Chipotle could exceed $2.5B in digital sales in 2020

The fast casual chain's digital sales grew just over 200% to $776 million during the third quarter and made up nearly half of total sales. So far this year, digital sales are almost $2 billion.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 22, 2020

Wisconsin Applebee's franchisee is latest to file Chapter 11

The franchisee, which operates 25 units, was appointed a receiver last week, but instead chose to file for bankruptcy to keep its restaurants open and 600 employees on the job. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 20, 2020

Shift Change: BurgerFi hires CEO

This week's Shift Change also highlights a new chief marketing officer at Qdoba and the retirement of Starbucks' chief partner officer. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 16, 2020

Sun Holdings acquires bankrupt IHOP locations

Sun Holdings subsidiary Suncakes LLC bought 41 out of 49 IHOP locations from CFRA Holdings, which filed for bankruptcy in May. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 16, 2020

Jack in the Box serves up plant-based, 'unchicken' sandwich

The chain is the latest QSR to add an alternative protein item to their menu, which appeals to the growing flexitarian trend and can help drive diner interest and traffic. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 16, 2020

Chipotle adds HBCU to its education benefit

The retention rate for program participants is three and a half times higher than that of others, the company said.

By Sheryl Estrada • Oct. 15, 2020

Starbucks to hold execs accountable for new racial diversity goals

The company aims to have 30% representation for Black, indigenous and people of color at the corporate level and 40% at the retail and manufacturing level by 2025.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 15, 2020

McDonald's sued over alleged harassment of Black workers, diners

The three plaintiffs, who worked at an Illinois restaurant, claim the location's general manager called Black employees and diners "ghetto" and retaliated against Black workers through hour reductions and termination.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 14, 2020

Wendy's coupon gets more valuable with each retweet

The coupon on Twitter was retweeted 10.8K times, translating to customers receiving 30% off a breakfast order on the Uber Eats app through Friday morning.

By Robert Williams • Updated Oct. 14, 2020

Starbucks partners with Lyft to drive employees to vote

The coffee chain's 200,000 U.S. employees will receive a free, one-way ride worth up to $75 to the polls on Election Day.

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 7, 2020

Ruby Tuesday emerges from bankruptcy

The chain plans to continue developing virtual, delivery-only brands to leverage its growing off-premise business and support its long-term growth strategy. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Feb. 25, 2021

McDonald's continues celebrity menus with reggaeton's J Balvin

With drive-thru, digital and delivery businesses bright spots during an otherwise tough period, the chain further targets young, digitally savvy diners.

By Aaron Baar • Oct. 6, 2020

Papa John's taps Target exec as new CFO

Ann Gugino "brings deep experience in the consumer and retail sector, including driving demand and profitability across digital and traditional commerce at Target," Papa John's president and CEO Rob Lynch said.

By Jane Thier • Oct. 6, 2020

Shift Change: Panera hires chief customer officer, McDonald's taps new chief global impact officer

This week's Shift Change also includes Qdoba's VP of franchise development hire and Golden Chick's new chief marketing officer. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 2, 2020

P.F. Chang's extends temporary layoffs for up to 5,800 workers

The chain filed WARN notices to inform workers if their hours were cut by over 50% for 6 months or more. Restaurant Dive found notices in 20 states, and the majority of the filings noted up to 75 impacted employees per store. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Oct. 2, 2020

Taco Bell sets up personalized taco gifting service ahead of holiday rush

Available through Taco Bell's website and app, the feature will be permanent, showing the chain's continued bets on loyalty innovations.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 1, 2020

McDonald's creates new team with hire of chief global impact officer

Katie Bierne Fallon's appointment helps the company build on its goal to create a more gender-balanced C-suite, particularly as it deals with ongoing controversy around its former CEO. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 1, 2020

Inspire Brands invests in POS integration platform ItsaCheckmate

The tech will help Arby's parent company streamline operations across its systems, the majority of which manually adds food orders from multiple channels to its POS platform.  

By Emma Liem Beckett • Sept. 30, 2020

McDonald's expands youth skills training program

The company's youth initiative efforts come as the restaurant chain aims to improve workplace culture.

By Sheryl Estrada • Sept. 29, 2020

Darden sheds 11% of support staff as part of a 'strategic restructure'

The job cuts, which include the elimination of COO David George's position, are expected to save between $25 million and $30 million annually.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 25, 2020

Shift Change: CKE Restaurants, Domino's hire CTOs

This week's Shift Change also includes Del Taco's creation of a vice president of marketing technology role, Taco John's new chief operating officer and Church's Chicken's vice president of finance.  

By Julie Littman • Sept. 25, 2020

Domino's promotes CTO, restructures tech unit as CIO retires

Kelly Garcia will replace EVP and CIO Kevin Vasconi, who is retiring Oct. 2, the company announced Monday.

By Roberto Torres • Sept. 23, 2020

Sizzler USA is the latest casual chain to declare bankruptcy

The family dining restaurant plans to complete the process within 120 days, which it says will not impact its franchisees. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 22, 2020

Dunkin' CFO: Company's westward expansion 'key' to future development

Dunkin's decision to remain open as competitors closed and to open new branches in the South and West have positioned it well for the future, its CFO said Tuesday.

By Jane Thier • Sept. 18, 2020

Burger King puts Whopper recipe on wrappers as part of 'real food' push

Following efforts centered on moldy burgers and cow farts, the QSR is trying a simple and direct approach to market its "clean food" menu.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 18, 2020