Operations

New restaurant equipment and back-of-the-house technology

Catering to special dietary needs with RATIONAL

Sponsored content from our partner RATIONAL on Dec. 15, 2025

When UNREFINED meal prep started in Cleveland back in 2021, they needed help ensuring consistent quality for their clientele: people with special dietary needs.

Operations

Who's growing, slowing or shrinking in fast casual

By Lisa Jennings on Dec. 12, 2025

Chipotle, Raising Cane's and Wingstop are gung ho on growth this year. Other brands, however, are slowing their roll or closing units.

Operations

How Shake Shack plans to win market share in 2026

By Lisa Jennings on Dec. 10, 2025

The burger chain has been an outlier in the fast-casual segment, showing strong results. At a Raymond James conference this week, CEO Rob Lynch explained what's working.

Operations

San Francisco takes on manufacturers of ultra-processed food

By Restaurant Business Staff on Dec. 09, 2025

Working Lunch: This week's political podcast looks at lawsuits arguing that the food industry is making Americans chronically ill. Is processed food the new smoking?

Operations

McDonald's is making value part of its franchise standards

By Jonathan Maze on Dec. 08, 2025

The fast-food giant, which is trying to bring back lower-income consumers frustrated by menu price inflation, will take additional steps to monitor operators’ work with third-party pricing consultants.

Premium

Operations

Boats, ducks and steaks: Inside The Boathouse's $51M restaurant experience

By Lisa Jennings on Dec. 05, 2025

Created by Steven Schussler, the visionary behind Rainforest Cafe, this high-volume Disney Springs concept is one of the nation's top-grossing restaurants.

Operations

How America’s Top 100 independents are using people power to succeed

By Liz Barrett Foster on Dec. 05, 2025

Top-grossing restaurants show how putting people first pays off, with memorable events, a staff-first culture and an eye on community.

Operations

Chicago committee advances hemp-THC ban as federal prohibition looms

By Heather Lalley on Dec. 05, 2025

The proposal now heads to the full city council for a vote. Beverages made with intoxicating hemp have become popular in Chicago's restaurants, bars and performance venues.

Operations