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operations

Leadership

Under David McKillips, the 'E' in Chuck E. Cheese might as well stand for 'experiment'

 By Peter Romeo on Sep. 12, 2024

The former theme park and Mad magazine executive has left little unchanged since assuming responsibility for the family favorite at a low point in its history.

Financing

Pandemic aftershocks keep hitting restaurants

 By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 27, 2024

The Bottom Line: Sales challenges and bankruptcy filings are the latest seismic repercussions for restaurant chains.

Leadership

Operator at heart Scott Boatwright takes wheel at Chipotle

By Lisa Jennings on Aug. 13, 2024

Stepping in as interim CEO as Brian Niccol departs for Starbucks, Boatwright seems a likely candidate for the permanent role.

Financing

Shake Shack's new CEO Rob Lynch plans to push speed, value and drive-thrus

By Lisa Jennings on Aug. 01, 2024

In his first Shake Shack earnings call, CEO Rob Lynch outlined plans for the next phase of growth. He is focused on operations and making the premium fast-casual brand a more frequent choice for guests at all income levels.

Operations

Report: Chipotle's recent traffic burst is expected to shrink any perceived portion-size problems

By Lisa Jennings on Jul. 22, 2024

Remember the TikTokers like Keith Lee who ranted about not getting enough chicken in their bowls and burritos? It doesn't appear to have impacted traffic, according to new Placer.ai data.

Operations

Starbucks inks a deal to install 100 more EV chargers, mostly along the West Coast

By Peter Romeo on Jul. 18, 2024

The devices will be installed along the I-5 corridor under a deal with Mercedes-Benz. When those chargers are up and running, the coffee chain would sport chargers at 1,000 units in total.

Consumer Trends

Current influences on consumer spending and value decisions

Sponsored content from our partner IFMA on Jul. 11, 2024

Explore the latest insights into consumer spending and value decisions amidst ongoing inflation. Learn how rising food-away-from-home (FAFH) costs impact behaviors and discover strategies for targeting key demographics and addressing operator challenges in our current economic environment.

Financing

Another breastaurant chain suffers a severe downturn

By Peter Romeo on Jul. 11, 2024

Bombshells, the concept run by strip-club operator RCI Hospitality, posted a 16.2% drop in same-store sales.

Food

How Panera's New Era goes way beyond the menu

By Lisa Jennings on Jul. 09, 2024

The menu transformation is exceeding expectations, but the brand has been in headlines for lots of other reasons. EVP and COO Debbie Roberts takes on questions about the test of par-baked bread, dough facility closures, the data breach and more.

Emerging Brands

Paws a moment to consider these inflation-resistant concepts

By Peter Romeo on Jul. 09, 2024

Reality Check: We've lived through the cat cafe craze. The next evolutionary wrinkle could be a proliferation of restaurants where dogs roam free.

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