Operations

  • A close up image of yellow orange menus in a holder.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Sardar Biglari wants Cracker Barrel CEO out

    The longtime shareholder and activist investor said highly publicized missteps over the company’s rebrand betrayed Cracker Barrel’s heritage and turned loyal fans against it.

    By • Sept. 19, 2025
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    Retrieved from Fast Stop.
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    Fast Stop CEO acquires 9 locations for new QSR concept

    The restaurants will feature the c-store chain’s Cajun-inspired fast food menu, which includes fried chicken, seafood, po boys and southern sides.

    By Brett Dworski • Sept. 19, 2025
  • Homeroom Restaurant in Oakland, California Explore the Trendline➔
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    Permission granted by Homeroom
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    Trendline

    Independent restaurants

    Dining room refreshes, menu innovation and other unique offerings can help independents stand out from competitors, win new customers and keep existing ones coming back. 

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • A night image of people sitting at tables at a patio in a restaurant
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    benedek via Getty Images
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    How restaurants can prepare for the holiday rush

    Operators can take advantage of increased catering demand and large holiday party orders if they can craft festive meals and experiences despite high food costs and labor challenges.

    By Danielle McLean • Sept. 18, 2025
  • A photograph of a menu with Cracker Barrel branding
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Cracker Barrel forecasts 8% traffic drop from logo backlash

    The chain saw 5.4% same-store sales growth in the quarter, but its recent logo controversy derailed ongoing performance improvements.

    By • Sept. 18, 2025
  • An iamge of a stoneworked building with a white logo that says Olive Garden. A woman wearing a white shirt and red bandana is at the door about to enter the restaurant.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Olive Garden’s affordability focus drives same-store sales boost

    During fiscal Q1, the chain saw a boost in sales and traffic from customers across all income levels.

    By • Sept. 18, 2025
  • A car at a window picking up an order from a restaurant
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    Permission granted by Salad and Go
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    Salad and Go to close 41 restaurants

    The drive-thru salad chain, which doubled its store count in two years, will focus on more disciplined growth under new CEO Mike Tattersfield.

    By • Sept. 17, 2025
  • An image of a small restaurant with people gathered around. Thereis 7 Brew signage.
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    Permission granted by 7 Brew
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    Major 7 Brew franchisee bought by Franchise Equity Partners

    7 Crew, a 50-store operator with plans to open another 200 locations, will grow primarily in Texas, Florida, Oklahoma and New Mexico with FEP’s backing.

    By • Sept. 17, 2025
  • A photograph of a yellow sign with Denny's in red.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Denny’s targeted by activist investor

    JCP Investment Management previously targeted Red Robin and The Cheesecake Factory and wants to boost shareholder value at the chain, which suffers from declining same-store sales.

    By • Sept. 16, 2025
  • A Chuck E. Cheese sign.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Chuck E. Cheese heads to the UK

    The eatertainment chain joins the likes of Raising Cane’s, Dave’s Hot Chicken and Chick-fil-A by expanding into Europe amid strong consumer demand for U.S. restaurant chains. 

    By • Sept. 15, 2025
  • An image of Quarter Pounder, fries and a drink from McDonald's
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s launches $200M grassland conservation initiative

    The sustainability project doubles as a long-term investment in U.S. beef supply chains, as tariffs on major beef producers loom.

    By • Sept. 15, 2025
  • Happy cook preparing food while working in the kitchen in restaurant.
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    shutterstock.com/Drazen Zigic

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    Sponsored by Prime Shrimp

    The Modern Mise En Place: Why smart restaurants are embracing streamlined food solutions

    Smart restaurants are using curated, pre-prepped foods to boost consistency, profit, and quality.

    Sept. 15, 2025
  • An image of a beige brick buidling with a logo that says Black Rock Coffee Bar
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    Retrieved from Black Rock Coffee Bar on September 12, 2025
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    Black Rock Coffee raises nearly $300M in IPO

    The 158-unit chain is the first major coffee brand to go public since Dutch Bros debuted on the stock exchange in 2021.

