operations

The week’s 5 head-spinning moments: Report card time

By Peter Romeo on May 16, 2014

Shareholders fail Chipotle’s Steve Ells and Monty Moran. Outback tries to turn C’s into A’s—if it can find enough opportunities. And fast casual dominates the honor roll—again.

Darden to sell Red Lobster for $2.1 billion

May 16, 2014

The seller, Darden Restaurants, said it chose Golden Gate Capital in part because the deal would be all-cash. The purchase price is nine times Red Lobster’s EBITDA for the past year.

Applebee’s sports décor needs a refresh for future business

By Sara Rush Wirth on May 16, 2014

Applebee’s parent company DineEquity recently acknowledged that it’s time to push the reset button on the concept. Does that mean Applebee’s future business is shifting further away from one of its foundational principles, a connection to its clientele through memorabilia and other fan junk of local sports teams posted on the walls? We can only hope.

Beverage

A thirst for culture

By Alia Akkam on May 19, 2014

Pairing ethnic beverages with global menus appeals to customers' more adventurous palates. Check out the latest beverage trends.

Post-NRA Show attitude adjustments

By Peter Romeo on May 20, 2014

If colleagues attended the NRA Show and you didn’t, grant them some deep-thought time. They’re likely grappling with new necessities that mandate changes in their attitudes and ways of doing business. You may want to sit at their feet and get a download, Grasshopper.

TGI Fridays sold to private-equity firms for $800 million

May 20, 2014

Sentinel Capital Partners, which will be the majority shareholder, earlier this year acquired Checkers Drive-In Restaurants as well as the parent company of the Newk's Eatery franchise.

Yum names 40-year-old Niccol to head Taco Bell

May 21, 2014

Roughly a month after promoting Greg Creed to CEO, Yum has dropped the other shoe by announcing his successor as the head of Taco Bell.

The new math of the Red Lobster deal

By Peter Romeo on May 21, 2014

Putting a value on Red Lobster isn’t a done deal in the view of some Darden Restaurant shareholders. And the only things sharper than their pencils appear to be their tongues.

Restaurant chains: We're not pulling a Chipotle

May 22, 2014

The spread of open-carry laws has operators wondering which group to risk alienating, gun advocates or control proponents. As Chipotle is learning, the choice isn’t easy, and the repercussions can be significant.

The week's 5 head-spinning moments

By Peter Romeo on May 23, 2014

Adjustments in tech strategies, a big promotion that slipped past unnoticed, why every big chain should be scared and the day fast food lost its mind.

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