How Paris Baguette is bringing back the neighborhood bakery

The chain, which offers fresh-baked goodies, drinks and cakes, signed over 160 franchise deals in 2024 and aims to sign another 200 this year.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 8, 2025

McDonald’s cools on DEI, shifts to ‘global inclusion’

The shift in strategy comes as a result of work done last year, McDonald’s said, including a “comprehensive Civil Rights Audit.”

By Caroline Colvin • Jan. 7, 2025

Explore the 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

White Castle names president

Anthony Joseph, current chief administrative officer, takes over the role from Lisa Ingram, who will maintain her other roles of board chair and CEO.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 7, 2025

8 restaurant trends to watch in 2025

Analysts forecast a slightly rosier year, predicting that consumer demand will rise, bankruptcies will slow and increased valuations will spark M&A.

By Julie Littman , Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 7, 2025

Consumers want deals, convenience from personalization, survey finds

Simple acts of recognition, with or without a human touch, can build long-term customer relationships, Boston Consulting Group’s Mark Abraham said.

By Bryan Wassel • Jan. 6, 2025

Starbucks’ turnaround plan will be ‘no quick fix,’ analysts say

The chain wants to improve customer experience by making its stores more welcoming and speeding up service. But will the changes come fast enough?

By Michael Brady • Jan. 6, 2025

Noodles & Company warned of Nasdaq delisting

After third-quarter earnings disappointed and its stock price fell under $1, the company has yet to recover.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 2, 2025

World of Beer emerges from bankruptcy

The company restructured its debt and plans to open upward of 20 units within the next five years. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 2, 2025

Starbucks Workers United launches multi-day strike

Beginning in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, the union will expand limited strikes until Christmas Eve, potentially impacting hundreds of stores.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 20, 2024

From restaurant to retail: How Michelin-starred brands are infiltrating the grocery store

The channel provides establishments such as Momofuku and Carbone with new revenue streams and an opportunity to connect more consumers.

By Chris Casey • Dec. 20, 2024

Restaurant gift card sales up 17% during Thanksgiving weekend: report

In addition to gift card sales growth, Patronix reported an uptick in in-store purchases versus digital compared to the same period last year.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 20, 2024

These restaurants closed hundreds of stores in 2024

Red Lobster closed over 100 stores prior to filing for bankruptcy, while other chains like Denny’s, which is closing 150 underperforming units, are using closures to improve system health.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 19, 2024

FTC excludes restaurants from junk fee rule

In another regulatory victory for restaurants, the Federal Trade Commission backtracked on including restaurant fees in its price transparency rule.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 19, 2024

Inside KFC’s tech-centric concept

Opening Monday in Orlando, Florida, Saucy focuses on chicken tenders and will use order-ahead pickup technology to boost speed and efficiency.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 19, 2024

Starbucks Workers United members vote to authorize strike

While bargaining has progressed, the union said the company hasn’t presented a comprehensive economic framework.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 17, 2024

The restaurant industry’s top 3 winners and losers of 2024

Sales and traffic fell for many brands, like Starbucks and McDonald’s, but fast casuals like Chipotle and Cava had a good year.

By Julie Littman , Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 17, 2024

Why activist investors will keep targeting restaurants in 2025

From a CEO-ouster at Starbucks to pressure on The Cheesecake Factory to spin off smaller brands, activist investors took dramatic measures to boost shareholder value in 2024.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 16, 2024

Nearly half of independent restaurants couldn’t pay rent in November: report

Rental delinquencies were up 11% last month compared to 2023 as operators struggled with rising operating costs, according to Alignable.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 16, 2024

How c-stores pushed the envelope on foodservice in 2024

From creating new restaurant concepts to expanding menus and bringing in QSRs, retailers keep seeking new ways to enhance this key category.

By Jessica Loder • Dec. 13, 2024

Krispy Kreme online ordering disrupted by cyberattack

After an attack on part of its information technology systems, the chain said it is working to restore online ordering. Store operations were not impacted.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 11, 2024

Church’s Texas Chicken turns to drive-thru AI

SoundHound’s technology could help the chicken chain speed up order processing by shifting workers from order taking to food making.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 11, 2024

Taking flight: Why more restaurant chains are catering to travelers

While big chains appear in numerous airports and train stations, emerging competitors like Slim Chickens and Pollo Campero are also using these locations to build brand awareness.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 11, 2024

Dave & Buster’s CEO steps down as sales slide

Chris Morris’ resignation follows several quarters of falling same-store sales as consumers pulled back from restaurant spending.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 11, 2024

Yelp enhances platform with more personalized home feeds

The review platform added over 20 features, such as AI-powered review insights and enhancements to its business product suite.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 10, 2024

An inside look at Taco Bell’s beverage concept

Live Más Café offers drinks that appeal to Gen Z consumers like chillers, agua frescas and specialty coffee drinks.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 10, 2024