Operations: Page 35

  • A photograph of an Applebee's sign.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    How Applebee’s new president plans to revive franchisee development

    With high costs hurting potential ROI on new builds, Tony Moralejo wants to save with a new kitchen prototype and franchisee incentives.

    By • March 7, 2023
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    Rosie Bradbury/Industry Dive
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    Sweetgreen launches catering as workers return to offices

    The fast casual chain slowly grew the channel through a pilot program last year as it expanded into new markets. 

    By • March 7, 2023
  • An image of a building with glass and a yellow sign that says Fatburger next to an image on orange buffalo
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    Permission granted by Fat Brants
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    Fat Brands CEO to resign, citing federal investigation

    Andy Wiederhorn will remain with the restaurant firm until May 5, at which point he will act as an outside consultant and strategic advisor for the holding company he founded. 

    By , • March 6, 2023
  • A photograph of a cafe operator holding up an open sign.
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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    Restaurant unit counts up 18K compared to 2020

    Despite the growth noted by NPD Group, only about one-third of QSRs and fast casual operators are likely to open new units this year, NRA research finds. 

    By • March 6, 2023
  • Dinner plates with food
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    Soleskz/Shutterstock.com

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    Sponsored by Upside

    Personalized restaurant promotions are the key to new sales and customers

    There’s a tentative sense of optimism in the restaurant industry — between inflation and recession fears — as sales return to pre-pandemic levels.

    March 6, 2023
  • An image of the welcome center in Subway's secondary HQ
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway opens second headquarters with sandwich test station

    The sandwich giant’s Miami office will help speed up menu innovation and may enable greater cooperation with franchisees on supply chain issues.

    By • March 2, 2023
  • An image of a Wetzel's Pretzels inside a convenience store.
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    Permission granted by Wetzel's Pretzels
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    Q&A

    How Wetzel’s Pretzels built a pipeline to reach 400 units this year

    CEO Jennifer Schuler discusses the chain’s strategy of opening units inside c-stores and large retailers like Walmart and Macy’s.

    By • March 1, 2023
  • Exterior of a Kroger store with a "Kitchen United Mix" sign on the building and delivery van.
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    Courtesy of Kroger
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    NRA: One-third of operators predict ghost kitchens will decline

    Consumers prefer to order from brick-and-mortar establishments, according to the National Restaurant Association’s State of the Industry Report.

    By • March 1, 2023
  • A photo of a front counter at Tijuana Flats.
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    Permission granted by Tijuana Flats
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    Tijuana Flats halves franchise fee, targets 50 openings by 2025

    The Tex-Mex chain will offer royalty fees starting at 1% that ramp up in subsequent years as it seeks multi-unit operators and growth in the Southeast. 

    By • March 1, 2023
  • A photo of an IHOP sign
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    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
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    IHOP to add third virtual brand

    The casual chain will launch Tender Fix to complement its Thrilled Cheese and Super Mega Dilla brands, which are available in over 1,200 restaurants.

    By • March 1, 2023
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    Chicken Salad Chick
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    Chicken Salad Chick targets 35 openings in 2023

    The fast casual chain, which reported a 20% jump in systemwide sales, saw a 10% increase in unit count last year. 

    By • Feb. 28, 2023
  • TravelCenters of America
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    Retrieved from TA press release.
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    TravelCenters of America debuts new proprietary restaurant

    The Fork & Compass full-service concept opened last month, after the retailer said it was in the works in November.

    By Brett Dworski • Feb. 28, 2023
  • A chef cooking in the kitchen with pots, pans, and a restaurant stove in the background
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    Miodrag Ignjatovic via Getty Images
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    NRA forecasts 2023 job growth, not major recession

    With jobs up and wage growth moderating, most restaurant operators still expect high labor costs and difficulty hiring, according to the National Restaurant Association’s State of the Industry report.

    By • Feb. 28, 2023
  • An image of Danton Nolan at Church's Texas Chicken
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    Courtesy of Church's Texas Chicken
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    Church’s Texas Chicken hires Inspire Brands vet as CFO

    Danton Nolan joins the 1,500-unit chicken chain as it accelerates growth domestically and abroad. 

    By • Feb. 27, 2023
  • A picture of Ray Bodnar, the new VP of Franchise Sales and Development at Twin Peaks.
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    Courtesy of Twin Peaks
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    Twin Peaks hires VP to support franchise development

    Ray Bodnar, formerly of Captain D’s and Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, will oversee franchising efforts as Twin Peaks looks to boost U.S. and international growth.

    By • Feb. 27, 2023
  • A restaurant worker serving someone at the counter on a Square mobile payment platform.
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    Robots in restaurants? What restaurateurs need to know about this growing trend

    What will it look like for restaurant owners to collaborate with robots?

    By Samantha Stone • Feb. 27, 2023
  • An image of Rush Bowls menu items.
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    Permission granted by Rush Bowls
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    Rush Bowls to triple store count with 100-unit pipeline

    The healthy food brand, which has over 30 locations, will focus on organic growth and expansion within its existing markets. 

    By • Feb. 24, 2023
  • A photo of the outside of a Wingstop.
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    Courtesy of Wingstop
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    Wingstop’s traffic growth buoyed by 60% digital mix

    As other QSRs report declines in delivery and digital as consumers return to dine-in, Wingstop says its digital business is growing.

    By • Feb. 23, 2023
  • An image of Subway Oasis electric vehicle charging parks.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway to install EV charging stations at select stores

    The chain will also work with GenZ EV Solutions to create Subway Oasis charging parks with picnic tables, restrooms, green space and playgrounds. 

    By • Updated Feb. 21, 2023
  • A restaurant worker serving someone at the counter on a Square mobile payment platform.
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    Permission granted by Square
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    Sponsored by Square

    Robots in restaurants? What restaurateurs need to know about this growing trend

    What will it look like for restaurant owners to collaborate with robots?

    By Samantha Stone • Feb. 21, 2023
  • A photo of Sweet Paris Creperie & Cafe.
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    Permission granted by Sweet Paris Creperie & Cafe
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    How Sweet Paris Creperie & Cafe grew from a craving to an expanding chain

    Co-founders Allison and Ivan Chavez aim to scale the restaurant company from 12 to 100 U.S. locations by 2031.

    By • Feb. 17, 2023
  • An image of Chick-fil-A's Brake Room in New York City.
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    Courtesy of Chick-fil-A
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    Chick-fil-A opens free space for food delivery workers in NYC through mid-April

    Couriers in Manhattan can access The Brake Room which has bathrooms, bike storage, electrical outlets, seating, Wi-Fi and beverages.

    By • Feb. 16, 2023
  • Burger King gets a fresh look
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    Burger King is fighting to boost sales, restaurant margins

    The chain says its $400 million Reclaim The Flame brand overhaul is improving sales and profits despite franchisee difficulties.

    By • Feb. 15, 2023
  • An image of food bowls from Chipotle's experimental fast casual brand, Farmesa Fresh Eatery.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle tests new brand with Kitchen United

    The fast casual concept, Farmesa Fresh Eatery, will fully open next month in Santa Monica, California, and serve as a testing ground for new techniques. 

    By • Feb. 15, 2023
  • An image of two people with wine and a bouquet of roses in the foreground.
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    Prostock-Studio via Getty Images
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    63% of consumers plan to order from a restaurant on Valentine’s Day

    Forty-nine percent of consumers celebrating the holiday said they will dine out, while 25% plan to order takeout or delivery, according to a Popmenu study. 

    By • Feb. 13, 2023