casual_dining

Walk-On's is opening an Atlanta office

By Joe Guszkowski on Jan. 25, 2022

The satellite to its Baton Rouge HQ will house finance, analytics and tech departments to help support the chain's rapid growth.

Operations

Tom Colicchio will help Cooper’s Hawk kick off one of its two new concepts

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 20, 2022

Carla Hall will be among the rotating chefs providing menus for the chain’s new Esquire by Cooper’s Hawk restaurant in Chicago, to open this year. The company is also creating a Neapolitan pizza concept.

Leadership

Red Lobster hires Patty Trevino as CMO

By Joe Guszkowski on Jan. 19, 2022

The former head of marketing for Hardee's and Carl's Jr. will take over the newly created position.

Financing

Cracker Barrel ordered to pay guest $6.5M after he was served chemicals

By Joe Guszkowski on Jan. 13, 2022

William Cronnon was injured after he drank a cleaning product called Eco-San, thinking it was ice water, at one of the chain's restaurants in 2014.

Premium

Financing

For many casual chains, growth lies outside the dining room

By Joe Guszkowski on Jan. 13, 2022

Nearly every big full-service chain is embracing ghost kitchens, virtual brands and other off-premise channels. Even some historic holdouts have shown signs of cracking.

Workforce