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Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor

Articles by
Lisa Jennings

Page 20
Operations

Panera Bread expands Value Duets menu

$10 and under appears to be the price position in fast casual as consumers look for value.

Operations

Steve Ells raises $36M for new Kernel

Chipotle's founder is expected to launch the automated restaurant concept this fall in New York City with hub-and-spoke model.

Operations

Qdoba is betting on franchising to double its unit count

The No. 2 Mexican fast casual has a long way to go to get close in size to arch rival Chipotle, but Qdoba is refranchising in a shift to the asset-light model.

Operations

Consumers to Noodles & Co.: Your prices were too high

The fast-casual chain pivoted quickly to lower pricing and slow the "sudden and significant" traffic declines. But now Noodles is taking a more comprehensive look at strategies to drive sales.

Operations

Move over, ramen. The next niche is soup dumplings

Demand for one-bite dumplings plump with meat and hot broth is growing, and a number of restaurant companies see an opportunity to scale both full-service and fast-casual variations.

Emerging Brands

Wing Zone debuts new concept with hot chicken

The new Wing Zone Hot Chicken and Wings is described as a next-generation variation designed for off premise, with hot chicken tenders and a sandwich along with new flavors for bone-in wings.

Operations

El Pollo Loco's second go round with birria was a bust

Despite the success of the first birria LTO last year, CEO Larry Roberts said the brand needs to return its focus to the menu cornerstone of grilled chicken.

Operations

Portillo's keeping menu price hike options open

Traffic dropped in the second quarter, but the company said consumers still see the Chicago-based brand as a great value and there's room for price increases.

Financing

Urban Plates refinances with $27 million investment

The deal will help the 17-unit Southern California fast-casual concept accelerate growth.

Operations

Chicken sandwiches are helping Wingstop capture the coveted heavy QSR user

The 12-flavor chicken sandwich line is introducing new customers to the wings brand and is helping to lower food costs.

Operations

How Atlas Restaurant Group put Baltimore on the culinary map

Over a decade, this group has grown from one to 34 concepts, and counting. Now Atlas is taking some of its restaurants to new markets around the country. The opportunities just keep coming.

Operations

Weekday booking slow in August? To drive traffic, American Express and Resy will pick up the check

At participating restaurants each week, Amex and Resy will cover $99 per person, starting Aug. 9.

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