiff competition and a too-fast expansion rate can take down a restaurant. 

By Jacqueline Renfrow • Oct. 22, 2018

All but 2 burger chains fail antibiotics report card

Only Shake Shack and BurgerFi earned As on Chain Reaction's fourth annual antibiotic report, followed by Wendy's with a whopping D-.

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 18, 2018

Burger King concocts Halloween sandwich that's 'clinically proven' to create nightmares

The brand conducted a sleep study to prove the Nightmare King stirs up bad dreams, and captured the research in found footage-style video. 

By Erica Sweeney • Oct. 18, 2018

Del Taco bets delivery, fresh-focused menu will drive sales

The chain's Q3 revenue was dragged down by food cost inflation and minimum wage hikes, but it hopes nationwide delivery through Grubhub, Postmates and DoorDash will get it back on track. 

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 17, 2018

Shake Shack to open 30 restaurants in Mexico

The trendy burger chain continues to buck traditional fast food strategy with its focus on international growth before domestic expansion. 

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 17, 2018

All tapped out? Global warming could impact world beer supply

A new study found that drought and heat could hurt barley crops enough to spike beer prices and decrease supply by the end of the century. 

By Lillianna Byington • Oct. 17, 2018

Majority of diners will pay more for sustainable packaging

Forty-five percent of Americans consider sustainability when choosing a fast food outlet, but only 31% said those businesses clearly label items with proper disposal instructions, according to a study.

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 16, 2018

Uber Eats continues to grow virtual restaurants business

These "ghost" operations use the brick-and-mortar kitchens of existing restaurants to cook food and fill gaps in the market, and their menus are only available through the delivery service's app.

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 16, 2018

Pilotworks shuts down overnight

With no warning or explanation, the much-celebrated commercial kitchen and distributer closed its doors, leaving 175 restaurant startups in the lurch. 

By Jessi Devenyns • Oct. 16, 2018

Domino's US same-store sales slip, but earnings top expectations

The chain continues to look abroad for growth, announcing international same-store sales gains of 3.3% and opening 173 new restaurants during the period. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 16, 2018

Sonic's $4.3M settlement highlights data breach challenges

The case shows consumers are fighting back against cyberattacks, which could spell trouble for chains like Panera, Wendy's and Chipotle, which have all recently been compromised.

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 15, 2018

Pizza Hut taps new international chief

The Yum Brands company will promote Vipul Chawla, currently managing director of the pizza chain's Asia-Pacific region, to the role as it lags behind Domino's and looks for growth in Latin America. 

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 15, 2018

As Square's CFO departs, the restaurant payments race could heat up

Sarah Friar, who has served as the chief financial officer of electronics payments company since 2012, was a strategic driver of the company's push into restaurants and omnichannel.  

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 12, 2018

Subway brings delivery to more than 9,000 locations

The sandwich chain is teaming with Postmates, Uber Eats, DoorDash and Grubhub as consumer demand for off-premises eating occasions grows and sales slide. 

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 12, 2018

Will activist investor's $900M stake fix Starbucks' lackluster sales?

Bill Ackman and his Pershing Square Capital Management hedge fund's investment in the coffee chain reflects optimism about the company’s store growth prospects, particularly in China.

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 11, 2018

McDonald's franchisees may form a private association

Frustrated by stagnant sales and tight cash flows, operators met on Wednesday in Tampa, Florida, to discuss forming an independent organization — which could mean a rocky road ahead for the chain. 

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 11, 2018

Starbucks beefs up its benefits with subsidized child and senior care

The coffee chain has partnered with Care@Work to offer workers 10 days of backup childcare at $1 per hour for at-home care, as well as access to long-term care planning for aging family members. 

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 10, 2018

Starbucks hires Hyatt, Yum Brands vet as CFO

Patrick Grismer joins the coffee giant in the midst of corporate layoffs and executive restructuring, and could help the chain's expansion push in emerging markets. 

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 9, 2018

Zöe's Kitchen slapped with class-action suit ahead of Cava merger

The lawsuit claims the chain provided "incomplete and misleading" information regarding the deal, which will create the largest restaurant company in the Mediterranean category.   

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 8, 2018

MOD Pizza taps Johnny Rockets, Panera vet as COO

John Maguire joins the fast-growing chain as it focuses heavily on expansion and growth, with plans to open about 100 restaurants in 2018.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 8, 2018

Chipotle's head of food safety to step down next year

Word of James Marsden's retirement comes just a few months after the chain's largest foodborne illness outbreak to date.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 5, 2018

Activist investor takes stake in Papa John's

Legion Partners Asset Management and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System have teamed up to acquire a 5.5% stake of the pizza chain, and have met with company leaders to create a turnaround plan. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 3, 2018

TGI Fridays snags Ruby Tuesday CEO

Ray Blanchette takes the helm of the fast-casual chain in the midst of its brand overhaul, which includes ramping up its bar offerings and experimenting with alcohol delivery.

By Jacqueline Renfrow • Oct. 3, 2018