Jack in the Box offers multi-unit franchisees discounted royalty rates

The incentive program, which is available to operators who develop at least three stores, could save franchisees $180,000 per unit, the chain claims.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 17, 2022

7-Eleven reportedly acquires delivery startup, intends to compete with DoorDash

The c-store giant bought Skipcart, which provides same-day and on-demand delivery, according to The Information. 

By Brett Dworski • Aug. 8, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Restaurant Financing

With ongoing macroeconomic pressures facing restaurants, operators are entering into alternative financing, mergers and acquisitions and even bankruptcy to sustain their businesses. 

By Restaurant Dive staff

McDonald's digital sales top $6B across top 6 markets

Digital channels account for about a quarter of the chain’s sales in the U.S.

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 27, 2022

Kitchen United secures $100M

The firm plans to grow from 15 locations to over 500 using malls, shopping centers and supermarkets operated by new investors, Business Insider reports.

By Julie Littman • July 25, 2022

Denny's completes $82.5M acquisition of Keke's Breakfast Cafe

The breakfast chain, which has 52 locations in Florida, is expected to provide expansion opportunities as a complementary concept for Denny’s.

By Julie Littman • July 21, 2022

Chipotle invests in kitchen automation platform Hyphen

The tech firm and mushroom-based protein company Meati are the first recipients of Chipotle’s venture fund Cultivate Next.

By Julie Littman • July 21, 2022

ChowNow CEO: More restaurant tech industry layoffs are coming

The company had one of its best sales months in June, but rising interest rates and more expensive capital has Chris Webb preparing for a financial hurricane.

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 19, 2022

C3 lands more capital to expand further into hotels, stadiums

The virtual restaurant company, which secured $80 million in funding last summer and $10 million in October, said the capital will also allow it to grow into new cities and suburbs.

By Alicia Kelso • July 13, 2022

Ghost Financial injects $100M into food truck manufacturer Cruising Kitchens

The funding supports CK Ghost Kitchens, a new Cruising Kitchens division focused on developing ghost kitchen and food truck licensing agreements with celebrities, influencers and athletes. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 11, 2022

Latent loyalty: How restaurants can improve customer retention and profits through a digital-first loyalty program

Restaurants need the right partners to help them identify customers offering them promotions that lead to increased loyalty.

July 11, 2022

Toast buys Sling to enhance employee scheduling, communications

The purchase will enhance Toast’s Team Management offerings by helping operators pay workers faster and better manage labor costs, Toast said.

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 7, 2022

BurgerFi and Gopuff expand delivery nationwide

Following a 90-day trial in Florida, the companies are bringing BurgerFi’s products to more than 30 Gopuff food halls throughout the U.S.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 7, 2022

Panera terminates agreement with Danny Meyer's SPAC

Due to unfavorable capital market conditions, Panera Brands and USHG Acquisition Corp. ended their relationship Friday. Panera said it will continue to explore a public listing if conditions improve.

By Julie Littman • July 1, 2022

Food benefits platform Sharebite raises $39M

The technology, which enables restaurants to deliver food to corporate clients, will use the funding to grow and launch new products.

By Alicia Kelso • June 29, 2022

Reef pursues ownership stake in pizza concept

Reef's EVP for Kitchens and Brands, Kenneth Rourke, will join the board of 800 Degrees Go, a joint venture between 800 Degrees and robotics company Piestro.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 29, 2022

Gov. Pritzker signs budget deal with $50M for Illinois restaurants

Restaurants and taverns with 50 employees or fewer can snag grants of up to $50,000 if they haven't received RRF grants or other state or local financial aid.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 26, 2022

Activist investor: JET's Grubhub purchase is a 'capital allocation mistake'

Cat Rock Capital Management, which owns 6.9% of shares in Just Eat Takeaway, urged investors to vote against JET's CFO and supervisory board.  

By Julie Littman • April 25, 2022

Most asked questions about sales tax

Sales tax can be a hassle. These are the questions we get asked the most about managing sales tax.

April 25, 2022

Chipotle launches $50M venture fund to access emerging tech

Cultivate Next, which will be funded solely by the chain, will focus on Series B stage companies that can help accelerate Chipotle's strategic priorities.

By Julie Littman • April 19, 2022

Dave & Buster's to buy Main Event for $835M

Following the close of the all-cash transaction, which is expected to occur later this year, Main Event CEO Chris Morris will become Dave & Buster's CEO.

By Julie Littman • April 6, 2022

Howard Schultz suspends Starbucks share repurchase program

The move will let the chain invest more profit into employees and stores "to create long-term value for all stakeholders," Schultz wrote on Monday. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 5, 2022

Surging inflation compelling small businesses to raise prices

Inflation is broad based — flaring in every sector — and will probably persist longer than initially expected, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said.

By Jim Tyson • April 1, 2022

Papa John’s refranchises 90 units in Texas with Sun Holdings

The move will give Sun Holdings, which will open 100 new Papa John's units in Texas by 2029, the scale to support new restaurant development.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 31, 2022

Study: Two-thirds of restaurants hurt by rising gas prices

Restaurant owners say steep prices at the pump have affected their delivery sales, according to Alignable research. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 30, 2022

Red Lobster taps Bloomin' Brands alum as CFO

David Schmidt succeeds Craig Pommels, who left Red Lobster to become CFO of Cracker Barrel in December.

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 14, 2022