Boston Market pays $630K in back wages in NJ, lifting stop-work order

The New Jersey Department of Labor gave the green light for Boston Market to reopen 27 locations, but it’s unclear how many have done so.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 19, 2023

Mod Pizza makes Pocket Pies permanent

The menu item, which was first introduced in March as part of Pi Day, echoes Papa Johns’s Papadias and Pizza Hut’s Melts.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 18, 2023

Kitchen United promotes Atul Sood to CEO

The ghost kitchen company remains focused on building a sustainable business model for decades to come, Sood said. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 18, 2023

Why Donatos sees opportunity in automated vending machines

The pizza chain’s forthcoming prototype is just one example of how this technology can be an innovative grab-and-go option, but challenges over the perception of quality persist.

By Danielle McLean • Sept. 18, 2023

The top 3 AI solutions for back of house operations

From more efficient hiring practices to optimizing scheduling and inventory management, here are the top 3 ways to optimize your back of house operations with the help of AI.  

By Christian Berthelsen • Sept. 18, 2023

Chick-fil-A to return to UK in 2025 with first permanent location

The fast food chain, which is eying additional locations in Europe and Asia, will invest $100 million during the next decade in the country. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 15, 2023

Moe’s longer operating hours, new ingredients help traffic

Since deploying its Project Victory initiative, the TexMex chain has found opportunities — such as slicing whole-muscle beef — in 20% employee idle time, said Chief Brand Officer Tory Bartlett.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Sept. 14, 2023

Howard Schultz resigns from Starbucks’ board

Schultz’s departure is unlikely to change day-to-day matters at the company, BTIG said, but may deprive Starbucks of his “magic touch” with the brand.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 14, 2023

Papa Johns makes executive adjustments to support domestic, international growth

Amanda Clark, currently chief international and development officer, will become chief operating officer, international. Joe Sieve, chief restaurant officer, will assume North American development responsibilities, effective Sept. 18.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 13, 2023

Grubhub brings mobile ordering to its first naval base

The technology allows over 100,000 people at Naval Station Norfolk to order pickup from on-base restaurants like Panda Express, Firehouse Subs, Burger King and Raising Canes.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 13, 2023

McDonald’s will remove self-serve beverage stations by 2032

Operators said they are struggling to balance the space needed for drinks stations with slumping dining room traffic and rising digital orders.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 12, 2023

Diners are happy with c-store food — but retailers have work to do, report says

Operators need to guard against complacency, as the number of customers “extremely satisfied” with c-store foodservice has fallen from 2022, Intouch Insight said.

By Jessica Loder • Sept. 11, 2023

Restaurants should expect a modest negative impact on sales with student loan repayments

Starbucks, Chipotle and Shake Shack could see same-store sales growth slow as high-income consumers may cut spending, said BTIG.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 11, 2023

Chick-fil-A tests robot servers

A few of the chain's restaurants are using bots to deliver food to tables while staff still refill beverages and clean tables.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 8, 2023

Casey’s expands automated ordering technology

The system, which the retailer has been testing for the past year, answers incoming phone calls, processes new orders and connects to Casey’s loyalty platform.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 8, 2023

Potbelly CEO hopes digital kitchen will fuel franchise growth

The sandwich chain is refranchising restaurants in underpenetrated markets where it wants to scale quickly, and an efficiency-focused, digitized backline is proving attractive, said Bob Wright.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Sept. 8, 2023

Grubhub enhances customer insights with order frequency data

Operators can view how often certain customers order from them and take action like running promotions to bolster return visits. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 7, 2023

Grubhub pilots on-demand delivery for self-delivery restaurants

Operators that use in-house delivery can request a Grubhub driver for $5 per order whenever needed. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 7, 2023

First Watch appoints chief brand officer

Matt Eisenacher’s elevated role could help increase brand awareness as the 490-unit chain works toward its goal of 2,200 domestic units. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 6, 2023

Culinary Union launches organizing effort at Las Vegas hotel restaurants

The union is hoping to organize 10,000 restaurant workers at hotels along the Strip, starting with Eataly Las Vegas, part of MGM Resorts.

By Noelle Mateer • Sept. 6, 2023

Chick-fil-A to add mobile pickup lanes to over 300 restaurants

After an initial pilot, the fast food chain found that 85% of customers would use the lane again, and that 90% said the process was smooth.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 6, 2023

Toast CEO resigns

Chris Comparato, who has been CEO since 2015, told the restaurant payments company’s board on Friday that he’ll exit his leadership posts on Jan. 1.

By Caitlin Mullen • Sept. 5, 2023

Veggie Grill closed nearly half its stores to protect its future, CEO says

Shifting demographics in a post-pandemic world made some of the plant-chain’s restaurants unprofitable, CEO T.K. Pillan said.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 5, 2023

Jimmy John’s adds wraps to permanent menu

Wraps, which were offered for two years as summer LTOs, are part of the chain’s plan to expand flavors and menu items. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 5, 2023

What Roark deal means for Subway franchisees

Under its new owner, the sandwich chain could see more rapid expansion, but operators may still be challenged by low store-level profitability.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 31, 2023