California Pizza Kitchen emerges from bankruptcy with significantly less debt

The company is now focused on expanding its global franchise footprint, innovating its menu and investing in marketing and digital, including continued acceleration of its off-premise channels.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 24, 2020

How 13 casual chains are turning sales around

Even though full-service chains' still face an uphill battle, many are seeing positive results from accelerated off-premise initiatives and new offerings that could last even after the pandemic.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 24, 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

Papa John's franchisees adds AI phone technology to streamline operations

The platform combines artificial intelligence with human operators to ensure restaurants don't miss orders, which could deepen customer loyalty. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated May 3, 2021

Wendy’s wants to buy NPC International’s 393 units

The QSR put forth a consortium bid with a group of pre-qualified franchisees a week after it filed an objection to a deal proposed by stalking horse bidder Flynn Restaurant Group. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 19, 2020

&pizza commits to a $15 minimum wage by 2022

The chain has pushed for higher wages since its launch in 2012. This marks one of its many progressive initiatives, including providing raises and extra benefits during the pandemic.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 19, 2020

Zaxby's looks to go national as Goldman Sachs buys 'significant' stake

The partnership will help the chicken chain accelerate growth and enhance the guest experience. A spokesperson said it may potentially eye international expansion as well. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 19, 2020

Starbucks boosts employee pay as US wages rise

The coffee giant will hike wages at least 10% for baristas, shift supervisors and cafe attendants hired on or before Sept. 14. Starting pay will also be raised 5%.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 19, 2020

Pandemic revs up drive-thru design innovations

With drive-thru traffic increasing in the double-digits over the last two quarters, QSRs like Arby's, McDonald's, Burger King, KFC and Taco Bell have developed prototypes that better streamline the channel.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 19, 2020

Wendy's files objections to NPC asset sale to Flynn Restaurant Group

The burger chain said in a court filing that it disapproves of costly break-up fees and Flynn's ownership of two competitors, Panera and Arby's, which would violate Wendy's franchisee agreement. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 17, 2020

Dine Brands taps new CEO

​Though the company's overall performance is slowly recovering, Realogy Franchise Group CEO John Peyton will take the reins of the company at a very delicate point in time.  

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 17, 2020

McDonald's USA hires new chief people officer

Tiffanie Boyd's hiring is the latest in a string of executive shuffling in the chain's HR department, a trend sparked by former CEO Steve Easterbrook's ouster in November 2019.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 16, 2020

Chick-fil-A goes modular with offsite restaurant rebuild

Frey-Moss Structures helped the chain create its first modular restaurant in Roswell, Georgia, in about half the time of a traditional scrape and build.

By Zachary Phillips • Nov. 16, 2020

Lettuce Entertain You warns of over 1K layoffs

The largest hospitality company in Chicago filed notice of potential job losses at 25 restaurants in mid-October, two weeks before Illinois suspended indoor dining in the city. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 16, 2020

Chick-fil-A adds online ordering through its website

Previously, customers could only place orders via the restaurant's website for catering. But after testing the feature in two markets over the summer, the chicken chain is allowing online ordering across its entire system.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 13, 2020

DoorDash launches IPO

The food delivery company's initial public offering stock price is expected to range between $75 and $85 per share. 

By Julie Littman • Updated Nov. 30, 2020

McDonald's plants its flag in the alternative meat space

The QSR giant will start testing its McPlant product line in 2021, but controversy has already arisen over which company is supplying the products.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 11, 2020

Chipotle to open its first digital-only restaurant

The Digital Kitchen concept in Highland Falls, New York, will offer pickup and delivery only and could expand into more urban locations that wouldn't support a full-size restaurant.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 11, 2020

Arby's flips viral TikTok videos into special menu item

Inspiration for the campaign stems from a video of a user saying his new flat-screen TV only displayed a message from Arby's.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 9, 2020

NPC International cancels asset auctions

The move could make it easier for Flynn Restaurant Group to complete its $816 million bid for the company's assets, according to The Wall Street Journal.

By Julie Littman • Updated Dec. 1, 2020

Wendy's taps operations chief as chain shifts focus to digital channels

To create more consistent experiences across its entire footprint, the chain named Deepak Ajmani as its new chief operating officer overseeing both company and franchise locations.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 6, 2020

Uber Eats could reach profitability by next year, CEO says

As Uber Eats diversifies its business with the addition of grocery and pharmacy delivery, gross bookings were up 135% and revenue grew 125%.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 6, 2020

Papa John's continued sales growth attracts lucrative franchisees

The chain reported a revenue increase of 17% year-over-year to $472.9 million for Q3, exceeding Wall Street expectations, and the fifth-consecutive quarter of comparable sales growth. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 5, 2020

Wendy's breakfast, digital drive best same-store sales in 15 years

The QSR chain has plenty of room to grow its morning daypart since consumer awareness of the menu is about 50% and many of its existing customers haven't tried it yet.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 4, 2020

Ghost kitchen provider Reef raises $700M

Reef will use the funding to grow from around 4,800 locations to 10,000, and CEO Ari Ojalvo said ghost kitchens "will be a significant part of non-parking revenue" for the company. 

By Emma Liem Beckett , Julie Littman • Nov. 4, 2020

McDonald's franchisees face more COVID-19 OSHA complaints

Two McDonald's employees in Chicago filed separate OSHA complaints claiming they were pressured to work while sick and that proper coronavirus protections were not followed. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 3, 2020