Operations

  • An image of Craig LeMieux, CEO of Rock N Roll Sushi and Terri Jessen, VP of operations
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    Permission granted by Rock N Roll Sushi
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    Rock N Roll Sushi hires experienced franchise exec as CEO

    Craig LeMieux, who has decades of franchising experience, will lead the chain as its top executive. Terri Jessen was appointed VP of operations. 

    By • Dec. 7, 2023
  • An exterior shot of a Red Robin restaurant, which is lit from inside, at night
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    The image by Cbraccialini is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Red Robin appoints chief people officer

    Meghan Spuler joins the casual chain in the midst of its ongoing North Star Plan transformation, which includes a new staffing model.

    By • Dec. 7, 2023
  • A photograph of chefs in a kitchen. Explore the Trendline➔
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    sam edwards via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Restaurant Dive Outlook for 2023

    Restaurants across categories are hungry for growth this year, with many embracing franchising. However, confidence in the ghost kitchen model is waning.

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • Red Robin menu items, including shrimp, fries and rigs atop white plates.
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    Permission granted by Red Robin
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    How 6 casual chains revamped their menus in 2023

    IHOP, Denny’s, Red Robin and TGI Fridays emphasized menu updates this year in a bid to boost traffic and sales.

    By • Dec. 6, 2023
  • An exterior photo of CaliExpress by Flippy restaurant in California
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    Retrieved from CaliExpress by Flippy on December 05, 2023
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    Miso Robotics to open autonomous restaurant in California

    CaliExpress by Flippy was created in partnership with Cali Group and PopID and uses robotic arms to cook burgers and fries, requiring minimal human labor.

    By • Dec. 6, 2023
  • Two hands holding up gift cards from Cheesecake Factory
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    Courtesy of The Cheesecake Factory
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    Restaurant gift card sales rose during Thanksgiving holiday weekend

    Guests spent 7.3% more on restaurant gift cards during the Thanksgiving weekend compared to the same period in 2022, per Paytronix data. 

    By • Dec. 4, 2023
  • Top down shot of food item on table
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    Permission granted by Idaho Potato Commission, David Malosh
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    Sponsored by Idaho Potato Commission

    How this ingredient can drive profitability and innovation while simplifying your operations

    Today’s restaurant chefs and operators are continually looking for ways to enhance profitability, simplify operations and captivate their customers.

    Dec. 4, 2023
  • Justin Murakami was promoted to COO of Sprinkles in Nov. 2023.
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    Courtesy of Sprinkles
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    Sprinkles promotes new COO

    Justin Murakami will lead operations as the company prepares to expand its network of production and pantry bakeries, as well as its cupcake “ATMs.”

    By • Dec. 1, 2023
  • Burger King gets a fresh look
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    A look back at 8 major franchisee bankruptcies in 2023

    Burger King, Popeyes, McDonald’s and more saw multi-unit operators go belly-up due to struggles with inflation, low traffic and rising costs.

    By • Dec. 1, 2023
  • McDonald’s employee Nidia Torres speaks at a rally of fast food workers and supporters for passage of AB 257, a fast-food worker health and safety bill, on April 16, 2021
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    How 5 restaurant chains are preparing for $20 wage in California

    Brands like McDonald’s and Chipotle are planning menu price hikes and investing in operations and tech improvements to offset higher labor costs.

    By • Nov. 30, 2023
  • A photo of meatloaf from Travel Center's of America's dinner menu.
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    Permission granted by TravelCenters of America
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    Can c-stores become dinner destinations?

    While the industry is better known for beverages and snacks, a growing emphasis on meals can open big opportunities for retailers with the right offers.

    By Jessica Loder • Nov. 28, 2023
  • A smiling female barista hands two warm takeout coffee cups to a waiting customer.
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    Maksym Belchenko via Getty Images
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    Coffee, tea QSRs report traffic bump from return to office

    Category operators opened 3,500 new units as of March 2023 compared to March 2022 following a spike in consumer demand, according to Circana data.

    By • Nov. 27, 2023
  • A woman is ordering food off of a self-service kiosk.
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    frantic00 via Getty Images
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    Why QSRs are doubling down on kiosks

    Burger King, Taco Bell and Shake Shack are among the chains adding this technology to boost check and reduce labor pressure.

