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

Explore the 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

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

Emerging technologies call for robust data network

Data-driven decisions will expand beyond sales and staffing applications to guest services, supply-chain logistics and menu development, allowing restaurants to adapt what to sell in real-time as demand dictates.

Nov. 1, 2021

KFC scores new CMO with Nintendo's Nick Chavez

With more than 11 years at Nintendo of America, the executive has deep industry knowledge that reflects the growing importance of gaming and digital to consumer-facing brands.

By Chantal Tode • Oct. 29, 2021

McDonald's workers strike in protest of alleged sexual harassment

The fast food chain has been embroiled in controversy regarding its culture for some time.

By Kathryn Moody • Oct. 28, 2021

Starbucks will raise hourly wage floor to $15 a year ahead of schedule

The coffee chain's U.S. workers will be paid $15 to $23 an hour next summer, with an average of nearly $17. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 28, 2021

How McAlister's plans to become a $1B brand by 2024

Chief Brand Officer Mike Freeman discusses how franchisees are supporting the deli chain's growth goal to reach over 650 units.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 28, 2021

Dig raises $65M to fuel expansion, employee benefits

The vegetable-centric restaurant plans to use the funding to reopen units closed during the pandemic and add locations in new markets, growing from 30 to 60 units in the next three years. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 27, 2021

Zaxby's taps former El Pollo Loco chief as CEO

Bernard Acoca will take the helm of the chicken chain in January, and co-founder and current CEO Zach McLeroy will transition to chairman.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 26, 2021