Finances and Deals

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    iStock | linzyslusher

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    Sponsored by Givex

    Customer retention relies on what you bring to the table

    Serve up the best strategy for loyalty: Bring guests back with a tailored loyalty program.

    Nov. 11, 2024
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    Clayton Chase via Getty Images
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    Buca di Beppo to be sold to stalking horse bidder for $27M

    Main Street Capital Corporation originally provided the chain a loan of $47 million in 2015 and will buy it out of bankruptcy. 

    By • Nov. 6, 2024
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    VioletaStoimenova via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Restaurant Financing

    With ongoing macroeconomic pressures facing restaurants, operators are entering into alternative financing, mergers and acquisitions and even bankruptcy to sustain their businesses. 

    By Restaurant Dive staff
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    Boogich via Getty Images
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    Why TGI Fridays filed for bankruptcy

    The casual chain’s fortunes soured this year as scores of stores shut and bondholders took control of its assets, ending a proposed merger.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Chipotle remains focused on core strategy, efficiency improvements, interim CEO says

    Under Scott Boatwright, Chipotle aims to follow a steady course and carry out key initiatives like adding expediters and back-of-house equipment to boost throughput.

    By • Oct. 30, 2024
  • An image of a sign that says $5 Meal Deal on a window of a McDonald's
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s US comp sales turn positive in Q3

    The fast food giant gained traffic with the help of its $5 Meal Deal and expects to release a holistic value platform in early 2025.

    By • Oct. 29, 2024
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    Roman Tiraspolsky via Getty Images
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    TGI Fridays has closed 60 stores since September

    The casual dining chain, which may be considering bankruptcy after a failed merger, has closed roughly 100 stores since January. 

    By • Oct. 28, 2024
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    M.O. Stevens. (2009). Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
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    Shari’s closes remaining Oregon restaurants

    The casual chain, which had 42 locations in the state at the beginning of this year and has faced financial difficulties, has an estimated 17 locations left in the Northwest.

    By • Oct. 22, 2024
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    Courtesy of Dickey's Barbecue Pit
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    Dickey’s franchisees sue company over inflated financial projections

    Franchisees from Idaho and Ohio say that buildout costs were higher and sales lower than what the barbecue chain initially stated.

    By • Oct. 18, 2024
  • An image of a bowl with meat and other vegetables. A cookie is next to the bowl as is a plastic fork and pink drink.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle makes minority investment in Mediterranean fast casual concept

    As part of its Cultivate Next venture fund, Chipotle invested in six-unit Brassica as well as artificial intelligence supply chain platform Lumachain.

    By • Oct. 15, 2024
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    7-Eleven shuttering 444 North American stores amid strategic pivot

    The retailer also aims to generate $520 million through sale-leasebacks of an undisclosed number of stores as its parent company slashes its profit forecast and spins off non-core segments.

    By Brett Dworski • Oct. 10, 2024
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    Andrew Burton via Getty Images
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    Applebee’s franchisee files for bankruptcy after creditor lawsuit

    Louisiana Apple’s major creditor, City National Bank of Florida, claimed the operator and the brand transferred control of its restaurants in a breach of credit agreements. 

    By • Oct. 9, 2024
  • Grubbrr's kiosks on display at the National Restaurant Association Show in 2024.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    9 restaurant industry trade shows to attend in 2025

    The coming year is brimming with restaurant conferences and trade shows covering key issues for the business sector, from franchising strategy to economic forecasts.

    By Restaurant Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2024
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    Courtesy of Presto Automation
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    Presto Automation puts itself up for sale

    The tech firm, which was delisted from the Nasdaq earlier this year, does not anticipate changes to its operations as a result of a sale.

    By • Sept. 24, 2024
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    Permission granted by BurgerFi
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    BurgerFi secures funds to operate through bankruptcy

    A court approved $3.5 million in funding from TREW Capital Management, giving the burger brand sufficient cash to operate without closing stores.

    By • Sept. 17, 2024
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    Permission granted by MOD Pizza
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    Mod Pizza will refranchise corporate stores

    The pizza chain’s new owner, Elite Restaurant Group, is undertaking a comprehensive refranchising effort at the largely company-operated brand.

    By • Sept. 13, 2024
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    Permission granted by BurgerFi
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    BurgerFi declares bankruptcy

    The company has struggled with same-store sales declines and net losses for several quarters, mirroring the problems of recent Chapter 11 filings for Red Lobster and Buca di Beppo.

    By , • Updated Sept. 11, 2024
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    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
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    TGI Fridays acquisition falls through, bondholders seize assets

    Hostmore still wants to sell its restaurants after the U.K. franchisee’s acquisition plan was torpedoed by the casual dining brand's manager termination event.

    By • Sept. 9, 2024
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    Permission granted by Modern Market Eatery
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    Thrive Restaurant Group buys Modern Market Eatery

    Thrive previously committed to opening 41 units as Modern Market’s largest franchisee, but felt that buying the brand was a natural next step in its growth.

    By • Sept. 6, 2024
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Court approves Red Lobster’s restructuring, buyout plan

    The seafood chain will emerge from bankruptcy with P.F. Chang’s former CEO at the helm and $60 million in new funding.

    By • Sept. 6, 2024
  • An evening photo of Topfgolf with backlit lights and a white sign that says Topgolf.
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    Courtesy of Topgolf
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    Topgolf will be spun off by its parent company

    Management pursued a full strategic review of Topgolf following disappointing same-venue sales, and determined separate companies would enhance strategic focus.

    By • Sept. 5, 2024
  • An image of a Playa Bowls with a table and stools. There is a ping pong table in the background and a wall with an anchor that says East Brunswick.
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    The image by SeichanGant is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Playa Bowls acquired by Sycamore Partners

    Under previous owner Tamarix, the fruit bowl chain added over 150 locations. It expects to speed up growth under its new owner.

    By • Sept. 4, 2024
  • A photograph of a black sign that says "Starbucks Coffee Company" in front of a brick building.
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    David Ryder via Getty Images
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    Investor sues Starbucks, alleging ‘false and misleading statements’

    The shareholder claims the company provided false information about its overall performance and growth potential outside of the U.S. Starbucks said the allegations are without merit.  

    By • Aug. 30, 2024
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    Courtesy of Roti
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    Roti becomes the latest fast casual brand to file for Chapter 11

    The 19-unit brand cited the end of its rent deferral agreements as a contributing factor in seeking bankruptcy protection.

    By • Aug. 27, 2024
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    Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
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    Suit alleges Boston Market owner Jay Pandya looted Corner Bakery Cafe

    Corner Bakery’s new owner, SSCP Restaurant Investors, say Pandya bled the brand dry through cash transfers to his management firm. 

    By • Aug. 21, 2024
  • A person wearing a white shirt holds a bat while a green ball floats in the air. There is a projection screen on the right with a baseball field.
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    Permission granted by Home Run Dugout/Courtesy of Alex Montoya
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    Home Run Dugout secures $22.5M, plans expansion

    The baseball-centric entertainment concept already plans to open a location in San Antonio, Texas, and Scottsdale, Arizona.

    By • Aug. 20, 2024