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Companies need to make real estate a top priority and develop a strategy that suits their needs. And pay attention to the details.

Taste Tracker: Thanksgiving specials at Lazy Dog, Bob Evans, La Madeleine and Baskin-Robbins; El Pollo Loco, Dutch Bros, Dunkin’ and Scooter’s jump ahead to Christmas; bowls roll out at Friendly’s and Vitality Bowls; bacon trends at Church’s and Smokey Bones gets meaty.

Reality Check: No one knows the aggravations of working in a restaurant like the actual employees and their bosses. Here's a look at the growing trend of chains attempting to harness that know-how as a potent remedy for their labor problems.