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News

Marketing

For restaurants right now, a value deluge

 By Heather Lalley on Jul. 17, 2025

Marketing Bites: It’s a season of marketing creativity as operators from Taco Bell to Planet Hollywood look to position themselves as bastions for budget-minded diners.

Leadership

The late chef Michael Chiarello's estate files lawsuit to prevent alleged hostile takeover of assets by investors

 By Lisa Jennings on Jul. 17, 2025

The famed restaurateur died suddenly in 2023. Now his estate is in a messy battle with minority stakeholders who say they are acting to carry forward Chiarello's visions.

Financing

The owner of Circle K will not be buying the owner of 7-Eleven

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 17, 2025

Alimentation Couche-Tard, the owner of Circle K, withdrew its proposal to Seven & I, citing a lack of engagement. The latter company will now pursue an IPO of the 7-Eleven convenience-store chain.

Financing

The early returns on McDonald's Snack Wrap are apparently good

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 16, 2025

The fast-food giant generated strong traffic last week after bringing back the product, according to data from Placer.ai. Social media reports also suggest it’s popular.

Financing

A Del Taco franchisee in Georgia and Alabama files for bankruptcy

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 16, 2025

South Carolina-based Matador Restaurant Group, which operates 22 locations of the Mexican fast-food chain, cited unexpectedly weak sales and its own decision to take out merchant cash advances.

Financing

Why fireplaces are vital for La Madeleine

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 16, 2025

A Deeper Dive: John Dillon, CEO of the Dallas-based fast-casual chain, joins the restaurant finance podcast to talk about the company’s growing focus on hospitality.

Food

Under new ownership, Big Chicken refreshes its menu

By Lisa Jennings on Jul. 16, 2025

After joining the Craveworthy Brands portfolio this year, the Shaquille O'Neal-created fast casual rolled out a revamped menu, with new Shaq Snacks and sandwiches designed to make a basketball player's hands look small.

Emerging Brands

Cooper's Hawk gets ready to grow its pizza concept, Piccolo Buco

By Joe Guszkowski on Jul. 16, 2025

The Italian import known for its poofy crust will get its second and third U.S. locations this year, giving Cooper’s Hawk wine club members another place to use their perks.

Food

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill carves out a new pizza category on its menu

By Patricia Cobe on Jul. 16, 2025

Behind the Menu: The Miami-based fast casual partnered with a Florida hot sauce company to launch scratch-made Mexican pizzas with local flavor.

Financing

Once a skeptic, Domino's embraces third-party aggregators

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 16, 2025

The Bottom Line: The pizza chain’s deal with DoorDash appears to be working as expected, according to the data firm M Science. Those aggregators have become vital for Domino’s market share, and other chains too.

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