McDonald’s readies first-ever duo meal with Cardi B and Offset

Timed to Valentine's Day, the effort includes tie-ups with dating apps and a kiss cam billboard in Times Square.

By Chris Kelly , Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 13, 2023

Spring into profits with trending treats

Refresh your spring menu and attract customers with four data-backed tips and trends.

Feb. 13, 2023

How to prepare your restaurant for economic uncertainty

Maximizing profit is crucial after months of slim margins. And it all starts with your menu.

Feb. 13, 2023

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice plans to triple its units through franchising

After hitting 100 units in 2022, the company will open 45 stores this year as it aims to reach 300 locations.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 10, 2023

Chick-fil-A pilots first chicken-free sandwich

The cauliflower sandwich, which is marinated, breaded and pressure cooked simiarly to its chicken sandwich, will be available in Denver; Charleston, South Carolina; and in the Greensboro-Triad region in North Carolina.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 9, 2023

Could grocers and fast food restaurants join forces for online ordering?

Micro-fulfillment vendor Takeoff Technologies is working with an unnamed retailer to allow shoppers to order groceries and McDonald’s food at once, a senior company official said.

By Sam Silverstein • Feb. 9, 2023

Uber Eats to back community development loans for Black-owned restaurants

The delivery aggregator will partner with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation to provide financing to Black restaurant owners in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 8, 2023

Chipotle will enhance digital service with automated makelines, gamified rewards

Despite growing to $3 billion in revenue, the chain’s digital business saw sales as a percentage of total revenue level off at around 37% in Q4 2022. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 8, 2023

Fat Brands opened a record number of stores in 2022

Last year’s 142-unit expansion could be surpassed by the 175 units slated to open in 2023 as Fat works toward launching 1,000 units in its pipeline.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 7, 2023

Franchise spotlight: How Shuckin’ Shack grew from a dive bar to a budding chain

By focusing on secondary markets, the full-service oyster bar has built a loyal customer base and strong same-store sales growth.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 2, 2023

How Chowly’s Koala buy will broaden online ordering access for SMBs

With Koala’s enterprise-level digital ordering capabilities, Chowly will be able to offer a user-facing tool for its small and mid-size restaurant clients. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 2, 2023

Egg prices to remain high for as long as bird flu continues, experts say

After prices more than doubled over the past year, producers are grappling with the impact of the virus while politicians and activists call for investigations into potential price gouging.

By Chris Casey • Feb. 2, 2023

Subway’s North American same-store sales rise nearly 8%

Subway’s efforts to improve its brand positioning and franchising system may be paying off, but it’s unclear what role inflation played in sales growth.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 2, 2023

Crisp & Green signs its largest franchise deal yet for 40 units

The Minnesota-based fast casual chain expects to open 50 locations in 15 states by the end of the year. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 1, 2023

Dunkin’ doubles down on loyalty with exclusive latte

Months after retooling its rewards program, the chain has added the Brownie Batter Signature Latte, its first beverage available only to loyalty members.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 1, 2023

Ghost kitchens need to go omnichannel if they want to survive, experts say

After a year of dashed expansion plans, closures and high-profile regulatory infractions, segment players may need brand awareness and expanded access points to thrive.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 31, 2023

While chains seek multi-unit franchisees, small operators have room to grow in 2023

Franchisees will continue to push franchisors to boost store-level profitability as many brace for high development and operating costs.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 30, 2023

Earnings instability has led to fewer restaurant lenders

Despite institutions pulling back from offering loans to restaurants, CapitalSpring’s Erik Herrmann says there are other options.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 30, 2023

How to use online reviews to increase efficiency

The increasing popularity of online review sites like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Google, makes it feel like everybody’s a critic. When everyone makes their opinions public, conflicting perspectives are inevitable and sorting through the mass of information can seem like a daunting task. However...

Jan. 30, 2023

Chick-fil-A to open second Little Blue Menu location

The chain’s original Nashville, Tennessee, prototype offers items from virtual concepts Outfox Wings and Because, Burger in addition to Chick-fil-A’s menu. 

By Julie Littman • Updated Jan. 30, 2023

Mod tries expanding beyond pizza with wings test

If the pilot is successful, Mod could add wings to its permanent menu, revising its offerings alongside brands like Pizza Hut, Papa Johns and Pie Five.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 26, 2023

Sprinkles bakes up plan to sign 100 franchised units

The cupcake chain opened its first franchised unit at the end of 2022 and is eying extensive domestic and international growth.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 24, 2023

Report: QSR traffic down 4.2% in Q4

Net sales were up 6.1% during the quarter due to an uptick in average check, according to a report from Revenue Management Solutions.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 23, 2023

The solution to the labor shortage is not automation. It’s autonomy.

Remy Robotics CEO Yegor Traiman proposes a comprehensive solution to the restaurant industry’s labor problem.

Jan. 23, 2023

Ransomware attack against Yum Brands follows several incidents targeting restaurant industry

Criminals see restaurants and mobile ordering apps as ripe targets for credential stuffing and financial fraud.

By David Jones • Jan. 20, 2023