Operations

  • People enter a McDonald's restaurant that has posters on the windows advertising meal deals.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Why consumers, not restaurants, are dictating value

    Guests with tighter budgets are seeking out more affordable options, and restaurants — desperate for their dollars — are responding with a battle for the best value offer. 

    By • Sept. 18, 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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    Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Back-of-house Technology

    From voice AI at the drive-thru to robot-powered makelines, restaurants are investing in technology solutions to optimize kitchen operations and reduce employee turnover. 

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • An image of a white and red building with Red Lobster signage on the front.
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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
  • A Chick-fil-A restaurant is seen on July 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Chick-fil-A plots major expansion in Michigan

    The fast food giant expects to open 25 to 30 franchised units in the Mitten State, adding to its existing 28 units.

    By • Sept. 5, 2024
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    Julie Littman/Restaurant Dive
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    BJ’s Restaurants hires On the Border CEO as president, chief concept officer

    Hiring Lyle Tick, who worked at beverage-heavy concepts like Buffalo Wild Wings, may signal a greater emphasis on BJ’s brewhouse roots.

    By • Sept. 3, 2024
  • A portrait photo of Heather Neary, Taco John's new CEO.
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    Permission granted by Taco John's
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    Q&A // Meet the exec

    How Taco John’s CEO is developing a people-first culture

    Heather Neary, who joined the chain earlier this year, is developing a culture of communication as the restaurant grows beyond its Midwestern roots.

    By • Sept. 3, 2024
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    A look back at August’s frantic restaurant CEO switch-ups

    In four weeks, at least eight restaurant companies named new CEOs as sliding sales and declining traffic pushed brands to try turnarounds.

    By • Aug. 30, 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 Chipotle
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    Chipotle moves up CFO start date

    Adam Rymer and Jack Hartung will start in their positions as CFO and president and chief strategy officer, respectively, on Oct. 1.

    By • Aug. 29, 2024
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    Permission granted by Black Bear Diner
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    Black Bear Diner appoints P.F. Chang’s vet as COO

    Art Kilmer brings decades of restaurant experience at P.F. Chang’s and Steak and Ale to his new position.

    By • Aug. 29, 2024
  • An image of a gray building with a white logo that says "Shake Shack"
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack to shutter 9 underperforming units

    The company identified locations in California, Ohio and Texas with poor returns, and that in some cases were cannibalizing sales of nearby restaurants.

    By • Aug. 28, 2024
  • An image of Subway's footlong cookies, pretzels and churros
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Q&A

    How Subway developed its latest snackable menu items

    The chain’s latest menu innovations, from Subway Sidekicks to spicy sandwiches, appeal to guest demands for bolder flavors, Chef Paul Fabre said.

    By • Aug. 28, 2024
  • An image of a small restaurant with a red facade that has a white logo saying Checkers. There is a woman waiting at a pickup window and a blue car at a drive-thru window.
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    The image by Pokemonprime is licensed under CC BY 4.0
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    Checkers & Rally’s names CEO, president

    Chris Tebben, who has worked at Mars, Starbucks, P.F. Chang’s and Pizza Hut, becomes the company’s top executive following Frances Allen’s departure.

    By • Updated Aug. 28, 2024
  • An iced coffee, breakfast sandwich and hash browns beside purple text reading $6 meal deal
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    Courtesy of Dunkin'
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    Dunkin’ launches $6 fall value meal

    The brand’s entry into the 2024 value wars includes a breakfast sandwich with a medium coffee and hashbrowns.

    By • Aug. 28, 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
  • An image of a woman's hand holding a smart phone with an app loaded from Red Robin.
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    Courtesy of Red Robin
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    How Red Robin’s loyalty revamp helped drive same-store sales growth

    The company grew its loyalty membership to over 14.2 million during the second quarter, driven by its May rollout of a revamped points-based program.

    By • Aug. 27, 2024
  • A photo of Chris Tarrant from Nothing Bundt Cakes
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    Courtesy of Nothing Bundt Cakes
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    Sweetgreen hires Starbucks alum to head development

    Suburban growth and automated stores are major priorities for the salad chain, which is hiring Nothing Bundt Cakes’ CDO, Christopher Tarrant.

    By • Aug. 26, 2024
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    Courtesy of Fortress Investment Group
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    Red Lobster gets another CEO

    The chain’s pending owner has hired Damola Adamolekun to head up the reorganized company, which is planning to close 23 stores at the end of August.

    By • Aug. 26, 2024
  • 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 reports highest guest satisfaction in nearly a decade

    Improvements to its labor model, increased focus on food quality and decreased wait times have all boosted the guest experience, the chain said.

    By • Aug. 23, 2024
  • An image of a white building with red stripes and KFC branding.
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    Moses Robinson via Getty Images
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    KFC franchisee closes around 25 restaurants in the Midwest: reports

    EYM previously closed Pizza Hut and Burger King restaurants, and its pizza division filed for Chapter 11 earlier this summer.

    By • Aug. 23, 2024
  • An exterior image of a BurgerFi restaurant
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    Permission granted by BurgerFi
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    BurgerFi hires chief restructuring officer

    The move comes just days after the chain expressed “substantial doubt” over its ability to continue operating given its current financial situation.

    By • Aug. 23, 2024
  • The exterior of a Cava in Chicago
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    Permission granted by Cava
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    Cava’s traffic surges in Q2

    Customers are switching to the fast casual chain from across the restaurant industry thanks to its moderate approach to menu pricing.

    By • Aug. 22, 2024
  • An image of a Tony Roma's with red neon backlighting
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    The image by Dirk Ingo Franke is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Tony Roma’s names permanent CEO

    Mohaimina Haque’s appointment marks a “new chapter” at the chain as it seeks to reduce costs and grow internationally.

    By • Aug. 22, 2024
  • Taco Bell breakfast burritos
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    Permission granted by Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell will let franchisees stop breakfast

    Ditching the morning meal gives franchisees the flexibility to focus on other dayparts, the brand said.

    By • Aug. 22, 2024