    By • Sept. 12, 2025
  • An image of a digital menu board that says "Extra Value Meals are back" on the other panel there is a photo of an egg sandwich and a $5.
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    Permission granted by McDonald's
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    Value menu traffic rose 1% in Q2: Circana

    Foodservice traffic otherwise fell by 1% during the quarter, revealing how various deals and offers are helping bring customers back.

    By • Sept. 12, 2025
  • A photo of the interior of a RaceTrac site.
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    Courtesy of RaceTrac
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    RaceTrac fills a key gap with Potbelly acquisition

    The fast-growing regional chain isn’t known as a foodservice destination. That could all change quickly with this latest deal, experts said.

    By Jeff Wells • Sept. 11, 2025
  • A collection of four different sandwiches on top of apper that has the Subway logo.
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    Permission granted by Subway
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    Subway resurrects Fresh Fit menu

    The latest iteration of the health-focused menu, which debuted in 2007, combines protein-rich options and vegetables to create low-calorie meals.

    By • Sept. 11, 2025
  • An image of a breakfast sandwich, coffee and hashbrowns on a table
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    Permission granted by Portillo's
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    Portillo’s cuts projected openings, breakfast pilot

    The fast casual chain will focus on core markets and simplify operations as pricing and promotional problems weigh on same-store sales.

    By • Sept. 10, 2025
  • An image of a building with Cracker Barrel branding
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    Courtesy of Cracker Barrel
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    Cracker Barrel halts remodels after logo backlash, lackluster test

    The chain only remodeled four stores before deciding to discontinue its reimage efforts, which drew the ire of loyal customers. 

    By • Sept. 10, 2025
  • Exterior of a Potbelly restaurant
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    Potbelly sold to RaceTrac for $566M

    The sandwich shop said its acquisition by the c-store retailer will help it reach its 2,000-unit goal.

    By • Updated Sept. 10, 2025
  • An image of Pinstripes
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    Courtesy of Pinstripes
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    Pinstripes goes bankrupt

    The eatertainment chain, whose founder dreamed of reaching 150 units, is now down to eight after traffic and spending declines pressured liquidity.

    By • Sept. 10, 2025
  • A smiling white man in a suit. He's wearing a jacket with peaked lapels and no tie, for what it's worth.
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    Permission granted by Starbucks
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    By the numbers: Starbucks’ first year under CEO Brian Niccol

    What’s changed 12 months after the chain’s dramatic restaurant leadership shakeup? The numbers reveal a mix of store growth, declining comp sales and continued labor strife. 

    By • Sept. 9, 2025
  • A rendering of a bagel shop.
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    Courtesy of Einstein Bros. Bagels
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    Einstein Bros. Bagels elevates store template

    The bagel chain is the latest restaurant brand to prioritize warmth and a separation between digital pickup and in-store channels in its store design. 

    By • Sept. 9, 2025
  • A portrait of Sean Tresvant, Taco Bell's incoming CEO.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Yum prepares for CEO swap with more exec changes

    As Chris Turner prepares to take over Yum, Taco Bell’s parent company promoted three leaders, including a CFO, and will add a chief scale officer role.

    By • Sept. 9, 2025
  • A photograph of a sign with black letters that says "Waffle House." Each letter is in a box with a yellow background.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Waffle House expands DoorDash delivery partnership nationwide

    While delivery will be available from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. from Waffle House’s digital channels, a handful of restaurants will offer delivery 24/7 from DoorDash’s app.

    By • Sept. 8, 2025
  • Exterior view of Mystic Diner Restaurant lit up with bright blue lights at sunset.
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    Permission granted by Diner Hospitality Group
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    Sponsored by Toast

    How 1 restaurateur saved time and drove sales with Toast’s AI Marketing Assistant

    How a Connecticut diner uses AI to market smarter, help save time and drive sales.

    Sept. 8, 2025
  • An empty Starbucks redesigned with lots of green and open space.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    An inside look at Starbucks’ coffeehouse redesign

    With 1,000 renovations and new builds set to incorporate warmer colors, more seating and experiential changes, Starbucks may be on its way to physically restoring its coffeehouse-vibe.

    By • Sept. 5, 2025