NLRB delays effective date of joint employer rule to February

In a reprieve for franchisors, the National Labor Relations Board pushed back the date its joint employer rule would take effect to early next year.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Nov. 20, 2023

Chipotle will raise wages in California, continue testing robots

The chain plans to hike prices by mid-to-high single digits in California next year to compensate for a 20% wage increase in that market.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne , Julie Littman • Oct. 27, 2023

Twice Daily brings made-to-order foodservice to all locations

After testing the concept at select locations earlier this summer and seeing positive results, the convenience retailer broadened the program.

By Brett Dworski • Oct. 25, 2023

Fat Brands debuts first co-branded Fatburger, Round Table Pizza unit

The restaurant is the first of four dual-branded units to be operated by Fat Brands’ franchisee SNM Management Group in Dallas.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 25, 2023

Sweetgreen heats up menu expansion with protein plates

The addition of Miso Glazed Salmon, Southwest Chicken Fajita and Hot Honey Chicken plates are part of the chain’s plan to offer guests more dinner options.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 24, 2023

Sprint Mart opens its largest store to date

The 16,000-square-foot location in Alabama features a new sit-down restaurant concept, Sadie’s Diner.

By Jessica Loder • Oct. 24, 2023

Playa Bowls hires Focus Brands vet as CMO

Nicolle DuBose, who has over 20 years of marketing experience at food and beverage brands, joins the health food chain as it surpasses 200 units.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 23, 2023

P.F. Chang’s hires Panera exec as CEO and president

Eduardo Luz, who worked as chief brand and concept officer at Panera Bread, has over 30 years of experience working with restaurant and CPG brands.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 23, 2023

Marco’s Pizza aims to unseat Papa Johns as fourth-largest US pizza chain

Marco’s has identified over 4,200 locations where it could open smaller units in the next five to 10 years, Chief Development Officer Gerardo Flores said.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 23, 2023

Golden Corral fast casual spin-off to open in December

Homeward Kitchen, which will debut in North Carolina, will help fuel company’s ongoing expansion plan and help Golden Corral reach new demographics.

By Julie Littman • Updated Oct. 20, 2023

BurgerFi expands non-traditional channels with planned movie theater opening

The chain, which continues to struggle with slumping same-store sales, is leaning into alternative locations to boost brand awareness and expansion. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 20, 2023

How Portillo’s changed its real estate, design playbook to launch efficient restaurants

Using data analytics, the company found that it could generate AUVs of at least $7 million in 220 more markets than initially thought.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 19, 2023

TGI Fridays’ new events service could yield $5M in additional Q4 revenue

The chain said this move is part of its strategy to become an experiential hospitality and entertainment destination.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 19, 2023

Square adds generative AI tools for restaurants

The point-of-sales provider's latest features include menu and website copy generators, which are designed to automate operations and increase efficiency.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 18, 2023

Wendy’s exec leads new store growth across the world

Abigail Pringle oversees restaurant design, real estate, construction and franchise development for the fast food giant.

By Jennifer Goodman • Oct. 18, 2023

‘A low bar’: How California’s new workplace violence prevention plan aims to make workplaces safer

The new law is the first in the U.S. to establish an industrywide workplace violence prevention standard and could lead other states to follow, experts say.

By Ginger Christ • Oct. 16, 2023

How drive-thru-only units are shaping QSR operations

Smaller units can lower costs and optimize operations, experts said during Restaurant Dive’s off-premise trends virtual event in September.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 16, 2023

How to create menus that attract Gen Z customers

What does Gen Z want? While there isn’t one answer, there are a few ways to entice this demographic.

Oct. 16, 2023

9 restaurant industry events to attend in 2024

The coming year is packed with conferences focused on hot-button restaurant issues ranging from franchise operations to generative artificial intelligence. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 13, 2023

Virtual brand troubles are growing pains, not death rattle, experts say

“We’re in the second inning of a nine-inning ballgame,” said Geoff Alexander, Wow Bao’s CEO and president.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 11, 2023

McDonald’s US CMO on brand’s first-party data transformation

After years of struggling with the youth market, the chain has turned things around thanks to its loyalty program and more culturally impactful campaigns.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 11, 2023

How pumpkin spice became the unshakeable king of coffee LTOs

Developing the autumnal flavor for cold drinks, which are surging in popularity, is a technical feat. But recent innovations may secure the flavor’s dominance for years to come, experts say.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 10, 2023

4 c-store breakfast trends to wake up to

Morning is the busiest time of day for c-stores. Here’s how TXB, Rutter’s and others are updating their menus to connect with customers.

By Christine Blank • Oct. 10, 2023

Paris Baguette appoints Duck Donuts exec as chief development officer

Eric Lavinder brings over 20 years of restaurant experience to the cafe chain, which aims to reach 1,000 units in the U.S. by 2030.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 9, 2023

Taco Bell, Chick-fil-A lead QSR drive-thru speed

New prototypes, like Taco Bell’s Defy in Minnesota, were significantly faster than segment averages, Intouch Insight’s latest drive-thru study finds.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 6, 2023