Godiva will shutter or sell its US cafes by the end of March

The chocolatier's plan to close 128 North American cafés comes less than two years after the company announced a strategy to expand its global footprint by 2,000 units. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 26, 2021

Uber lays off 15% of Postmates' employees

Uber has let go of about 185 Postmates staff, with CEO Bastian Lehmann and most of the delivery aggregator's executive team expected to leave the company, The New York Times reports. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 25, 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

DoorDash rides with Daveed Diggs, 'Sesame Street' for first Super Bowl ad

A reimagination of the "People in Your Neighborhood" song from the children's show highlights all the things that people can order via the app.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 25, 2021

Chipotle's debut Super Bowl spot highlights support for local farmers

The ad's themes reflect how Chipotle believes the coronavirus has changed consumer behavior, with a greater importance on community.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 25, 2021

Subway to bring branded products to food retail

After launching Subway Grocery in April, the sandwich chain ventures further into the supermarket space as it partners with Broad Street Licensing Group.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Jan. 22, 2021

Long John Silver's names new CEO

Under Blain Shortreed's leadership, the seafood chain will focus this year on adding menu options, mobile ordering, a rewards program, remodels and setting up locations in new areas.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 20, 2021

How Fogo de Chao, STK balance off-premise with experience

The challenge for both brands was developing solutions that would be robust enough to withstand the pandemic environment without compromising the reason diners visit them in the first place: experience. 

By Emma Liem Beckett , Julie Littman • Jan. 19, 2021

McDonald's is navigating 3 new sexual harassment lawsuits

The cases include allegations of sexual assault and quid-pro-quo harassment. The women claim they were ignored, mocked and retaliated against when they complained. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 15, 2021

Why Chipotle is still hiring while other restaurants shutter

Chipotle has hired thousands during the pandemic thanks to digital growth and a focus on employee benefits, promotions and inclusion.

By Sheryl Estrada • Jan. 15, 2021

White Castle revamps Valentine's Day event with drive-in, carhop service

Fans of the burger chain can book time for a socially distanced date through the OpenTable website or app.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 13, 2021

Fiesta Restaurant Group takes out $75M loan

The addition of the new loan and a reduction of its debt since March will allow the company to exit the economic crisis poised for growth. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 13, 2021

Chipotle aims to fill 15K new positions during national hiring event

The company's "Coast to Coast Career Day" will be held on Jan. 14 and comes as the company plans to open 200 restaurants in the future. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 11, 2021

Checkers & Rally's parent lands $20M in private equity funding

The capital injection from Oak Hill Capital Partners will fuel the chain's five-year expansion plans, which includes 72 new restaurants in its development pipeline.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 11, 2021

NPC International agrees to $801M sale of its Wendy's, Pizza Hut assets

Flynn Restaurant Group will acquire all of NPC's 900-plus Pizza Hut units and half of its 393 Wendy's units, while a consortium of Wendy's franchisees buys the other half. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 7, 2021

Starbucks taps new CFO as Grismer plans to retire

Rachel Ruggeri, senior vice president of finance for Starbucks Americas, will succeed Patrick Grismer, effective Feb. 1. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 7, 2021

Burger King prioritizes digital with first rebrand in more than 20 years

With its all-encompassing visual update, the QSR chain also seeks to demonstrate its improvements to food quality and sustainability.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 7, 2021

Del Taco bulks up off-premise channels with new prototype

The design can be adapted to fit within 1,200 to 2,400 square feet, which will expand site selection options outside of the QSR chain's traditional freestanding drive-thru model.  

By Julie Littman • Jan. 6, 2021

McDonald's stirs up chicken sandwich wars with 3 new entries

The sandwiches fulfill franchisees' demand for competitive new chicken offerings to better compete with Chick-fil-A, which the National Owners Association listed as a top priority in 2019. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 5, 2021

How Sonic Drive-In swapped its iconic pitchmen for a 'pandemic-proof' campaign

Chief marketing officer Lori Abou Habib explains how the QSR shifted its focus from its long-running "Two Guys" to real families — right before COVID-19 upended the year.

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 23, 2020

McDonald’s USA president wants to improve transparency with operators

Joe Erlinger's message comes as tensions over 2021 franchising fees reach a boiling point, with operators agreeing to cut off nonessential communication with corporate and pushing for the formation of a tech co-op. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 23, 2020

Chipotle won't mandate employees to get the coronavirus vaccine

CEO Brian Niccol also told CNBC the company will pay for costs associated with the vaccine and will strongly encourage employees to get it. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 23, 2020

Punch Bowl Social declares bankruptcy after nightmare year for eatertainment

As of Dec. 8, the company was only operating three out of its 14 units with limited capacity. The open venues were losing money on a daily basis and the company has since closed them. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 22, 2020

McDonald’s franchisees calls for tech co-op amid new fees, Restaurant Business reports

The National Owners Association's latest push follows news of a $423-per-month technology investment cost added to operators' plates to cover a $70 million "lag" from the old payment structure.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 22, 2020

Burger King sends customers $1 via Venmo to push new value menu

The $1 Your Way menu features a lineup of Burger King items all priced at $1, including the brand's take on the bacon cheeseburger and its Chicken Jr. sandwich.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 22, 2020

Papa John's to give employees $2.5M in end-of-year bonuses

The additional pay will be awarded to 14,000 team members across the company’s corporate restaurants and supply chain.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Julie Littman • Dec. 22, 2020