Red Robin's investor fight symptom of a changing Wall Street

The casual dining company is just one of many under the microscope of shareholders lately, and more will likely be next.

By Julie Littman • July 22, 2019

Private equity firm triples investment with Jack's Family Restaurants sale

Onex Group is in the process of selling the casual dining chain, reportedly receiving $835 million in proceeds from the transaction compared to its original investment of $234 million.

By Alicia Kelso • July 22, 2019

Shift Change: Luby's, Checker's & Rally's boost IT teams

This week's Shift Change highlights new executives at Rave Restaurant Group, Freshii, QDOBA, Checker's & Rally's and Luby's. 

By Julie Littman • July 19, 2019

Impossible Foods shortage ends — for now

Even though the plant-based meat manufacturer has stepped up operations on multiple fronts, another shortage could occur if demand were to spike.

By Lauren Manning • July 19, 2019

Cooper's Hawk confirms investment by Ares Management

Cooper's Hawk CEO Tim McEnery said the new investment from the private equity firm will help accelerate growth. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated July 24, 2019

Despite plant-based boom, beef burgers still reign supreme

While consumers ordered 228 million plant-based burgers at QSRs, up 10% from last year, 6.4 billion beef burgers were served in the same time period.

By Lauren Manning • July 18, 2019

McDonald's to test plastic-free toys in British Happy Meals

Following a petition with nearly 400,000 supporters, the fast food chain says it's exploring ways to reduce plastics in the U.K., but has yet to commit to similar goals in the U.S. 

By Julie Littman • July 18, 2019

Restaurant industry to hire former inmates to ease labor shortage

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation received a $4.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to develop model training and job placement programs for young adults who are currently or were recently incarcerated. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 15, 2019

Starbucks rolls out express store in China

The new stripped-down format, which is focused on delivery and mobile orders, will better position the coffee chain against its growing competitor Luckin.

By Lauren Manning • July 15, 2019

Shift Change: Papa John's taps new chief restaurant operations officer

This week's Shift Change also highlights executives at &pizza, Bonchon, REGO Restaurant Group and CraftWorks Holdings. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 12, 2019

Subway to remodel 10,500 stores by 2020

With the help of the sandwich chain's $100 million grant program, 40% of its franchised restaurants will be upgraded by the end of next year.

By Lauren Manning • July 12, 2019

Brinker to acquire 116 franchised Chili's restaurants

The restaurant company plans to buy the stores, which generate $300 million in revenue per year, from Louisville, Kentucky-based ERJ Dining.

By Alicia Kelso • July 11, 2019

Crate & Barrel to add restaurant concept to up to 15 stores

Table at Crate opened in Chicago in July and did so well that CEO Neela Montgomery wants to expand its partnership with Cornerstone Restaurant Group.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Sept. 17, 2019

Oregon governor signs laws banning plastic bags, straws

Legislation signed by Gov. Kate Brown last month is the latest in a series of statewide plastic reduction measures to pass this year.

By Cole Rosengren • July 9, 2019

Burger King Sweden dares customers to order its plant-based menu items

The burger chain’s "50/50 menu" gives customers a random chance to receive regular meat patties or plant-based alternatives.

By Robert Williams • July 8, 2019

Taco Bell resolves tortilla shortage

A sudden shortage from a supplier had left restaurants without 10-inch tortillas and scrambling to offer menu alternatives. 

By Julie Littman • Updated July 12, 2019

Starbucks and Amazon partner on soccer documentary

The deal further cements the coffee chain's storytelling ambitions, which has included other productions like "Hingakawa" and "To Be Human."

By Dianna Christe • July 3, 2019

Shift Change: Pret A Manger CEO retires

This week's Shift Change highlights new executives at Pret A Manger, Roy Rogers and the National Restaurant Association. 

By Julie Littman • July 3, 2019

Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods: First mover advantage in a rapidly growing market

Since its IPO in May, the price for shares in the company known for its plant-based burgers have taken off. Jeff Robards of Alantra looks at the two giants in the space and their potential future performance.

By Jeff Robards • July 2, 2019

McDonald's dishes out QR-enabled picnic blankets for hot spot delivery

By scanning a code on the blanket, smartphone users in Sweden send their location to their food-delivery service of choice.

By Robert Williams • July 2, 2019

Hooters of America sold to 2 private equity firms

Nord Bay Capital and TriArtisan Capital, which just bought P.F. Chang's, are acquiring the chain as it continues to struggle with brand perception, sales declines and unit reduction. 

By Julie Littman • July 2, 2019

Franchisees accuse Subway of rigging inspections to shutter stores

The chain's operators claim that it forced them out of business following infractions as minor as a hand print on a window, only to have their stores taken over by competing franchisees.

By Alicia Kelso • July 1, 2019

MOD Pizza's early cloud start supports rapid expansion

Having the foundation of the cloud, years before the cloud boom, gave MOD a head start when it came time to scale.

By Samantha Schwartz • July 1, 2019

FAT Brands to expand via ghost kitchens, CEO says

The strategy could help grow Fatburger's delivery footprint and boost sales for its franchisees by cooking burgers at sister brand locations, CEO Andy Wiederhorn said.

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 1, 2019

Shift Change: Yum Brands appoints new CFO, Famous Dave's hires director of marketing

This week's Shift Change highlights new executives at Yum Brands, Famous Dave's, Umami Burger and more. 

By Julie Littman • June 28, 2019