Corporate Operations: Page 3


  • Graphic image of drive-thru system
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    Permission granted by Presto Automation Inc.
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    Presto lays off 18% of staff 4 months after most recent cuts

    Following a pivot away from its tablet business to drive-thru artificial intelligence, the company eliminated 24 corporate roles.

    By March 19, 2024
  • An image of a redesigned Starbucks line.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks, Joshua Trujillo
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    Starbucks adds regional CEOs, eliminates CMO post

    The chain added CEOs for its North America and international divisions to give those regions more autonomy as it pursues its ambitious reinvention plan. 

    By March 19, 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
  • A packet of Krystal's fries.
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    Courtesy of Krystal Restaurants
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    Krystal opening new c-store design with Circle K in North Carolina

    The latest prototype, which is expected to open this fall, features improved diner accessibility and operations flow between the restaurant and its c-store host.

    By March 13, 2024
  • Subway restaurant connected to a Pilot convenience store in Pennsylvania
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    Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
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    Subway franchisees pay $218K for allegedly pocketing employees’ tips

    A DOL investigation found managers and owners illegally participated in employee tip pools and manually adjusted hours to avoid paying overtime.

    By Ginger Christ • March 8, 2024
  • An image of a woman ordering at a drive-thru speaker box.
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    MartinPrescott via Getty Images
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    Presto Automation is risking its business on drive-thru voice AI

    The tech firm wants to spin off its tablet payment business, which generates roughly 90% of its revenue and is losing major clients, to focus on its fledgling drive-thru voice automation tool.

    By March 7, 2024
  • First Watch restaurant
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    Permission granted by First Watch
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    First Watch will enter New England, Las Vegas as EBITDA nears $100M

    After passing $1 billion in sales, the breakfast chain is eyeing new markets where its suburban-first system could insulate it from high development costs.

    By March 6, 2024
  • Golden Corral faces class-action suit over 2023 data breach

    If recent years have made anything clear to HR, it’s that employer databases are prime targets for cybercrime.

    By Ryan Golden • March 4, 2024
  • A person in a coat rides a bicycle holding a red DoorDash bag.
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    Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    DoorDash shifts pay scheme, cuts flexibility in New York City

    DoorDash says its fees in The Big Apple have driven down delivery sales, but the city says data from delivery firms shows steady sales.

    By Updated March 5, 2024
  • A photograph of an Applebee's sign.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Dine Brands hints at US IHOP/Applebee’s dual branding test

    Such units, which have driven strong sales abroad, may offer a solution to Applebee’s weak domestic same-store sales and shrinking footprint.

    By Feb. 29, 2024
  • A general view of a Wendys restaurant on September 15, 2022 in Farmingdale, New York, United States.
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    Bruce Bennett / Staff via Getty Images
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    Wendy’s promotes CTO to CIO role

    As CTO, Matt Spessard led the rollout of Google Vertex AI chatbot capabilities into the drive-thru experience. As CIO, he’ll expand the pilot program. 

    By Matt Ashare • Feb. 28, 2024
  • Wendy’s cups made with 20% ISCC-certified, recycled plastic (on a mass balance basis)
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    Permission granted by Berry Global
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    Wendy’s backtracks on dynamic pricing

    The company said Tuesday that it would not charge higher prices during peak hours. This statement follows widespread consumer backlash on social media in response to mention of a dynamic pricing test in its Q4 earnings call. 

    By Feb. 28, 2024
  • An image of a customer entering a Cava restaurant.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Cava plots ‘3.0’ store design as Q4 revenue soars 52%

    The Mediterranean chain wants to make its restaurants more comfortable and inviting for customers, most of whom order in-store, to bolster sales.

    By Feb. 28, 2024
  • Colin Cochran tells reporters why he thinks Starbucks Workers United will win in Cheektowaga
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    Aneurin E Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Starbucks, union take first steps toward detente

    The entities have agreed on a "path forward" to resolve litigation between the coffee chain and labor group and, eventually, reach a contract.

