Applebee's

Will the big casual chains ever be cool to millennials?

By Sara Rush Wirth on May 06, 2016

There's no denying that the legacy casual-dining concepts aren't scoring any points with millennials right now. But why? Here are three areas operators might want to consider if they want to get them back in the door.

Applebee’s bets on wood grills as key sales remedy

By Patricia Cobe on May 16, 2016

In its ongoing turnaround effort, Applebee's is launching a new menu platform focused on wood-fired cooking.

Financing

Chains are packing up for more favorable HQ sites

By Sara Rush Wirth on Jun. 13, 2016

McDonald's isn't the only chain relocating its home base. Several restaurant concepts announced in recent months that their HQs will soon have a new locale.

2016 Top 500 restaurant chains

Jun. 21, 2016

More than half of the restaurant industry’s $491 billion in sales come from the Top 500 chains. And these giants grew at a modestly stronger rate, both in terms of sales and store counts, than the industry overall. Restaurant Business focused on the leading 250 performers to identify trends for our first-ever special report delivering lessons from Technomic’s annual Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report. This special package includes lessons for all operators from the largest chains by segment, menu category and more.

Applebee's big turnaround bet fails to snap comp decline

By Peter Romeo on Aug. 03, 2016

The casual giant's parent has lowered its financial guidance for the remainder of the year.

Technology

Restaurant Business tests chain apps

By Sara Rush Wirth and Benita Gingerella on Oct. 30, 2016

With most chains trying to score valuable real estate on their customers’ phones, the Restaurant Business team took a look at 25 restaurant apps to see what’s working—and what’s not.

Food