Corporate Operations: Page 10


  • An image of a Starbucks sign
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks appoints litigator to general counsel

    Brad Lerman brings over 30 years of legal and regulatory experience in the public and private sectors to his position at the coffee giant. 

    By April 13, 2023
  • Burger King gets a fresh look
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    Meridian closes 23 Burger Kings in bankruptcy

    Burger King’s U.S. franchisees have closed at least 49 units this year as the brand’s turnaround efforts are restrained by macro-economic problems.

    By April 12, 2023
  • smoothie king logo
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    Courtesy of Smoothie King
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    Playa Bowls poaches Smoothie King COO for CEO

    Dan Harmon brings decades of franchising and operational experience from his tenure at chains including McDonald’s, Papa Murphy’s and Potbelly. 

    By April 11, 2023
  • A photograph of a standalone Chipotle around dusk.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle tests an environmentally ‘responsible’ store design

    Chipotle’s new store design will feature all-electric equipment and be powered by renewable energy, the chain says.

    By April 11, 2023
  • A photograph of a Wienerschnitzel building
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    Courtesy of Wienerschnitzel
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    Wienerschnitzel targets 500 units after years of flat growth

    By offering sizable incentives and highlighting a simple menu and operations, Wienerschnitzel hopes to resume franchise expansion.

    By April 10, 2023
  • An image of a Johnny Rockets counter.
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    Fat Brands stacks board with Wiederhorns

    The restaurant company has fired all but one of its directors and replaced them with a slate of new candidates, including three of Andrew Wiederhorn's kids.

    By April 7, 2023
  • McDonald's Q1 Earnings Up On Higher Menu Prices, Overseas Growth
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s to close US field offices, consolidate support teams

    The Golden Arches will shift its national support field teams to remote work, enabling it to close regional offices in eight states, per Restaurant Business.

    By Updated April 7, 2023
  • An exterior image of a restaurant with glass windows and a sign that says sweetgreen.
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    Retrieved from Sweetgreen/BusinessWire on August 10, 2022
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    Sweetgreen renames burrito bowl following Chipotle suit

    Marketing and social media interactions for Sweetgreen’s new Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl are at the heart of the lawsuit against the salad chain.

    By Updated April 6, 2023
  • A picture of the leadership of Port of Subs.
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    Courtesy of Port of Subs
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    Port of Subs acquired by private equity firm

    Area 15 Ventures looks to grow franchise sales in its portfolio, which includes Daddy’s Chicken Shack alongside Port of Subs, by 140% in 18 months.

    By April 4, 2023
  • Burger King gets a fresh look
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    Burger King franchisee bankruptcies may signal more QSR trouble

    The bankruptcy of two major Burger King operators laid bare the problems facing franchisees. But at Burger King, the worst may be over.

    By March 31, 2023
  • An image of six restaurant CEOs
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    Courtesy of Modern Restaurant Market, True Food Kitchen, The Habit Burger, Starbucks, CKE Restaurants, Restaurant Brands International
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    Who’s who: Meet the newest CEOs of the restaurant industry

    Chains like Starbucks, Restaurant Brands International, CKE Restaurants and True Food Kitchen gained new leadership during Q1.

    By March 29, 2023
  • An exterior image of a white restaurant with a yellow decoration and signs that say Church's Chicken
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    Courtesy of Church's Chicken
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    Church’s Texas Chicken creates VP of strategy and growth position

    Neel Patel, formerly of McKinsey, will oversee the brand’s strategic planning. He previously worked on strategy and analytics for the restaurant.

    By March 28, 2023
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    yaoinlove via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s is the latest QSR to embrace geofencing

    The feature is designed to improve speed of service for mobile orders and streamline the order preparation process for McDonald’s workers. 

    By March 28, 2023
  • Barista at Luckin Coffee shop.
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    Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Luckin Coffee’s ‘revenue reckoning’ takeaways

    The Beijing-based chain was initially viewed as a kind of David poised to take on the Goliath of the coffee world — Starbucks — in China.

    By Maura Webber Sadovi • March 23, 2023
  • A photograph of John Williams, CEO at True Food Kitchen.
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    Permission granted by True Food Kitchen
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    True Food Kitchen appoints Lazy Dog exec as CEO

    John Williams joins the 43-unit, wellness-focused chain as it looks to grow and open a new fast casual concept to reach new customers. 

    By March 23, 2023
  • A promotional image for KFC's new chicken nuggets.
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    KFC nuggets open new front in chicken wars

    The nuggets will be available nationwide on March 27 following “wildly successful” market tests in North Carolina. 

    By March 23, 2023
  • A Chick-fil-A restaurant is seen on July 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Chick-fil-A plans distribution center in Kansas City

    The facility, owned by the restaurant chain’s distribution subsidiary, will be its fifth U.S. location.

    By Alejandra Carranza • March 22, 2023
  • A customer scans his palm with an Amazon One device at a Panera cafe.
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    Courtesy of Panera
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    Panera tests Amazon One palm scanners at 2 cafes

    Panera will expand the tech to between 10 and 20 cafes depending on the reception of the initial test, which links Amazon’s palm scanning technology to its loyalty program.

    By March 22, 2023
  • Starbucks workers on strike outside a Seattle Starbucks in June 2022.
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    Christopher Doering/Restaurant Dive
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Starbucks union welcomes CEO with 115-store strike

    Laxman Narasimhan faces a nationwide demonstration of Starbucks Workers United members, who are urging for cooperation, one day before the chain’s annual shareholder meeting.

    By March 22, 2023
  • A photograph of Shannon Hennessy, CEO of Habit Burger
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    Courtesy of Habit Burger Grill
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    Habit Burger promotes Shannon Hennessy to CEO

    Hennessy, who has been president since July 2022, succeeds Russ Bendel, who will retire from the chain effective June 6.

    By , March 21, 2023
  • An image of a man wearing a suit.
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    Retrieved from Starbucks on September 01, 2022
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    Howard Schultz leaves Starbucks 13 days early

    Laxman Narasimhan takes the CEO post just three days before Starbucks’ annual shareholder meeting and a week and a half before Schultz is scheduled to appear before the Senate labor committee.

    By March 20, 2023
  • An image of CKE Restaurants CEO Max Wetzel
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    Courtesy of CKE Restaurants
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    CKE names former Papa Johns COO as CEO

    Max Wetzel joins the parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s after working at Papa Johns for over three years in various executive positions. 

    By March 17, 2023
  • A portrait photograph of Tabassum Zalotrawala, McDonald's incoming US chief development officer.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s hires Tabassum Zalotrawala as chief development officer

    Zalotrawala, who resigned from Chipotle earlier this week, will lead McDonald’s effort to accelerate U.S. store development and unit growth.

    By March 15, 2023
  • Several vegan cinnamon rolls topped with fruit and frosting.
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    Courtesy of Cinnaholic
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    Cinnaholic debuts points-based loyalty program

    The 82-unit cinnamon roll brand plans to open 25 units in 2023, and is offering customers a number of minor rewards to incentivize enrollment.

    By March 14, 2023
  • An image of a a white building with Chipotle signage at night.
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    Permission granted by Chipotle
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    Chipotle’s chief development officer departs

    Tabassum Zalotrawala, who has been at the fast casual chain for over four years and helped develop the Chipotlane, has resigned from her position. 

    By Updated March 14, 2023