Operations
-
Southworks
Why dashboard dining and weekend restaurant visits are on the rise
Consumer trends are contradictory, according to a Technomic presentation at the National Restaurant Association Show, with both on-premise group dining and solo car dining on the rise.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 22, 2025 -
Permission granted by Chili's Grill & Bar
The restaurant industry’s Q1 2025 winners and losers
Consumer price sensitivity led to declines at Chipotle, McDonald’s and other QSRs, while Chili’s and Cava were among a handful of companies to see traffic and sales gains.
By Julie Littman • May 22, 2025 -
Courtesy of BP Pulse
BP Pulse is bringing EV chargers to Waffle House
Chosen sites in the Southeast and the Sunbelt will get six electric vehicle charging bays, with the first locations coming online next year.
By Jessica Loder • May 22, 2025 -
Permission granted by Smoothie King
Smoothie King appoints CFO as president
In his expanded role, Gavin Felder will oversee day-to-day management and retain his financial responsibilities at the fast-growing smoothie chain.
By Julie Littman • May 22, 2025 -
Ant DM via Getty Images
Shake Shack bets on 10 casino locations with PENN Entertainment
The fast casual chain, which already operates in three casinos, will open its first restaurants with the entertainment company in 2026.
By Julie Littman • May 21, 2025 -
Juanmonino via Getty Images
Independent restaurants urge Congress to exempt service charges from taxes, not just tips
The “No Tax on Tips” provision in a proposed budget reconciliation package only benefits customer-facing staff, not dishwashers or other back-of-house workers, the IRC said.
By Julie Littman • May 20, 2025 -
Permission granted by McDonald's/Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme sued by investors over McDonald’s rollout pause
The lawsuit claims the chain failed to disclose profitability issues it was having with the QSR partnership, which subsequently led to a steep decline in stock prices after Q1 2025 earnings.
By Julie Littman • May 20, 2025 -
Courtesy of Burger King
Technomic: LTOs and value are key to solving traffic downturn
With consumers bracing for tariff impacts, limited-time offerings will likely grow in importance alongside budget-focused menu items.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 20, 2025 -
Courtesy of Cava
Cava has big plans for its loyalty program
Loyalty is bringing consumers into the restaurant’s ecosystem, while its emphasis on hospitality builds relationships, according to CEO Brett Schulman.
By Bryan Wassel • May 19, 2025 -
Permission granted by SeoulSpice
SeoulSpice heads to Chicago, plots national expansion
With trouble brewing in its home market, the Korean fast casual chain plants its first flag outside of Washington, D.C.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 19, 2025 -
Mario Tama via Getty Images
Analysts at NRA Show: Tariffs could make H2 gloomier for restaurants
Traffic is down and consumers are pulling back. But some diners might be trading up as fast food chains lose pricing advantages relative to fast casual, and even full-service, chains.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 19, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Jack in the Box deploys kiosks at 1,500 restaurants
The chain, which posted negative same-store sales for the quarter, boasted a 18% digital sales mix, just shy of its 20% goal.
By Julie Littman • May 16, 2025 -
Mario Tama via Getty Images
How Cava beat traffic gravity in Q1
The brand’s 10.8% comparable sales growth outperformed rival fast casuals, with Chipotle and Sweetgreen posting flat-to-negative sales.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 16, 2025 -
Permission granted by Uber Eats
Uber Eats, OpenTable reservation integration will launch this fall
Users will be able to book a reservation from the Uber Eats app through a “Dine Out” tab, which will feature various local dine-in restaurants.
By Julie Littman • May 15, 2025 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks union workers strike over dress code changes
Baristas at more than 50 cafes have walked off the job over new clothing policies, which they say deviate from agreements made at the bargaining table.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 14, 2025 -
Patpitchaya via Getty Images
Tariffs, immigration policy put US restaurants at ‘significant risk’: Fitch
High consumer price sensitivity leaves brands with little room to offset the costs of tariffs and labor market disruptions.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 14, 2025 -
Courtesy of Brinker International
Brinker promotes Aaron White to COO
White will maintain her role as chief people officer in addition to overseeing operational improvements that bolster the employee and guest experience.
By Julie Littman • May 13, 2025 -
Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
Applebee’s perks up its loyalty program with an emphasis on exclusivity
Dine Brands wants to use memorable loyalty opportunities and speedy service to help Applebee’s and IHOP grow.
By Bryan Wassel • May 13, 2025 -
Permission granted by Mountain Mike's
Why Mountain Mike’s doesn’t want to be like every other pizza chain
Unlike rival brands that are shrinking footprints to focus on off-premise service, the California-based chain leans on its dining rooms, salad bar and arcade games to stay competitive.
By Julie Littman • May 13, 2025 -
Retrieved from NACS.
Arko begins building food-focused stores, will debut new foodservice program
The convenience retailer is investing between $700,000 and $1.1 million into each new location and intends to finish all seven pilot sites by the end of 2025.
By Brett Dworski • May 12, 2025 -
Permission granted by Potbelly
How Potbelly harnessed transformational growth
After undertaking a turnaround strategy, the company has grown comparable sales, accelerated franchise development and added popular menu items.
By Julie Littman • May 12, 2025 -
Courtesy of Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen’s same-store sales slip for first time as public company
The salad brand attributed its sales shortfall to consumer pullback, and is looking to loyalty and LTOs to offset the trouble.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 9, 2025 -
Permission granted by Dutch Bros
How restaurants can tap into the beverage craze
Young, health-conscious consumers are seeking out innovative non-alcoholic drinks, and well-positioned restaurants can capture that new demand.
By Danielle McLean • May 9, 2025 -
Courtesy of Noodles & Company
How Noodles & Company beat Chipotle’s Q1 comparable sales
The chain posted a 4.4% increase in comp sales in Q1 2025 even though larger chains like Chipotle and Wingstop posted anemic comps.
By Julie Littman • May 8, 2025 -
Courtesy of Dine Brands
Why Dine Brands is going all in on dual-branded restaurants
Franchisees are increasingly buying into dual-branded units since they lead to higher sales compared to a standalone restaurant.
By Julie Littman • May 8, 2025
