Continue to Site >>>

Heather Lalley

Managing editor

Articles by
Heather Lalley

Page 15
Technology

Chipotle creates a $50 million fund to invest in early-stage tech companies

The burrito chain’s new Cultivate Next fund, financed solely by Chipotle, will boost young firms that could “possibly revolutionize the restaurant industry,” the fast casual said.

Beverage

Panera goes for the big gulp with revamped monthly beverage subscription

Building on the success of its coffee subscription, the fast casual launched the $10.99-a-month Unlimited Sip Club, which offers 26 self-serve beverages.

Emerging Brands

Top 500: The pandemic-fueled chicken craving still has legs

Fast-casual chicken chains grew their sales by more than 24% over 2019—more than any other segment tracked by the Top 500.

Emerging Brands

Why this up-and-coming salad chain says it’s ready to go head-to-head with Sweetgreen

Crisp & Green, founded in 2016 by former fitness chain executive Steele Smiley, said it has been profitable every quarter and that it is seeing $2.5 million average unit volumes.

Financing

Kiosks and AI are on the horizon for BurgerFi, Anthony’s

The two chains said they are starting to see some efficiencies after joining forces last year, but development was slowed by COVID.

Leadership

Industry vet Sharlene Smith named Zaxby’s COO

Smith most recently served as VP of operations excellence for Papa John’s and has also held leadership posts at McDonald’s.

Marketing

Weed, taxes and high gas prices give marketers plenty of hooks

Marketing Bites: Current events are offering some good fodder for discounts, Baskin-Robbins debuts a rebrand and more marketing news of the week.

Marketing

Dutch Bros earns the 2022 Pacesetter Award

The honor, given by the editors of Restaurant Business, recognized the newly public chain’s strong corporate culture, successful loyalty program and thoughtful growth.

Leadership

How P.F. Chang’s CEO Damola Adamolekun tackled challenges inside his restaurants’ walls—and outside them, too

Improving the in-restaurant experience and making off-premise sales a priority topped his to-do list when he took over the Asian casual-dining chain in 2020.

Leadership

&pizza president Andy Hooper is out after a re-org

The fast-casual pizza chain’s day-to-day operations will now be run by &pizza’s COO and CBO, CEO Michael Lastoria said.

Emerging Brands

Why a small sandwich concept is breaking out of the fast-casual box

Zunzi’s was doing well as a traditional fast casual, its CEO said, but then it added a bar and sales soared. Now, it’s changed its franchising plans.

Marketing

Raising Cane’s enlists its workers as stars of its latest ad campaign

Marketing Bites: Expect to see more chains promote their workplace culture. Would you wear Waffle House sneakers? And more marketing news of the week.

  • Page 15