Incentivio lands $10M in funding to grow restaurant AI capabilities

The guest engagement platform will use the funding to accelerate growth and invest in product, engineering and innovation for small- and mid-size eateries. 

By Julie Littman • May 18, 2023

Domino’s delivery drags on strong pricing and carryout

With carryout growing, Domino’s plans to revamp its loyalty program to strengthen takeout options while creating value across channels.

By Julie Littman • April 28, 2023

Explore the 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

Chipotle’s same-store sales rise 10.9% as traffic turns positive

In-restaurant sales jumped nearly 23% year over year following efforts to boost operational efficiency, rewards and menu innovation. 

By Julie Littman • April 26, 2023

Subway boasts 11.7% same-store sales growth in North America

The sandwich chain, which has increased its focus on digital promotions in the U.S., saw a 21% uptick in Q1 digital sales for the region. 

By Julie Littman • April 24, 2023

Meridian closes 23 Burger Kings in bankruptcy

Burger King’s U.S. franchisees have closed at least 49 units this year as the brand’s turnaround efforts are restrained by macro-economic problems.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 12, 2023

Fat Brands stacks board with Wiederhorns

The restaurant company has fired all but one of its directors and replaced them with a slate of new candidates, including three of Andrew Wiederhorn's kids.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 7, 2023

Flyby secures $4M in funding to boost drone delivery

The company is partnering with several restaurant brands in a multi-week pilot of its delivery technology in Mesa, Arizona.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 5, 2023

Bankrupt Burger King franchisee sold for $33M to 4 buyers

Toms King, a 90-unit Burger King franchisee that filed for Chapter 11 protection in January, managed to sell the bulk of its stores at a Delaware auction.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 5, 2023

Port of Subs acquired by private equity firm

Area 15 Ventures looks to grow franchise sales in its portfolio, which includes Daddy’s Chicken Shack alongside Port of Subs, by 140% in 18 months.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 4, 2023

Burger King franchisee bankruptcies may signal more QSR trouble

The bankruptcy of two major Burger King operators laid bare the problems facing franchisees. But at Burger King, the worst may be over.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 31, 2023

Luckin Coffee’s ‘revenue reckoning’ takeaways

The Beijing-based chain was initially viewed as a kind of David poised to take on the Goliath of the coffee world — Starbucks — in China.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • March 23, 2023

How 5 QSR giants are tackling menu pricing, strategy

McDonald’s, Starbucks and Wendy’s took price between 6% and 10% in 2022, and experts expect prices to rise further as chains face economic headwinds. 

By Restaurant Dive Team • March 23, 2023

McDonald’s franchisee declares bankruptcy following rape lawsuit

Rice Enterprises filed for Chapter 11 protections over a year after it was sued over an alleged rape of a 14-year-old employee by a manager. 

By Julie Littman • March 20, 2023

Popeyes franchisee files for bankruptcy following founder’s death

Premier Cajun Kings marks the third franchisee within the Restaurant Brands International’s system to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this year.

By Julie Littman • March 16, 2023

Second major Burger King franchisee declares bankruptcy

Meridian Restaurants Unlimited, which operates over 115 Burger Kings in nine states, cited rising costs and decreased foot traffic as the main drivers of profitability and cash flow trouble.

By Julie Littman • March 9, 2023

Just Salad taps Goldman Sachs vet as CFO

Jared Garber joins the company during the fastest growth period in its 17-year history, and will lead the chain’s financial operations as it scales up.

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 6, 2023

Corner Bakery files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

The cafe chain’s Wednesday filing brings an end to a two-year period with few major restaurant bankruptcy announcements. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 24, 2023

Kiwibot secures $10M in financing to support growth

Through a partnership with Kineo, the delivery robotics company will use the alternative financing to support manufacturing and scale of its robotics fleet. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 22, 2023

Why 2023 isn’t the best time for restaurants to go public

Cava filed a confidential IPO earlier this month and other restaurants are rumored to go public this year, but analysts are worried about chains’ compressed margins and profitability struggles.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 21, 2023

Subway confirms it is looking to sell

The sandwich chain has enlisted JP Morgan to advise its sale exploration process, but did not offer estimates of when the sale might occur.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 14, 2023

Uber One subscription is boosting delivery spend, frequency and user loyalty for Uber Eats

Delivery made up 34% of Uber’s revenue, and ongoing investment in non-restaurant categories, like grocery, c-store and alcohol, may help growth.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 9, 2023

Uber Eats to back community development loans for Black-owned restaurants

The delivery aggregator will partner with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation to provide financing to Black restaurant owners in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 8, 2023

Cava files confidential IPO

The fast casual chain appears to be the first major restaurant chain to seek an IPO this year.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 6, 2023

McDonald’s will lean into chicken, coffee to grow diner frequency

The core menu categories pose significant growth opportunity, McDonald’s executives said Tuesday, as the chain aims to better compete with chicken-only chains and leverage coffee’s high margins. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 31, 2023

Earnings instability has led to fewer restaurant lenders

Despite institutions pulling back from offering loans to restaurants, CapitalSpring’s Erik Herrmann says there are other options.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 30, 2023