management

Financing

Starbucks will invest $100M in its new Nashville office

The coffee shop giant believes the new office, which will house 2,000 workers, will bring the company closer to key suppliers while establishing a beachhead to support growth in the South and East.

Leadership

Christine Barone was made for this moment

The Dutch Bros CEO provided a steady hand, helping the drive-thru beverage chain to become one of the country’s hottest brands, earning her the title of Restaurant Leader of the Year.

The franchise operator’s board members will also resign while members of Wiederhorn’s family are leaving the company as part of a deal to finance the company through bankruptcy.

The rise of AI and social media is allowing misinformation to flourish, and forcing restaurants to be more vigilant in snuffing it out.

The new CEO of the fast-food chain operator wants to build unit economics, improve the customer experience and build on its technology capabilities.

The fast-food chain’s shareholders voted to re-elect all 10 directors, beating back a “vote no” effort on Chairman David Goebel. But it named a former Taco Bell CEO its new chairman.

Customers will have a direct line to Tom Curtis, who will spend hours every day taking phone calls and responding to texts, as the fast-food chain looks to elevate the customer experience.

David McKillips, who had led the company for six years, is stepping down. Drake had been the company’s chief financial officer.

The coffee shop giant’s chief executive, lured from Chipotle to turn the company around, received nearly $20 million in stock awards in addition to the use of an aircraft and housing expenses.

The Bottom Line: The fast-food sandwich chain’s chief executive acknowledges that consumers are paying close attention to any changes the company makes under its new owners.

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