Operations
-
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Papa Johns names new chief supply chain officer
Kurt Milburn takes up the role as the pizza chain looks to cut supply chain costs and boost productivity.
By Alejandra Salgado • May 3, 2024 -
Permission granted by Denny's
Denny’s virtual brands engage Gen Z, fuel off-premise growth
By leveraging slow dayparts like dinner and late night, the casual chain’s three delivery-only brands are increasing sales and capturing younger demographics.
By Julie Littman • May 3, 2024 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Permission granted by Homeroom
TrendlineIndependent restaurants
In an industry built on in-person interactions and long-term relationships with customers, the pandemic has dealt a serious blow to independent operators, but many have pivoted and found new ways to reach diners.
By Restaurant Dive staff -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
McDonald’s credits speed, personalization for high satisfaction
The fast food chain is attracting consumers with customized messaging and cementing their loyalty with swift and consistent service.
By Bryan Wassel • May 2, 2024 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Shake Shack’s kiosks are now its largest ordering channel
The chain added upselling options to its kiosks and made the channel’s customization experience more similar to online ordering.
By Julie Littman • May 2, 2024 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Starbucks’ mobile ordering is so popular, it’s slowing some orders down
Starbucks will roll out new procedures that will help workers reduce wait times, CEO Laxman Narasimhan said Tuesday.
By Bryan Wassel • May 1, 2024 -
Courtesy of Wingstop
Wingstop accelerates growth trajectory amid record-breaking Q1
The company, which now expects to open up to 25 more net new units than initially planned, reported 21.6% same-store sales growth.
By Julie Littman • May 1, 2024 -
Courtesy of Donatos Pizza
Donatos CEO to retire, president will assume post
Tom Krouse will retire in October after 20-plus years at the pizza chain. President Kevin King will take on the role of CEO upon Krouse’s retirement.
By Julie Littman • May 1, 2024 -
Don Wu via Getty Images
Yum’s digital sales mix tops 50% systemwide
Following several quarters of kiosk and e-commerce deployment, digital is on track to generate $30 billion in annualized sales.
By Julie Littman • May 1, 2024 -
Courtesy of IHOP
IHOP’s POS migration is boosting speed, check totals
The diner chain has nearly completed a two-year migration of 1,500 restaurants to Tray’s platform, which integrates with handheld server tablets to trim order and pay times at tables.
By Emma Liem Beckett • April 30, 2024 -
Permission granted by Camille Gramont
ColumnPardon the Disruption: What the sudden loss of Foxtrot and Dom’s means for retail
Their demise underscores just how difficult it is to bring new, innovative ideas to life in the shadow of large-scale competitors and the grinding need for efficiency.
By Jeff Wells • April 30, 2024 -
Courtesy of Burger King
Burger King commits additional $300M to accelerate remodels
The chain will give top-performing restaurants cash incentives to complete remodels and expects to overhaul up to 90% of its U.S. units by 2028.
By Julie Littman • April 30, 2024 -
Courtesy of Domino's
Domino’s Q1 US sales driven by loyalty, promotions
Domestic comps rose 5.6%, the highest increase since 2021, due to rewards member growth, successful marketing campaigns and improved operations.
By Julie Littman • April 29, 2024 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle pulls plug on Farmesa fast casual concept
Farmesa Fresh Eatery marks the third spinoff that the company has attempted but shuttered in the past decade.
By Julie Littman • April 26, 2024 -
Courtesy of Sticky's
Chicken tender chain Sticky’s Finger Joint files for Chapter 11
Low foot traffic in Manhattan, exacerbated by high prices for chicken and potatoes, left 12-unit Sticky’s in a weak position.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 26, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Chipotle makes order fulfillment, not fancier tech, its top CX focus
Faster order speed is “one of those things that cascades into everything being a lot better,” CEO Brian Niccol said.
By Bryan Wassel • April 25, 2024 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle’s traffic rose 5% in Q1 despite price hikes
Visits outpaced the fast casual industry during the quarter thanks to the chain’s strongest throughput in four years and Barbacoa and Carne Asada promotions.
By Julie Littman • April 25, 2024 -
Permission granted by Cava
Cava’s Chicago store marks Midwestern debut
The Wicker Park location is part of the chain’s push to add units after reaching profitability in 2023 and completing its Zoës Kitchen conversions.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 25, 2024 -
Permission granted by Starbucks Workers United
Starbucks unionization effortsStarbucks meets 150 workers at the bargaining table in Atlanta
While the company still plans store-by-store contract ratification, it is discussing issues impacting all employees with a bargaining committee of union members.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 24, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Study: Chipotle, Starbucks have highest burnout among major restaurants
Chipotle, which recently added new worker benefits to attract hires, had the second-highest burnout rating of any company in the study, surpassed only by Progressive.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 24, 2024 -
Permission granted by Papa Johns
Papa Johns franchisees accelerating growth this year in light of incentives
Operators who open new units in 2024 don’t have to pay a national ad contribution for five years, which could save $330,000 in development costs, per a BTIG report.
By Julie Littman • April 22, 2024 -
Lamb Weston/Dan Dunson
Sponsored by Lamb WestonCultivating a greener future – The Journey of sustainability in restaurants
Sustainability is more than a buzzword. It is a core value that is becoming indispensable to guests.
April 22, 2024 -
Courtesy of Chuck E. Cheese
6 restaurants that plotted international growth during Q1
Chains like Fazoli’s, Marco’s Pizza and Chuck E. Cheese secured deals to enter new countries as part of ongoing global expansion plans.
By Julie Littman • April 19, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Why Red Lobster could be headed toward bankruptcy
The chain only paid a quarter of its bills on time in February and over half were 61 to 90 days late, according to data from Creditsafe.
By Julie Littman • April 19, 2024 -
Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
4 things to know about TGI Fridays’ acquisition by Hostmore
The chain’s biggest franchisee has been reducing expenses since 2022, which should help the combined company start on stronger financial footing in the U.K.’s public market.
By Julie Littman • April 18, 2024 -
Permission granted by Fat Brands
Fat Brands expands hybrid Fatburger/Round Table Pizza model to NorCal
Fat Brands franchisee California Burger will add the burger concept to 40 pizza restaurants over the next 10 years, with the first to be completed this year.
By Julie Littman • April 17, 2024
