Operations: Page 16


  • Blaze Pizza
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    Courtesy of Blaze Pizza
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    Blaze Pizza to move HQ to Atlanta

    Its East Coast headquarters will help the chain during the next phase of growth, CEO Beto Guajardo said.

    By June 5, 2024
  • A couple look at cupcakes displayed in a case. A man is pointing at one of the cupcakes.
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    doble-d via Getty Images
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    Restaurant openings up 6%, but momentum slowing

    Sweets and snack concepts had the most openings with new dessert stores up 52%, followed by shaved ice outlets up 22%, according to a Yelp report. 

    By June 5, 2024
  • A photo of a variety of Mexican-style food on a wooden table, including a variety of tacos, nacho chips with cheese and churros. A plastic drink cup says "Rusty Taco."
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    Permission granted by Rusty Taco
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    Good 2 Go grows partnership with Mexican QSR

    Rusty Taco will open its first seven shops in Colorado alongside the convenience store chain’s locations

    By Jessica Loder • June 4, 2024
  • An image of a building with "Rubio's Coastal Grill" on the outside.
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    Permission granted by Rubio's Coastal Grill
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    Rubio’s closes 48 CA stores following minimum wage hike

    Following a review of operations and given the current economic environment, the chain decided to close the locations due to the increased cost of doing business in the Golden State. 

    By June 3, 2024
  • A drive-thru menu board with a speaker box at Taco John's
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    Courtesy of Presto Automation
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    Taco John’s rolls out drive-thru AI test with Presto

    Following the completion of a pilot phase, the Mexican chain will expand the technology to franchised locations later this year. 

    By June 3, 2024
  • Happy female friends on holiday together eating ice cream sundaes
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    SolStock via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by MARS Foodservices

    Is your dessert menu hitting the sweet spot?

    Streamlined dessert options can increase kitchen efficiency and a focus on cross-training gives confidence to all staff to handle a variety of tasks.

    June 3, 2024
  • Various burgers, chicken tenders, fries and onion rings on a gray table.
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    Courtesy of BurgerFi
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    BurgerFi seeks strategic alternatives

    The company will consider all options as it continues to face liquidity challenges, sales growth problems and net losses. 

    By May 31, 2024
  • An evening shot of a building with white and red coloring and signage that says "Portillo's."
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s COO to depart chain

    Derrick Pratt’s departure comes amid the company’s execution of a four-pronged plan to improve operations, including drive-thru speeds. 

    By May 31, 2024
  • A photo of McDonald's menu
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s disputes claims prices have risen 100%

    Joe Erlinger, McDonald’s U.S. president, said pricing on the Big Mac has gone up 21% since 2019 and is in line with inflation.

    By May 30, 2024
  • Three people stand outside a closed coffee shop holding signs.
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    Permission granted by Holly Costanzo
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    Deep Dive

    Workers at DC’s Wydown cafes got organized. Then they lost everything.

    The owners of the two-unit coffee chain shut down operations in the middle of a union drive, leaving workers fighting for severance.

    By May 29, 2024
  • A white sign that says Cava in front of a glassed facade building.
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava to add grilled steak to core menu

    The item yielded positive sales mix in Boston and Dallas tests and will fill a “perceived gap” after the chain removed beef meatballs over a year ago.

    By May 29, 2024
  • McDonald's Q1 Earnings Up On Higher Menu Prices, Overseas Growth
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Fast food is too expensive, says a majority of Americans

    Sixty-two percent of U.S. consumers surveyed by LendingTree said they are eating fast food less due to rising prices. 

    By May 28, 2024
  • Three smart phone screens with CosMc's branding
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    Permission granted by CosMc's
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    CosMc’s launches loyalty app

    The McDonald’s spinoff launched an app despite having only four locations, in a possible show of the burger giant's confidence in its new brand.

    By May 28, 2024
  • The outside of a Starbucks store
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    NLRB judge tells Starbucks to rescind ‘respectful communication’ policy

    The employer also must reinstate an employee fired for alleged violation of the rule, the judge ruled.

    By Ginger Christ • May 24, 2024
  • People work at a restaurant at Chelsea Market in Manhattan on February 02, 2024 in New York City.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    4 restaurant industry forecasts from the NRA Show

    Gen Z’s demand for photogenic beverages and frustration over financing struggles loomed large over the event as operators strategized how to solve consumer pullback.

    By May 23, 2024
  • A headshot of Abigail Pringle
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    Permission granted by The Wendy's Co.
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    Wendy’s appoints presidents for US, international

    Abigail Pringle has been named to the new role of president, U.S, while E.J. Wunsch, its chief legal officer, becomes international president.

    By May 23, 2024
  • An image of a woman's hand holding a smart phone with an app loaded from Red Robin.
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    Courtesy of Red Robin
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    Red Robin rolls out points-based loyalty program

    Members receive $10 for every 100 points earned, a shift from the old program, in which a free entree was granted after nine entrees were purchased.

    By May 23, 2024
  • Three fast food beverages stand in line.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    Inside CosMc’s: Slow drive-thru service may undercut customization’s perks

    McDonald’s spinoff brand, which targets Gen Z with highly caffeinated drinks and snacks, is a “learning lab” that needs work to compete with legacy QSRs.

    By May 22, 2024
  • Two women putting an order for food through a kiosk
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    Don Wu via Getty Images
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    Grubbrr CEO: Automation could make restaurants a high-wage, high-productivity business

    Kiosks may not be a silver bullet for labor troubles — they seem better suited to boost check sizes — but they may be part of a gradual transformation of restaurant work, Sam Zietz said. 

    By May 21, 2024
  • An image of Red Loster sign on the outside of a restaurant
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    It’s more than shrimp: What led to Red Lobster’s bankruptcy

    A cash shortage, traffic declines and pressure from equity sponsor Thai Union to become its sole shrimp supplier led to high costs — compounding losses induced by the ill-fated Ultimate Endless Shrimp promo. 

    By May 21, 2024
  • A photo of a man wearing a blue suit in front of a beige backround.
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    Courtesy of CEC Entertainment
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    CEC Entertainment appoints CFO

    Scott Drake is now the company’s top financial executive, and CEC also promoted three execs to various positions in operations and legal.

    By May 21, 2024
  • 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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    Top 500 restaurant chains grew 2023 sales 7.5% despite traffic declines

    Emerging concept 7 Brew was the fastest-growing chain, increasing its unit count over 373% last year, according to a Datassential report.

    By May 20, 2024
  • A sign with a lobster on it that says "This location is closed."
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Red Lobster declares bankruptcy

    The chain’s bankruptcy is the culmination of months of financial woes, which included significant losses, trouble paying its bills on time and a planned divestment by its minority owner. 

    By May 20, 2024
  • A photo of a pizza with shredded pork, bacon, onions and pickles against a white background. A hand is pulling one slice away from the pizza.
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    Courtesy of Casey's General Store
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    3 major c-store chains make foodservice updates

    GPM Investments is adding a famous hot dog brand to more than 450 stores, while Casey’s and 7-Eleven both updated their pizza lineups.

    By Jessica Loder • May 20, 2024
  • An image of a woman preparing bags for takeout in a restaurant
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    Dejan_Dundjerski via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Ask an expert: What structural problems killed the ghost kitchen?

    Despite failed pioneers and industry consolidation, the ghost kitchen model could rise again as shifting real estate market conditions make them more attractive, says Alon Lagstein, counsel at Carlton Fields.

    By May 17, 2024