Coke, McDonald's logos deliver AR content via Snapchat Scan

The visual search feature will allow McDonald's users to unlock three lens by scanning french fry boxes, food trays and burger wrappers.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 20, 2019

British invasion: How LEON plans to dominate — and change — American fast food

The London-based QSR's fresh, quality ingredients have pitted it against U.S. fast casuals, but the chain's founder wants to "reinvent McDonald's" so that it's healthy, sustainable and fun. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 20, 2019

10 of the most impactful restaurant acquisitions of 2019

Restaurants and private equity continued to be active buyers this year as restaurant leaders explored ways to grow amid labor and declining traffic pressures.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 20, 2019

Private equity firm acquires 117 Pizza Hut restaurants

Triton Pacific's purchase comes after the pizza chain made plans to restructure its business to address high debt levels and lack of access to capital.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 19, 2019

Shake Shack in-houses AOR staff

Joining the QSR's marketing team, Agency Within employees will focus on digital experiences such as the recent food delivery deal with Grubhub.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 19, 2019

Subway's executive shuffle continues with 3 more exits

After a new CEO and CMO take the helm, two senior execs are retiring and one is departing due to company restructuring.

By Lauren Manning • Dec. 19, 2019

Chipotle tests pickup windows as part of digital push

The new design will be tested in six restaurants with various formats and include premium placement of built-in pickup areas.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 19, 2019

McDonald's to roll out mobile app payment technology starting in UK

The chain's partnership with Dutch tech company Adyen NV to process mobile app payments furthers the company's focus on technology worldwide. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 18, 2019

Bojangles' to open 40 locations in Love's Travel Stops

The fast food chain, which decreased unit count in recent years, will expand into Illinois, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Mississippi as part of the development deal. 

By Lauren Manning • Dec. 18, 2019

Restaurant transactions down 7% during Thanksgiving

Both casual dining and QSRs logged higher declines of 8%, according to the NPD Group, but hope still remains for a strong holiday season given positive overall economic indicators.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 16, 2019

Blue Bottle, aiming for 'zero waste' in 2020, could eliminate to-go coffee cups

The upscale coffee chain's goals mirror a larger shift as more and more companies target their waste footprints. The no cup pilot will begin in two California locations.

By E.A. Crunden • Dec. 13, 2019

Shift Change: Jack in the Box CEO to depart; McDonald's names international president

This week's Shift Change also highlights executive news from Black Bear Diner, Potbelly, Dunkin' Brands, Garden Fresh Restaurants, Nathan's Famous, Noodles & Company and Pizza Hut. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 13, 2019

WeWork shutters restaurant coworking startup Spacious

Spacious, which turns high-end restaurants into coworking spaces during off-peak times, will close at the end of the year, making it the latest casualty in WeWork’s failed IPO.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 13, 2019

McDonald's lands major labor win in 2-1 ruling

The National Labor Relations Board absolved McDonald's as a joint employer from responsibility for labor violations brought forward in 2012 by Fight for $15 and other labor groups. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 12, 2019

Potbelly CFO departs for Planet Fitness

Four-time CFO Tom Fitzgerald is leaving Potbelly Corp. on Dec. 27 after one year as finance chief; the Chicago-based sandwich chain is searching for a replacement. 

By Jane Thier • Dec. 12, 2019

Cava secures $40M in latest funding round

The company has now raised over $459 million in funding and is worth over $578 million.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 12, 2019

Jack in the Box CEO stepping down

Lenny Comma will exit the fast food chain at an unspecified date after 18 years with the restaurant and six years as chief executive. The chain has no successor in place. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 11, 2019

Chipotle gives away burritos on Instagram

The QSR chain is offering free burritos to the first people who respond by text message to its short-lived Instagram posts.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 11, 2019

IHOP flips into fast casual segment with new concept

The restaurant chain will open Flip'd by IHOP in Atlanta in April, with locations in New York City, Washington D.C., Denver and San Francisco under consideration for next year.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 11, 2019

McDonald's could sell 250M Beyond Meat burgers annually in US, report says

Though the fast food giant is only selling 20 to 30 plant-based burgers per day in its Canadian test, UBS predicts the product would eventually drive strong sales if sold in America.

By Lauren Manning • Dec. 11, 2019

Wendy's outsourcing IT, expects up to $15M restructuring costs

The chain expects severance and related employee costs to be between $8 million and $9 million. 

By Samantha Schwartz • Dec. 11, 2019

Famous Dave's parent grilling up new concepts

BBQ Holdings is opening a new concept in Oklahoma with pitmaster Travis Clark called Clark Crew BBQ as part of its strategy to become a multi-brand company.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 10, 2019

Chicken Salad Chick bought by new private equity firm

The chain grew system sales seven-fold under previous majority owner Eagle Merchant Partners, and plans to roll out 250 new stores in the next five years.

By Lauren Manning • Dec. 9, 2019

Innovator of the Year: Kitchen United

The startup has an aggressive growth plan to open 400 kitchen centers in the next few years, helping launch more delivery-only restaurants and differentiating itself with integrated tech platforms.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 9, 2019

Restaurant of the Year: Chick-fil-A

The QSR's customer service and focus on technology have driven meteoric growth, making it the third-largest U.S. restaurant chain despite negative publicity and city bans. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 9, 2019