Chili’s closes off-premise test unit 2 months after opening

Brinker International said it closed the store to focus on improving Chili’s core business and innovation, including its Kitchen of the Future 3 program.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 19, 2023

How Bartaco eliminated wait staff roles to boost wages

Retooling employee responsibilities and adding tip pooling allows the chain to pay average hourly wages of $23, higher than the $17 industry average.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 18, 2023

Franchise spotlight: Teriyaki Madness to double openings in 2023

The Asian chain is signing leases faster than ever and is on a trajectory to reach 500 units within the next few years.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 18, 2023

Jollibee debuts double drive-thru in US

The restaurant is the company’s 87th in North America, and it continues to push toward its goal of operating 500 restaurants in the region.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 17, 2023

Wienerschnitzel launches franchisee incentive program

The QSR is reducing royalties and offering marketing funding to entice new operators to grow the chain in markets including the South and Midwest.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 17, 2023

Wendy’s eliminates chief commercial officer role as part of corporate restructure

The company will shift its focus to more traditional store development and remains committed to building its breakfast daypart, accelerating its digital business and growing its overall footprint.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 13, 2023

Franchise spotlight: Toppers Pizza expects to surpass 100 units in 3 years

A tenured executive team, long-term franchisees and a strong support system are helping the 70-unit pizza chain expand in the U.S.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 12, 2023

Portillo’s drive-thrus go cashless to avoid robberies

The company aims to improve the safety of its staff, who take drive-thru orders and payments outside, CEO Michael Oslanoo said at ICR.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 11, 2023

Shake Shack expects to open up to 70 units in 2023

Of these units, 40 will open in the U.S., including a mix of traditional, drive-thru and non-traditional locations, such as travel centers. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 11, 2023

Red Robin unveils comeback plan for sales, brand positioning

The restaurant chain will focus on improving its basic operations, including labor practices and food quality, that have floundered in recent years.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 10, 2023

Del Taco expands Presto partnership, bringing voice AI to drive-thrus

The chain will roll out the technology across its system after three months of testing and concurrent demand from franchisees, Presto founder Rajat Suri said at ICR on Tuesday. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 10, 2023

UKG lost, destroyed employee data, P.F. Chang’s alleges in lawsuit

Emails viewed by HR Dive portray a combative back-and-forth between attorneys for the two companies.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 10, 2023

Survey: 10% of small businesses that use TikTok go viral

TikTok may help small and mid-sized brands compete with major companies on the strength of authentic brand engagement, a Capterra survey shows.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 9, 2023

Why CEC Entertainment is extending Peter Piper brand with fast casual concept

A year after opening its first off-premise-only Express units, the company is opening a fast casual version of the brand in Kansas City, Kansas.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 9, 2023

6 ways restaurateurs can fight “Lunchflation” as costs rise

With consumers changing their spending habits, what are some ways restaurateurs can fight inflation?

By Deborah Findling and Kaitlin Keefer • Jan. 9, 2023

Panera expands sandwich line with toasted baguettes

The fast casual chain’s latest menu addition builds on its “warm and hearty” offerings, which include flatbread pizzas and grain bowls. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 6, 2023

Focus Brands to open over 50 multi-branded units this year

The company identified four multi-branded opportunities, including Cinnabon Swirl, its first co-branded Carvel/Cinnabon concept. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 5, 2023

5 trends that will shape the restaurant industry in 2023

Restaurants will experiment with dynamic menu pricing, cater to diners who are trading down and move away from ghost kitchens as inflation pressures the bottom line, experts predict.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Aneurin Canham-Clyne , Julie Littman • Jan. 5, 2023

Starbucks to update rewards program in February

Instead of 50 stars, customers will need to earn 100 stars for a hot coffee or tea, but some items will cost fewer points. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 30, 2022

Franchise spotlight: How various brands are accelerating growth

Franchisors are turning toward entrepreneurs and multi-unit operators to expand their unit counts, and many are building significant pipelines.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 22, 2022

BTIG: Papa Johns’ value menu attracting new base of customers

The Papa Pairings platform, which offers guests $6.99 menu items, is attracting customers earning $60,000 or less annually, according to a BTIG report.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 22, 2022

Consumers are spending more on c-store foodservice as 2022 comes to a close

In the three months ending in November, foodservice sales rose 8% and the number of trips where customers bought food and drinks rose 2%, according to The NPD Group.

By Jessica Loder • Dec. 22, 2022

How Circle K is working with ultrafast delivery firm Food Rocket

The c-store company is treating the startup like one of its business units, while Food Rocket is leaning on the Couche-Tard’s infrastructure to help it grow, executives said.

By Brett Dworski • Dec. 21, 2022

Jack in the Box signs largest deal since relaunching franchising

The 37-unit deal with Cedar Tree Restaurant Group also includes the purchase of 46 existing units across four Southeastern markets. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 21, 2022

Franchise spotlight: Dog Haus to more than triple store count with 100-unit pipeline

The 51-unit hot dog brand is generating 10 to 20 calls from prospective franchisees each day, and expects momentum to continue well into 2024. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 21, 2022