Jack in the Box latest restaurant chain to name new CFO

Timothy Mullany will be filling the role after a six-month search, following a string of CFO departures at Cracker Barrel, Taco Bell and Papa John's. 

By Jane Thier • Dec. 21, 2020

Emerging from bankruptcy, California Pizza Kitchen hires new CFO

Judd Tirnauer will lead CPK's financial restructuring strategy, focus on growth opportunities, and oversee the accounting and finance teams.

By Jane Thier • Dec. 17, 2020

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

Luby's sells 13 Fuddruckers locations to franchisee

The agreement with Black Titan Holdings is part of Luby's plan to sell its assets and liquidate and dissolve Luby's, Inc. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 17, 2020

Luckin Coffee hit with $180M SEC fine

The company misstated earnings and revenue to suggest it was achieving rapid growth and increased profitability when it wasn't, the Securities and Exchange Commission says in its settlement agreement. 

By Robert Freedman , Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 17, 2020

Sweetgreen will open its first drive-thru in 2021

The test location will feature dedicated parking spots where diners can order from intercoms. Customers who want to eat on-premise can dine in their cars or at an outdoor patio area. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 17, 2020

McDonald’s USA president calls for end of corporate communication freeze, Restaurant Business reports

Joe Erlinger called on franchisees in a video Thursday to end a six-week halt in nonessential communication with corporate, which was incited by frustration over new fees and the end of a Happy Meal subsidy. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Jan. 22, 2021

Cracker Barrel CFO to retire

The casual chain has appointed Doug Couvillion, its senior vice president of sourcing and supply chain, as Interim CFO effective upon Jill Golder's Dec. 31 retirement. 

By Jane Thier , Julie Littman • Dec. 15, 2020

Postmates joins Uber, DoorDash in bankrolling driver benefits in CA with price hikes

The aggregators are rolling out customer fees to help pay for healthcare subsidies, mileage reimbursement and occupational insurance they promised in winning ballot measure Proposition 22. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Jan. 20, 2021

Domino's to offer over $9.6M in bonuses to 11,500 employees

During December, company-owned restaurant and supply chain workers will receive up to $1,200 in extra compensation.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 14, 2020

Panera, Pepsi bite into virtual pizza party trend

Starring comedian King Bach, the push spoofs pandemic-spurred trends like virtual parties and cocktail hours on videoconferencing services such as Zoom.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 14, 2020

Starbucks expects to have 55K locations within 10 years

During an investor event this week, Starbucks said it plans to add about 22,000 new units by 2030, with China identified as its priority growth market. 

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 11, 2020

Fat Brands to merge with Fog Cutter Capital Group

The Johnny Rockets owner says the agreement to combine with its controlling stockholder will provide the company with more financial flexibility and simplify its corporate structure. 

By Julie Littman • Updated Dec. 11, 2020

All US Starbucks employees to make at least $15 an hour in 3 years

The company's latest commitment follows an announcement to begin increasing pay by at least 10% starting Dec. 14.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 10, 2020

Taco Bell CFO moves to Qdoba after 6 months

Leviathan Winn, who spent the bulk of his career in investment banking before stepping in as Taco Bell's global CFO in May, was named Qdoba's finance chief Monday. 

By Jane Thier • Dec. 9, 2020

DoorDash valued at $39B after IPO

By selling 33 million shares at $102 a piece, the food delivery company would raise nearly $3.4 million and become the second largest IPO of the year.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 9, 2020

Executive of the Year: Rob Lynch, Papa John's

Lynch vaulted the pizza chain from a culture crisis left by founder John Schnatter to a path to growth marked by menu innovation, a marketing reset and deep franchisee support.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 9, 2020

Company of the Year: Chipotle

While its digital platform has become a major driver of sales during the pandemic, the company's shifting menu innovation and marketing strategies continue to help boost brand awareness and sales.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 9, 2020

The Restaurant Dive Awards for 2020

From Chipotle to DoorDash, these are the companies and executives that led restaurant industry innovation in a time of crisis.

By Restaurant Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

Papa John's cooks up a supplier diversity program from scratch

A top-down mandate and good data are essential ingredients in a successful effort to diversify suppliers, said the pizzamaker's director of diversity, equity and inclusion.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 8, 2020

KFC gets steamy with Lifetime movie starring Mario Lopez as Col. Sanders

"A Recipe For Seduction" ties to a promotion with Uber Eats, as the marketer looks to link an ambitious original content play with commerce.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 7, 2020

McDonald's the latest restaurant chain to accuse Tyson, Pilgrim's Pride of price fixing

The fast-food giant joins other restaurants, CPG companies, grocery chains and distributors who have levied similar changes against the chicken processors.

By Lillianna Byington • Updated April 8, 2021

McDonald’s US franchisees to shoulder more costs, Bloomberg reports

The fast food chain is ending a $300-per-month subsidy it pays each franchisee and is shifting operators to a "pay as you go" model for tech investment, and operators told Restaurant Businesses these changes caught them by surprise. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 4, 2020

Smashburger settles racial harassment claims

The agreement calls for the restaurant to revise its anti-discrimination policies and implement training for supervisors, management and HR.

By Lisa Burden • Dec. 4, 2020

Cheesecake Factory pays $125K SEC fine over 'misleading' COVID-19 disclosures

The agency claims the chain reported in regulatory filings it was "operating sustainably," but didn't disclose it was burning $6 million in cash per week.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 4, 2020

Fast casual Saladworks opens in a Cincinnati Kroger

The salad chain has opened 22 stores over the first half of 2020 despite the pandemic, leaning into more unconventional locations, including supermarkets and military bases.

By Rosie Bradbury • Nov. 25, 2020