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Heather Lalley

Managing editor

Articles by
Heather Lalley

Page 37
Leadership

Joella’s Hot Chicken adds Inspire vet Tye Pollak as COO

The former Inspire Brands operations executive will oversee operations at the 19-unit fast-casual chain.

Operations

Restaurants’ future is here in new fast-food prototypes

More than two dozen quick-service and fast-casual chains have introduced new prototypes over the past 15 months. Here’s a look at the trends behind them.

Workforce

Bojangles shutters all company stores for 2 days to give workers a break

The “wellness days” are unpaid, but the quick-service chain said employees can make up the hours later in the week.

Leadership

Wingstop promotes former CFO Skipworth to COO and president

Alex Kaleida will move into the chief financial officer post at the fast-casual chicken wing chain.

Food

MOD Pizza to add plant-based sausage

The fast-casual chain said it spent two years perfecting the vegan sausage crumble with Plantly.

Emerging Brands

Why health-focused chains are growing so fast

Concepts selling smoothies, salads and nutritionally balanced bowls topped the latest Buzzworthy Brands ranking, positioning themselves for swift post-pandemic growth.

Operations

Starbucks is closing its Princi bakeries

The move comes as the coffee giant focuses on drive-thrus and convenience, rather than its higher-end offshoots.

Workforce

Restaurants get creative to attract and keep workers

In a super-tight labor market, operators big and small are increasing pay, offering more days off and trying other perks to staff up.

Leadership

Qdoba promotes Eric Williams to COO

Williams had been a VP with the Mexican fast-casual chain since 2019.

Operations

How Panda Express is luring convenience-focused diners

The nearly 40-year-old fast casual, known for its hot foods serving line, is eyeing new store formats and upgraded tech to shorten the “customer journey” to its heaping plates of orange chicken.

Financing

Sweetgreen is acquiring robotic restaurant concept Spyce

The fast casual, which recently submitted documents to go public, said Spyce’s automation will allow it to speed throughput and let workers focus on food prep and hospitality.

Emerging Brands

Wing Zone is making a big tech investment to speed its growth

Eight months after being acquired by Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, the fast-casual wing chain is eyeing robotic fry cooks and new equipment to shave cooking times amid a complete brand refresh.

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