    By Feb. 27, 2024
  • Three sizes of plastic cups with the green Starbucks logo and plastic lids.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks adds 3 new 2030 sustainability goals for packaging

    The coffee chain named new targets covering recycled content and other metrics for customer-facing packaging in its recent ESG report. But it lost ground on emissions reduction and waste diversion.

    By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 27, 2024
  • A Grubhub courier. Grubhub and Sonesta will offer delivery to 120 extended stay hotels.
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    The image by Elvert Barnes is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    Los Angeles County sues Grubhub over ‘bait and switch’ fees

    The county calls for an injunction against alleged deceptive business practices and for Grubhub to pay fines for possible violations of California’s unfair competition and false advertising laws. 

    By Feb. 23, 2024
  • Aussie Grill by Outback Steakhouse exterior
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    Courtesy of Bloomin' Brands
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    Bloomin’ to shutter 41 underperforming restaurants

    Closures will impact mostly older restaurants with leases dating back to the '90s and 2000s, and were determined through a periodic review of the company’s assets.

    By Feb. 23, 2024
  • Starbucks Workers United members picket outside a Starbucks in Watertown, Ma., on August 1, 2022.
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    Permission granted by Kylah Clay, Starbucks Workers United
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Starbucks union’s student allies stage national day of action against chain

    Demonstrations are slated at 25 major public and private universities Thursday in a bid to push administrators to break ties with the company, or declare solidarity with Starbucks Workers United.

    By Updated Feb. 22, 2024
  • Jim Metevier, Mountain Mike's CEO, looks at the camera.
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    Courtesy of Mountain Mike's Pizza
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    Mountain Mike’s Pizza appoints longtime COO as CEO

    Jim Metevier, who has overseen the pizza brand's operations since 2018, will lead the chain as it looks to grow beyond its West Coast base.

    By Feb. 22, 2024
  • A photograph of a Denny's sign over some trees.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Denny’s is still shrinking

    The chain's system has contracted 9% since 2017, and may shrink again in 2024 as the company forecasts comparable sales growth between 0% and 3%.

    By Feb. 21, 2024
  • An image of a storefront with Auntie Anne's and Jamba branding
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    Permission granted by Focus Brands
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    Focus Brands renames itself GoTo Foods

    The name change is designed to highlight the value its brand portfolio, including Moe’s Southwest Grill, Auntie Anne’s, Carvel and Cinnabon, offers to consumers and franchisees.

    By Feb. 20, 2024
  • A mural in a Washington, D.C., Starbucks designed to highlight the chain's efforts at inclusive spatial design.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks opens first fully accessible store in DC

    The chain will begin adding inclusive design elements, like wide pedestrian pathways and power doors, to all new builds and remodels in the U.S.

    By Feb. 20, 2024
  • tim Hortons drive thru only
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    Courtesy of Tim Hortons
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    Restaurant Brands International targets 40K stores globally by 2028

    The Burger King and Tim Hortons owner plans to grow its global footprint by 9,000 stores by 2028, driven by international development and strengthened home-market performance.

    By Feb. 16, 2024
  • Whataburger's incoming CMO, Scott Hudler
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    Permission granted by Whataburger
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    Whataburger hires CMO

    Scott Hudler joins the chain effective Feb. 21 and has significant experience leading restaurant marketing at Torchy’s Tacos and Dunkin’.

    By Feb. 15, 2024
  • Wendy's is adding English muffin sandwiches to its breakfast menu on Aug. 22.
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    Courtesy of Wendy's
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    Wendy’s to spend $55M on breakfast ads

    The burger chain hopes the marketing push will boost North American sales in the daypart to $6,000 a week per restaurant.

    By Feb. 15, 2024
  • Starbucks Oleato beverages on a gold cloth.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks will launch 3 new beverage platforms in 6 months

    Pressured by boycotts and snacking competition, the coffee chain will look to new drinks to strengthen its dwindling afternoon traffic.

    By Jan. 31, 2024