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Leadership

Dunkin’ names Jill McVicar Nelson CMO

She had been the former VP of marketing strategy and helped launch Dunkin’ Refreshers and Avocado Toast.

Marketing

Consumers are apparently consuming a lot of pumpkin drinks

Starbucks had the best week in its history after introducing its fall menu and Dunkin’ had stronger traffic, too.

The burger giant is creating “Speedee Labs,” which will consolidate innovation work being done in Romeoville, Ill., and its corporate offices in downtown Chicago.

The coffee giant will add new equipment, training and employment benefits to improve efficiency and generate more sales. But it also plans to build another 2,000 domestic locations.

The coffee giant will provide savings assistance and student loan management tools. The benefits follow increased worker pay at non-union stores last month.

The burger chain will spend the money over two years to boost marketing and invest in technology and remodels. It has the support of most of its franchisees.

The Bottom Line: The burger chain, which is working on its revitalization, has not just lost ground to Wendy’s and McDonald’s but also Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell.

Laxman Narasimhan, who will take over as chief executive next April, told CNBC that he has a unique opportunity to “apprentice” with Interim CEO Howard Schultz.

The odd saga of one of the fast-food industry’s weirdest products is set for its conclusion with a musical starring Dolly Parton later this month.

The Bottom Line: The smoothie chain changed its ingredients and its menu to focus on health and get back to its original brand vision. The move was not without its risks.

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