Operations: Page 22
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Courtesy of Dunkin'
Roark rumored to be seeking Inspire Brands IPO
With a potential valuation of $20 billion, an IPO for the parent company of Dunkin’ and Arby’s would be one of the biggest in the restaurant industry in over 20 years.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 15, 2024 -
Courtesy of Burger King
How Burger King boosted franchisee profitability in 2023
Following the franchisor’s hefty investments in marketing, remodels and redesigns, operators reported higher than expected profitability.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 14, 2024 -
Kate Tornone/Restaurant Dive
Boston Market owner Jay Pandya files for bankruptcy a second time
Pandya originally filed for bankruptcy in December, but that case was dismissed after he failed to respond to court orders for more information.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 14, 2024 -
Permission granted by Inspire Brands
Inspire Brands buys delivery tech firm Vromo
The parent company of Dunkin’ and Buffalo Wild Wings bought the firm for an undisclosed sum, marking its first deal since its $11.3 billion Dunkin’ buy.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 13, 2024 -
Courtesy of Smokey Bones
Smokey Bones revamps loyalty program
Members now receive five points for every dollar spent compared to one point, accelerating the rate in which points are accrued.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 9, 2024 -
Kate Tornone/Restaurant Dive
Is Boston Market’s ambitious menu rotation actually happening?
Restaurant Dive contacted 21% of the shrinking chain’s remaining stores to see if they had begun offering the first two international-inspired dishes announced in January. Here’s what we found.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 9, 2024 -
Permission granted by Del Taco
What’s behind Del Taco’s franchising surge
The Mexican QSR chain signed over 138 franchise commitments in fiscal 2023 and plans to be over 90% franchised by 2026, said Van Ingram, Del Taco’s VP of franchise development.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 9, 2024 -
Courtesy of Taco Bell
4 ways Yum accelerated tech deployment in 2023
From kiosks to automation, the company debuted proprietary systems across thousands of locations to improve operations and grow sales.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 8, 2024 -
Michael M. Santiago / Staff via Getty Images
How Chipotle plans to reach $4M AUVs
After surpassing $3 million average unit volumes in 2023, the fast casual chain continues to push strategies to bolster margins, operations and throughput.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 8, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
McDonald’s sets sights on $45B in loyalty sales
A larger loyalty member pool will provide more customer data for the fast-food chain to improve personalization.
By Bryan Wassel • Feb. 7, 2024 -
Permission granted by Chipotle
Chipotle could surpass 1K Chipotlanes in 2024
The fast casual chain currently has 811 restaurants with mobile pickup lanes, and its guidance suggests another 200 expected this year.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 7, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan / Staff via Getty Images
McDonald’s invests aggressively in technology
The fast food giant’s three-pronged plan aims to digitally transform customer experience, franchise operations and core systems, President and CEO Chris Kempczinski said Monday.
By Matt Ashare • Feb. 6, 2024 -
Courtesy of KFC
KFC US launches points-based digital rewards program
Members earn 10 points for every eligible dollar spent online. Points are redeemable for free food in KFC’s Secret Recipe Vault, which rotates rewards.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 6, 2024 -
Permission granted by Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen hires former Starbucks exec Rossann Williams as COO
Williams, who left Starbucks in 2022 following a corporate reshuffle, will oversee operations, real estate and development and supply chain.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 5, 2024 -
Courtesy of Gopuff
Gopuff introduces Starbucks delivery
Trained baristas prepare food and drink orders from the instant delivery company’s micro-fulfillment centers for delivery in about 30 minutes.
By Peyton Bigora • Updated Feb. 5, 2024 -
Permission granted by Maintenance Cooperation Trust Fund
Cheesecake Factory, contractors agree to $1M settlement for underpaying 589 janitorial workers
The resolution includes $750,000 from the restaurant chain and $250,000 from the janitorial contractors accused of wage theft, the California Labor Commissioner’s Office says.
By Nish Amarnath • Feb. 1, 2024 -
Courtesy of Portillo's
How Portillo’s develops its managers to sustain $10M unit volumes
CEO Michael Osanloo said the chain’s labor model and high unit volumes enable a “virtuous cycle” where sales drive wages and benefits, which in turn drive retention and efficiency.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 1, 2024 -
lechatnoir via Getty Images
Restaurant trend outlook for 2024
Slow traffic, growing interest in afternoon snacking and trends toward value menus, digital and in-store personalization will shape the restaurant landscape.
By Restaurant Dive staff • Jan. 31, 2024 -
Jessica Loder/C-Store Dive/Restaurant Dive
ColumnFueling Up: To truly compete with restaurants, c-stores need to ‘break boundaries’
Narrowing the gap with restaurants is top of mind for many c-store retailers. Achieving it requires stepping outside of convenience retail’s comfort zone, one expert says.
By Brett Dworski • Jan. 31, 2024 -
Michael Thomas via Getty Images
Deep DiveCost pressures may drive restaurant franchisee bankruptcies in 2024
Issues with margins or cash flow due to supply shocks, labor shortages and other disruptions can push operators into covenant default over their debts, experts said.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 30, 2024 -
Permission granted by Wings & Rings
Deep DiveReturn-to-office traffic is fueling a catering boom in 2024
Chains like Cracker Barrel, BJs and Wings & Rings will continue to lean into the profitable channel this year after seeing double-digit growth in 2023.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 29, 2024 -
Permission granted by MODLOGIQ
Wawa to open first modular construction drive-thru stores
The first of the prefabricated drive-thru stores is slated to open on Feb. 8, with several others to follow as the c-store chain tests out a building method that’s become favored by restaurants.
By Jessica Loder • Jan. 29, 2024 -
Kate Tornone/Restaurant Dive
Boston Market’s fee-free growth push raises questions
The beleaguered chicken chain, which has faced hundreds of closures and numerous lawsuits, wants to expand into non-traditional locations with no buy-in requirements for operators.
By Julie Littman • Jan. 26, 2024 -
Panda Express to deploy GridPoint smart building tech at nearly 2,500 locations
The nationwide deployment, expected to result in a reportable emissions offset, follows a 200-store pilot which measured energy cost and CO2 emissions reductions.
By Joe Burns • Jan. 26, 2024 -
Courtesy of Jersey Mike's
Jersey Mike’s to use SoundHound’s phone AI in at least 50 restaurants
The AI tech now answers “100% of calls” at participating stores and recognizes natural language, meaning diners can order a #55 or “Big Kahuna” and the system understands these terms describe the same sub.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 25, 2024
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