FAT Brands acquires Elevation Burger for $10M

With this latest transaction, FAT Brands grows to over 400 restaurants and annual systemwide sales of more than $400 million.

By Julie Littman • June 20, 2019

Activist investor wants to remove five Red Robin directors

Vintage Capital wants the casual dining chain to call a special investors meeting where the shareholder would propose to remove five directors from the board. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated June 19, 2019

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

Sweetgreen buys meal delivery company in first-ever acquisition

The deal with Washington, D.C.-based Galley Foods will give the salad chain access to new logistics technology, production capacity and "unparalleled insight into delivery," sweetgreen CEO Jonathan Neman said. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 11, 2019

Perkins & Marie Callender's declares bankruptcy, will sell Perkins business

The casual dining firm entered into an asset purchase agreement with Perkins Group, a newly formed entity, for the sale of its Perkins' and Foxtail bakery businesses. Marie Callender's is still in talks with potential buyers and investors.

By Julie Littman • Updated Aug. 5, 2019

Pei Wei acquired by private equity firm

Centerbridge Partners sold the Asian fast-casual concept to PWD Acquisition for an undisclosed amount, just a few months after offloading sister brand P.F. Chang's.

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 5, 2019

Whataburger sells majority stake to private equity firm

The family-owned burger chain, which is reportedly worth more than $6 billion, has sold a majority stake to BDT Capital while the Dobson family will retain minority ownership.

By Lauren Manning • Updated June 14, 2019

Jack in the Box is no longer exploring sale

The company is instead planning to implement a new capital structure that is expected to drive shareholder value. 

By Julie Littman • May 16, 2019

Resy acquired by American Express

The credit card company's acquisition is part of an ongoing strategy to expand its digital-first benefits and services to its more than 100 million card members, and could help Resy better compete with OpenTable. 

By Julie Littman • May 15, 2019

Booking Holdings acquires guest management platform Venga

The move lets OpenTable's restaurant clients create comprehensive diner profiles that include eating preferences and spend and order history. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 6, 2019

Just Eat buys POS system Practi to lock down restaurant loyalty

The $8.7 million acquisition of the firm, which services independent restaurants and small chains, could strengthen Just Eat's restaurant portfolio.

By Alicia Kelso • April 17, 2019

Papa Murphy's acquired by MTY Food Group for $190M

The sale will give the take-and-bake pizza chain new capital investments that could help top line sales growth and increase franchisee profitability.

By Julie Littman • April 11, 2019

J. Alexander's strikes deal with activist investor

As part of the agreement with Ancora Advisors, the restaurant has appointed an additional board member, echoing similar agreements made by Red Robin and Bloomin' Brands with activist investors.

By Lauren Manning • Updated April 21, 2020

Chuck E. Cheese plans to go public after merger

The merger between Leo Holdings and Queso could position the chain to purchase other family concepts, CEC Entertainment CEO Tom Leverton hinted during a webcast. 

By Julie Littman • April 8, 2019

ezCater acquires Monkey Group, growing its catering platform capabilities

The deal brings together two top catering tech firms, creating a more robust tool to support the growing off-premise segment. 

By Julie Littman • March 27, 2019

McDonald's buys Dynamic Yield for $300M to improve drive-thru experience

The new technology will be used to roll out digital menu boards that can change depending on the weather, time of day and existing restaurant traffic, providing more personalization at the drive-thru. 

By Julie Littman • March 26, 2019

Del Frisco's forges ahead on expansion plans despite significant traffic declines

The restaurant group plans to add 11 new bartaco locations by the end of 2020, and CEO Norman Abdallah is hopeful the brand's performance will boost Double Eagle and Del Frisco's Grille's business.

By Alicia Kelso • March 14, 2019

What JAB Holding's IPO plans mean for Starbucks

The company wants to take its Acorn coffee and beverages business, which includes Peet's Coffee and Stumptown Roasters, public in the next two years. 

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 26, 2019

Cheesecake Factory debuts Asian fast casual concept

The chain is pausing development on its RockSugar and Grand Lux Cafe concepts to focus on newly launched Social Monk, which marks the company's first venture outside casual dining.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 25, 2019

Lemonade and Modern Market Eatery form new restaurant group

The better-for-you chains will continue to operate independently under Modern Restaurant Concepts, a move that could help the brands scale their footprints. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 21, 2019

BJ's partners with DoorDash for 'Super Sick Monday'

The free delivery and video campaign was inspired by the 14 million people who reportedly call in sick to work the Monday after the Super Bowl.

By Erica Sweeney • Feb. 1, 2019

Just Eat buys software startup Flyt for $28.7M

The platform could help the U.K. delivery service, which just saw its CEO step down, reduce driver wait times and human error as market competition grows.

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 23, 2019

Strong M&A restaurant activity expected this year

Brands like Jack in the Box, which have struggled to grow same-store sales in recent quarters, will be among the acquisition targets in 2019.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 22, 2019

Sun Holdings takes the lead on a Taco Bueno turnaround

The multi-unit franchise owner, which has a portfolio of over 800 restaurants across multiple brands, completes acquisition of the Tex-Mex chain. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 17, 2019

AmEx acquires Japanese restaurant reservation startup

The purchase of Pocket Concierge is the latest example of a credit card company leveraging diner preferences toward personalized experiences. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 16, 2019

Private equity firms buy P.F. Chang's for $700M

TriArtisan Capital Advisors and Paulson & Co. have agreed to buy the casual Chinese food chain from Centerbridge Partners. 

By Julie Littman • Updated Jan. 11, 2019