Starbucks scraps vaccine, testing requirements for US employees

The coffee chain is still encouraging workers to get inoculated and has increased precautions, including new quarantine measures.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 20, 2022

The manager red book alternative that restaurants love

Running a successful restaurant operation—from 1 to 100 locations—requires rock-solid communication.

Jan. 18, 2022

Starbucks commits to a more diverse supply chain

The chain plans to increase its annual spend with diverse suppliers to $1.5 billion by 2030, nearly doubling its 2021 spend of nearly $800 million.

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 12, 2022

C3 snags Uber Eats' former ghost kitchen chief

Pasha Mehran joins as chief strategy officer, overseeing collaborations with celebrity chef-driven restaurants and ghost kitchen partners, as well as expansion into suburban markets. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 12, 2022

Waitr will rebrand to ASAP, cannabis will be a key focus

The platform's non-restaurant delivery verticals will help it compete against major rivals, CEO Carl Grimstad said at the ICR 2022 Conference Tuesday.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 12, 2022

Kroger takes the next step in testing ghost kitchens

The Kitchen United Mix location at a Ralphs in Los Angeles offers pickup and delivery orders from 10 different restaurants.

By Jeff Wells • Jan. 10, 2022

Papa Johns will open over 1,350 stores in China by 2040

The pizza chain's largest franchisee development deal to date will grow its global unit count by 25% and continue its aggressive expansion push.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 7, 2022

Sweetgreen launches Sweetpass subscription

The salad chain is testing a $10 subscription service where customers can get $3 off a meal every day for 30 days.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 3, 2022

How 2021's restaurant IPOs have performed so far

From Dutch Bros' booming IPO to Krispy Kreme's less-than-stellar initial stock performance, these are the companies that went public this year. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 20, 2021

Darden CEO to retire

Gene Lee, who served as the chief executive for seven years, will step down in May and Rick Cardenas, current president and COO, will take over. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 17, 2021

Behind the scenes of Starbucks workers' first successful union drive

A Buffalo Starbucks store secured a majority union vote on Dec. 9 after two years of organizing. But union experts don't think the win will be "a wildfire sweeping the American labor market."

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 16, 2021

McDonald's claws back $105M from ousted ex-CEO Steve Easterbrook

The settlement brings McDonald's year-long clawback struggle to a close, during which time the company attracted criticism and multiple lawsuits for granting Easterbrook a severance package. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 16, 2021

Starbucks Workers United confident of impending victory at 2nd store

The union believes the final count at a store in Cheektowaga, New York, will be in its favor, claiming six ballots were cast by ineligible voters. The union leads 15-9, with seven total challenges. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 10, 2021

Starbucks workers vote to form union at 1 out of 3 NY stores

At a Buffalo location, the union organizing committee secured a 19 to 8 majority vote in favor of unionization. The Hamburg store voted against unionization, and no definitive results are available yet for its Cheektowaga unit.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 9, 2021

McDonald’s pledges $250M to finance disadvantaged franchisee candidates

The Golden Arches is rolling out a recruitment initiative designed to grow diversity among domestic and international operators. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 9, 2021

California Pizza Kitchen debuts domestic franchising program

Just over a year after the full-service pizza chain emerged from bankruptcy, it has shifted its focus to U.S. growth alongside increased global development.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 9, 2021

Small businesses raise wages at record pace

As inflation rises and "help wanted" signs go unanswered, restaurants are raising wages at the fastest rate in many years.

By Jim Tyson • Dec. 8, 2021

Reef's ghost kitchen expansion mired in permit, health inspection infractions

In the Sunshine State alone, more than one-third of active Reef mobile kitchen licenses had high-level health and safety infractions, Restaurant Dive found.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 2, 2021

Starbucks, Amazon Go open cashierless store concept in NYC

The two plan to open additional stores in 2022, as more retailers experiment with grab-and-go technology. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 19, 2021

Sweetgreen goes public with $364M IPO

The fast casual company, which isn't yet profitable, plans to use technology to increase restaurant-level margins and average unit volumes.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 18, 2021

McDonald's duets with Mariah Carey to celebrate the holidays

In a tie-up with the "All I Want For Christmas Is You" singer, the chain will supercharge its celebrity-powered efforts through 12 days of free items.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 12, 2021

Panera Brands plans to go public

Danny Meyer's special purpose acquisition company, USHG Acquisition Corp., will become a cornerstone investor in Panera Brands and Meyer will invest directly in the company once it goes public. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 9, 2021

P.F. Chang's wants to offer self-delivery nationwide by 2023

Candice Barnett, VP of off-premise dining, discusses how the service is performing and why staffing a delivery fleet is worth it despite labor pressures. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 4, 2021

McDonald's powers up 'Friendsgaming' livestream with FaZe Clan to unite gamers

As part of the event riffing on the Friendsgiving concept, the duo created a merchandise pack of co-branded gaming gear and DoorDash delivery codes.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 2, 2021

Why franchisors are targeting Texas and Florida

A friendly business environment, strong population growth and lax COVID-19 restrictions have made the two states popular for franchise expansion.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 1, 2021