McDonald's selects TerraCycle's Loop for reusable cup pilot across UK locations

The new partnership is the latest sign of major brands taking greater interest in circular solutions. It also marks an expansion beyond grocery for the ambitious reuse platform.

By Karine Vann • Sept. 11, 2020

Shift Change: Logan's Roadhouse parent hires CEO, Panera appoints COO

This week's Shift Change includes Bojangles adding its first chief people officer, Zaxby's hiring a chief development officer and Popeyes appointing a president for its Americas region.

By Julie Littman , Emma Liem Beckett • Sept. 11, 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

White Castle launches first systemwide loyalty program

The burger chain accelerated its plans to roll out a rewards program to provide more contactless services and grow its digital footprint, White Castle Vice President Jamie Richardson said. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Sept. 10, 2020

Sweetgreen launches curated, online-only menu collections

One menu in this format features orders of culinary stars, including Kwame Onwuachi and Missy Robbins, and others include selections geared toward dietary restrictions and preferences.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Sept. 9, 2020

How Tropical Smoothie's new owner will accelerate growth

Levine Leichtman Capital Partners talks about what drew the firm to the smoothie chain, which has a pipeline of over 500 units, and how its financial resources will support nationwide expansion.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 9, 2020

Chipotle employs TikTok creator cohort to promote group-ordering app feature

As TikTok users join up to form creator houses, Chipotle is early to a trend that reflects its own efforts to target wannabe brand ambassadors.

By Peter Adams • Sept. 8, 2020

Luby's shareholders approve liquidation plan

If the company receives an offer for a corporate transaction that would result in superior value to stockholders, the dissolution plan could be abandoned.

By Julie Littman • Updated Nov. 18, 2020

Chuck E. Cheese parent emerges from bankruptcy protection

The company reduced debt obligations by roughly $705 million, and has more than $100 million of liquidity to fund operations and growth plans.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Jan. 4, 2021

Buffalo Wild Wings sells season passes to feed and entertain NFL fans

The chain returns to experiential marketing with an effort to appeal to customers who are eager to return to normal activities and those who are sticking close to home.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 4, 2020

Potbelly taps Checkers veteran for COO

Adam Noyes joins the sandwich chain during a tough year in which revenues decreased nearly 50% and same-store sales declined in the double-digits.

By Rosie Bradbury • Sept. 2, 2020

27 Black former franchisees join racial discrimination case against McDonald's

The amended complaint now contains 77 named plaintiffs and includes nearly 300 stores with compensatory damages averaging between $4 million to $5 million per location. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Nov. 18, 2020

KFC names first director of equity and inclusion

John Mays' appointment comes less than two weeks after Yum Brands tapped Chequan Lewis as Pizza Hut's first chief equity officer. 

By Rosie Bradbury • Aug. 31, 2020

How 13 casual chains fared during dining room closures

Casual dining restaurants leaned heavily on technology, off-premise and cleanliness standards to try and bring customers back as restrictions eased across the country.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 31, 2020

The Cheesecake Factory rehires majority of 41K furloughed employees

In a sign that business is normalizing, the company is also restoring full pay for corporate and bakery administration employees, who had salaries reduced 10% to 20% in April due to pandemic pressure. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 28, 2020

McDonald's goes toe-to-toe with Wendy's with its spicy McNuggets LTO

The chain will launch the item Sept. 16, about a year after Wendy's brought its spicy nuggets back, which is boosting same-store sales. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 27, 2020

Ruby Tuesday employees left in the dark about restaurant closures

The chain has closed more than 150 restaurants this year and some locations are not notifying employees in advance, Business Insider reports.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 26, 2020

Sex, lies and the C-suite: How McDonald's clawback battle highlights need for strong misconduct policies

Corporate ethics experts feel the chain isn’t doing enough to establish a zero-tolerance policy following news of ex-CEO Steve Easterbrook's inappropriate relationships with female employees.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 26, 2020

KFC drops 'Finger Lickin'' slogan around the globe as hygiene concerns persist

Deeming the 64-year-old catchphrase inappropriate during the pandemic, the brand is expanding a pause as part of its first global campaign.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 25, 2020

Wawa pilots dinner menu

The convenience store is testing items like braised chicken and all-natural Angus burgers across hundreds of stores in six states and Washington, D.C. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 25, 2020

Chipotle accused of shortchanging customers in lawsuit

A complaint claims the chain isn't providing proper change to diners, potentially costing consumers upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 24, 2020

Cracker Barrel snubs activist investor with new board appointment

The casual chain has tapped Gisel Ruiz, who served in executive positions at Sam's Club and Walmart, over Sardar Biglari's nomination of ally Raymond Barbrick.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Sept. 16, 2020

Shake Shack to pay employee bonuses at end of year

The chain ended its 10% bonus pay program for hourly employees on Aug. 19, but will give all of its employees between $250 and $400 depending on position. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 21, 2020

Punch Bowl Social's hospitality push is on hold, new CEO says

John Haywood will focus the eatertainment concept on reopening locations in September, resuming expansion in the spring and surviving "another tough 12 months."

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 20, 2020

Taco Bell is launching a mobile-focused, double drive-thru model in 2021

The QSR's new concept will feature a smaller footprint, a priority pickup lane for diners who order via its app and "bellhops" that will offer tablet ordering at the drive-thru and curbside pickup areas. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 20, 2020

Chipotle managers refused nursing mom pumping breaks, class-action suit alleges

The plaintiff alleged the managers told her she "should have managed her time better before coming into work," in refusing her break time on one occasion.

By Lisa Burden • Aug. 20, 2020