Corporate Operations

  • Wendy's Global Next Gen store design features a pick-up window for delivery orders and in-store shelving for digital pick-up orders.
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    Courtesy of Wendy's
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    Flynn Group buys 32 more Wendy’s

    The large multi-unit operator now owns about 5% of Wendy’s U.S. store system, plus its Australian and New Zealand master franchises.

    By • Nov. 21, 2024
  • An exterior shot of a Salata store. It's a restaurant with some green umbrellas in front.
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    Courtesy of Salata
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    How Salata plans to triple its store count

    With roughly 100 stores, the salad chain is looking to fill in existing markets, develop its franchisee base and set itself apart from other fast casual brands.

    By • Nov. 14, 2024
  • A photograph of chefs in a kitchen. Explore the Trendline➔
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    sam edwards via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Menu development

    Restaurants big and small are experimenting with their menus to align with the preferences of on-the-go diners and mitigate the impact of rising food costs, supply chain disruption and shrinking consumer discretionary funds. 

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • Wooden seats and tables inside a Cava. In the background there is a make line with digital menu boards.
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava’s winning comp sales streak continued in Q3

    Cava is the clear leader of the Mediterranean fast casual segment, and has had one of the strongest 2024s of any major brand.

    By • Nov. 13, 2024
  • Krispy Kreme doughnuts are displayed in a box.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Krispy Kreme will serve doughnuts in 2K McDonald’s by year’s end

    To support this rapid expansion, Krispy Kreme will boost production at its existing facilities and may work with third-party logistics firms.

    By • Nov. 8, 2024
  • A smiling white man in a blue shirt and a gray jacket with notch lapels.
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    Courtesy of Red Lobster
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    Red Lobster hires Brinker exec as COO

    Larry Konecny joins the seafood chain, which recently emerged from Chapter 11, after a 17-year tenure at Maggiano’s Little Italy.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
  • A TGI Fridays in Miami Beach open during the Coronavirus Pandemic.
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    Boogich via Getty Images
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    Why TGI Fridays filed for bankruptcy

    The casual chain’s fortunes soured this year as scores of stores shut and bondholders took control of its assets, ending a proposed merger.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
  • An image of a a white building with Chipotle signage at night.
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    Permission granted by Chipotle
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    Fast casual chains steam ahead with expansion as other sectors pull back

    Shake Shack, Chipotle and Wingstop are on track to open over 700 units combined this year, while targeting strong sales growth.

    By , • Oct. 31, 2024
  • 7-Eleven
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    Retrieved from Seven & i Holdings.
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    7-Eleven plans 600 stores with new food-focused design by 2027

    The retailer’s newest format features “a larger product assortment and expanded food and beverage offerings,” CEO Joseph DePinto told investors on Thursday.

    By Brett Dworski • Oct. 28, 2024
  • A restaurant sign on an Art Deco building. The restaurant is empty, the sky beside the sign is a cold, harsh blue.
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    Roman Tiraspolsky via Getty Images
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    TGI Fridays has closed 60 stores since September

    The casual dining chain, which may be considering bankruptcy after a failed merger, has closed roughly 100 stores since January. 

    By • Oct. 28, 2024
  • A Dickey's Barbecue Pit
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    Courtesy of Dickey's Barbecue Pit
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    Dickey’s franchisees sue company over inflated financial projections

    Franchisees from Idaho and Ohio say that buildout costs were higher and sales lower than what the barbecue chain initially stated.

    By • Oct. 18, 2024
  • An image of a pink building with a Chuy's sign on the side.
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    The image by Michael Rivera is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Darden wraps up Chuy’s acquisition

    The Tex-Mex chain brings strong unit volumes — about $4.5 million — to Darden, but its same-store sales fell last quarter, like many casual dining brands.

    By • Oct. 14, 2024
  • An image of three Krispy Kreme doughnuts and six in a box.
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    Permission granted by McDonald's/Krispy Kreme
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    McDonald’s tie-up with Krispy Kreme expands to Chicago

    The Golden Arches’ home market starts serving Krispy Kreme doughnuts next week as part of a drive to add the treats to 1,000 of its restaurants this year.

