Operations
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Solo dining is on the rise, report finds
Younger diners like to eat alone, with 49% of millennials and 46% of Gen Z consumers preferring to do so, according to a TouchBistro report.
By Julie Littman • April 3, 2025 -
Trump installs 10% baseline tariff, country-specific duties
The president said he will levy import taxes on a wide range of countries, based on White House calculations. The National Restaurant Association said tariffs will only exacerbate pricing problems for the industry.
By Philip Neuffer • April 3, 2025 -
Why urban areas are a challenge for casual chains
High rents, difficult buildouts and space limitations are among many reasons why casual full-service chains often avoid spaces in cities. But opportunities are out there, experts say.
By Danielle McLean • April 3, 2025 -
Retrieved from Texas Chicken on March 18, 2025
Church’s Texas Chicken to open 900 more international units
Through its international brand Texas Chicken, the chain will enter Germany, Hungary and Georgia for the first time, expanding its presence in Europe.
By Julie Littman • April 3, 2025 -
P.F. Chang’s promotes COO Brad Hill to CEO
Hill, who has been at the company for nearly eight years, steps into the role following Eduardo Luz’s departure.
By Julie Littman • Updated April 2, 2025 -
Domino’s teams with DoorDash, ditches Uber Eats exclusivity
The pizza chain, which has partnered with Uber Eats since 2023, believes third-party aggregator partnerships are a $1 billion sales opportunity.
By Julie Littman • April 2, 2025 -
Retrieved from PJ's Coffee of New Orleans on April 01, 2025
PJ’s Coffee parent company CEO to retire
Peter Boylan, who has headed up Ballard Brands since 2016, will remain on as an advisor while David Mesa takes over as president of franchise development.
By Julie Littman • April 1, 2025 -
Hooters of America sells itself, files Chapter 11
The chain will sell over 100 company-owned locations to two major franchisees, which will also take over franchise support and corporate functions.
By Julie Littman • April 1, 2025 -
Bojangles appoints former KFC exec as chief legal officer
Kate Ward, who worked at KFC for nine years, becomes Bojangles’ top legal executive as the chain pushes for 1,000 units.
By Julie Littman • March 31, 2025 -
Twin Peaks CEO resigns
Joe Hummel will leave the company on April 10 along with Chief Legal Officer Clay Mingus, both of whom have been at the brand for over seven years.
By Julie Littman • March 31, 2025 -
Dutch Bros plans to build 1K shops within 5 years
The coffee chain expects annual revenue growth of roughly 20% and is targeting a store count of 2,029 by 2029.
By Julie Littman • March 28, 2025 -
Bar Louie files for bankruptcy protections, again
The gastropub chain’s footprint shrank from 71 units in 2021 to 48 as of March, while sales at some franchised units remain flat compared to 2015.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 28, 2025 -
Rego Restaurant hires CEO
Neel Patel will oversee the Quiznos and Taco del Mar brands, which have been growing through franchising and deals with Ghost Kitchen International.
By Julie Littman • March 27, 2025 -
Panera Brands hires permanent CEO
Paul Carbone, who has been interim CEO since January, will focus on a multi-year plan to boost the company’s teams, guest experience and franchise profitability.
By Julie Littman • March 26, 2025 -
Retrieved from Fransmart/Cilantro Taco Grill on March 25, 2025
Emerging Mexican fast casual chain plots 110-unit expansion
Chicago-based Cilantro Taco Grill will grow from 18 units to over 100 in the next few years after launching franchising less than two years ago.
By Julie Littman • March 26, 2025 -
Q&A
TGI Fridays CEO says the brand is ready to grow again post-bankruptcy
Ray Blanchette returned to the restaurant chain earlier this year and will help lead future growth, menu innovation and franchising.
By Julie Littman • March 25, 2025 -
Whataburger hires former McDonald’s exec as chief development officer
Todd Ewen, who has over 20 years of commercial real estate experience, joins the brand as it plans to expand into its 17th state after surpassing 1,000 units.
By Julie Littman • March 25, 2025 -
Retrieved from Zaxbys on March 24, 2025
Zaxbys adds AI cameras to drive-thru
The technology from Berry AI measures speed of service and line abandonment, which could help boost drive-thru times by identifying bottlenecks.
By Julie Littman • March 24, 2025 -
The Cheesecake Factory overhauls menu
The chain, which typically updates its menu every year, rolled out an extensive list of starters, entrees and beverages and removed 13 items.
By Julie Littman • March 24, 2025 -
Darden pilots Uber Eats delivery at Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen
The channel is in pilot at 10 restaurants with plans to deploy it across the 182-restaurant system in the near future.
By Julie Littman • March 20, 2025 -
Restaurants focus on tech, retention as labor market cools
Speeding up hiring with applicant tracking systems, mobile applications and automated interview scheduling could save time and money, the National Restaurant Association said.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 20, 2025 -
Q&A
Church’s Texas Chicken CEO: Chain’s future is defined by franchising, unit growth
Roland Gonzalez, who took the top exec role in February, said Church’s will sustain its momentum by deploying more technology to boost operations and attract more operator commitments.
By Julie Littman • March 18, 2025 -
Corner Bakery invests over $6M in cafe remodels, other brand improvements
Two years after emerging from bankruptcy, the chain has completed seven remodels and plans to invest another $500,000 in additional renovations.
By Julie Littman • March 18, 2025 -
Tracking the same-store sales of 21 major restaurant chains
Sales at pizza and casual dining brands have struggled, while QSR giants like McDonald’s and Starbucks saw anemic changes and fast casuals Cava and Chipotle made big gains.
By Julie Littman , Aneurin Canham-Clyne , Emma Liem Beckett • Updated March 20, 2025 -
Cava opens first Indiana unit
The growing Mediterranean brand is looking at cities like Indianapolis, Detroit and Pittsburgh as fresh markets for development in 2025.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 17, 2025