News

Hooters kicks off U.S. growth push with free royalties for franchisees

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 22, 2023

The chain is offering new operators 40 weeks of free royalties as it celebrates its 40th birthday.

Blaze Pizza ousts its co-founder and culinary chief

By Lisa Jennings on Mar. 22, 2023

Brad Kent, who developed and evolved the fast-casual chain's menu over nearly 12 years, said it was a surprise. Company officials told him they wanted to move in a different direction.

Food

Dunkin’ debuts Breakfast Tacos, a brand-new menu platform

By Patricia Cobe on Mar. 22, 2023

The tacos are filled with breakfast ingredients but they’re available all day, sold in a special holder for guests to grab and go.

Food

Jose Andres commits to serving lab-grown chicken

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 22, 2023

The commitment comes as cultivated chicken clears a regulatory hurdle for U.S. consumption.

Financing

Illinois finds $50M in pandemic aid for restaurants

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 22, 2023

Another $75 million was found for hotels. The money is intended to ease a transition from survival to sustained recovery.

Beverage

Starbucks brings its olive oil-infused coffee to a skeptical U.S. market

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 22, 2023

The Seattle-based coffee giant is debuting its Oleato line in select Starbucks Reserve Roasteries on Thursday and then additional locations in Seattle and Los Angeles on Monday. Consumers remain skeptical.

Operations

Panera Bread wants to read palms for loyalty and payment

By Lisa Jennings on Mar. 22, 2023

The bakery-cafe chain will be the first restaurant concept to test use of Amazon One contactless palm readers, designed to speed the in-store experience for MyPanera members.

Operations