    By • Oct. 11, 2024
  • 7-Eleven
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    7-Eleven shuttering 444 North American stores amid strategic pivot

    The retailer also aims to generate $520 million through sale-leasebacks of an undisclosed number of stores as its parent company slashes its profit forecast and spins off non-core segments.

    By Brett Dworski • Oct. 10, 2024
  • EG Group
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    Retrieved from Cumberland Farms website.
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    EG America reveals 3 new foodservice concepts

    A Cumberland Farms store in Massachusetts is now home to the retailer’s first Alanza Pizza, Burger Baby and Wing Trip locations.

    By Jessica Loder • Oct. 8, 2024
  • A renderite image of a Perkins storefront.
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    Courtesy of Perkins
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    Perkins debuts fast casual unit

    The smaller unit balances Perkins’ traditional fare with breakfast sandwiches and a lighter menu section.

    By • Oct. 7, 2024
  • A farmer holds a coffee plant bearing fruit
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks buys more innovation farms to create climate-proof coffee

    Farmers in Costa Rica and Guatemala will test drones, hybrid crop varieties and more as the company aims to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the region.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 7, 2024
  • A photo of food items in a warming case in either wrappers or boxes. The boxes read "Hatch chicken."
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    Permission granted by Rebel
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    Rebel introduces Hatch Chicken QSR

    The proprietary eatery features a variety of chicken and sides and is expected to expand to 20 additional stores next year.

    By Jessica Loder • Oct. 2, 2024
  • A Chick-fil-A restaurant in New York City.
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    Courtesy of Chick-fil-A
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    Chick-fil-A to open 5 UK restaurants in 2 years

    The chicken chain will spend $100 million in the next decade to make the U.K. its first major international market, starting with restaurants in London, Leeds, Liverpool and Belfast.

    By • Sept. 26, 2024
  • A group of people shaking hands
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    Caiaimage/Martin Barraud via Getty Images
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    Restaurant CEO shakeups continue in September

    The flood of executive changes in August swept into September, as brands dissolved offices, announced transition plans and replaced ousted chiefs.

    By • Sept. 20, 2024
  • BurgerFi franchisee in Alpharetta, Georgia
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    Permission granted by BurgerFi
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    BurgerFi secures funds to operate through bankruptcy

    A court approved $3.5 million in funding from TREW Capital Management, giving the burger brand sufficient cash to operate without closing stores.

    By • Sept. 17, 2024
  • MOD Pizza
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    Permission granted by MOD Pizza
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    Mod Pizza will refranchise corporate stores

    The pizza chain’s new owner, Elite Restaurant Group, is undertaking a comprehensive refranchising effort at the largely company-operated brand.

    By • Sept. 13, 2024
  • A smiling white man in a suit. He's wearing a jacket with peaked lapels and no tie, for what it's worth.
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    Permission granted by Starbucks
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    Starbucks CEO’s 4-part strategy hinges on coffeehouse roots

    In a letter to workers and consumers, Brian Niccol laid out a multipart strategy for revitalizing the chain’s core business in the U.S.

    By • Sept. 10, 2024
  • An image of an indoor mini golf course with neon lighting
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    Permission granted by Puttshack
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    Puttshack enters Minnesota with planned mini golf center

    The eatertainment chain’s expansion could indicate vitality for the sector, which has seen layoffs and disappointing sales at some brands in recent weeks.

    By • Sept. 10, 2024
  • An image of a man standing in front of a gray background.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Deep Dive

    Brian Niccol was hired to transform Starbucks. Is that possible?

    Niccol must contend with the coffee chain’s growing brand identity and consumer perception problems, and balance its “third place” value proposition with efficient digital fulfillment.

    By • Sept. 9, 2024
  • An image of Pinstripes
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    Courtesy of Pinstripes
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    Pinstripes warns of corporate layoffs as losses mount

    This workforce reduction is part of the chain’s plan to save $4 million in corporate costs, and follows a series of venue-level cost cutting measures.

    By • Sept. 5, 2024