    By • Nov. 27, 2023
  • An image of Popeyes' five wings flavors on an orange background
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    Courtesy of Popeyes
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    Popeyes adds wings lineup to core menu

    The menu expansion follows the chain's successful Ghost Pepper Wings LTO, which contributed to a 5.6% increase in same-store sales during Q3.

    By • Nov. 22, 2023
  • Coffee bar in supermarket
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    Courtesy of Sprouts Farmers Market
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    Sprouts expands partnership with Phoenix coffee chain

    Following a successful pilot, the grocer has opened a Press Coffee bar in a store in Scottsdale, Arizona, and plans to bring the concept to three more locations in the city during the coming weeks.

    By Peyton Bigora • Nov. 21, 2023
  • Image of a counter with a ordering kiosk and shelves in the background with bags.
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    Permission granted by Kitchen United
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    Why ghost kitchen pioneers want to say goodbye to the name

    Omnichannel business, a focus on operations and reasonable growth timetables set the stage for ghost kitchens’ second act.

    By • Nov. 21, 2023
  • Jimmy Donaldson, or MrBeast, smiles and poses with other influencers in front of branding for his burger chain.
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    Dave Kotinsky via Getty Images
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    Are celebrity-backed virtual brands worth the risks?

    A string of messy and high-profile lawsuits over MrBeast Burger have put the category’s challenges under a spotlight, but experts say there may be opportunity in an omnichannel second act for virtual brands.

    By • Nov. 20, 2023
  • Graphic image of drive-thru system
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    Permission granted by Presto Automation Inc.
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    Presto lays off 17% of global workforce

    The staff reduction, which may impact around two dozen employees, is part of the technology company’s strategy to reduce costs, boost profitability and streamline operations.

    By • Nov. 17, 2023
  • A photograph of chefs in a kitchen.
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    sam edwards via Getty Images
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    ‘Stop the bleeding’: Why experts say retention is key to restaurant labor profitability

    By identifying in-house talent early and scaling employee support, restaurants can reduce churn at lower costs than they would incur hiring new workers, panelists said at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference. 

    By • Nov. 17, 2023
  • New York City waiter prepares dining room
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    The public dislikes tip pools, Pew finds

    Tip pools have proved a controversial wage-and-hour topic, especially when back- and front-of-house staff are both included.

    By Ryan Golden • Nov. 17, 2023
  • A photograph of IHOP's Eggs Benedicts
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    Courtesy of IHOP
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    IHOP, Applebee’s lean into menu development to drive sales

    IHOP rolled out its biggest menu update in its history this year, which led to an uptick in sales, and Applebee’s is testing 200 items as part of its own update.

    By • Nov. 16, 2023
  • An image of various dishes from Modern Market's menu.
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    Permission granted by Modern Market Eatery
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    Modern Market Eatery opens first drive-thru restaurant

    The Colorado Springs, Colorado, location uses a double-sided production line to ensure quick service for drive-thru guests.  

    By • Nov. 16, 2023
  • An image of Jeff Shepherd, Subway CFO, in front of a green and white Subway logo
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway names CFO

    Jeff Shepherd brings nearly 30 years of financial experience to his position at Subway and succeeds Ben Wells, who joined the chain in December 2019. 

    By • Nov. 15, 2023
  • Business people, meeting and corporate discussion against a blurred background at the office. Group of employees in team planning, presentation or training staff for collaboration.
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    Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty via Getty Images
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    What keeps 4 restaurant CEOs up at night

    Employee welfare and threats to franchising’s “American dream” are two of the existential fears the heads of Cava, Chicken Salad Chick, Golden Corral and Caribou Coffee discussed at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference.

    By • Nov. 15, 2023
  • A view of a Wendy's restaurant on May 12, 2021 in Pinole, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Wendy’s franchisee files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

    Starboard Group, which operates 72 units, said inflation, falling customer count and expensive remodels contributed to its financial woes.

    By • Nov. 15, 2023
  • An image of a small brick restaurant with Biggby signage
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    Permission granted by Biggby
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    How Biggby plans to grow from over 350 units to 1K by 2028

    By offering flexible store models, like kiosks and modular units, the chain is rapidly signing new locations and plans to have 66 new units open this year.

    By • Nov. 14, 2023