Panera Bread

Panera's higher purpose

On first blush, it’s like learning Warren Buffett has changed his name to Moonbeam and moved into a commune, one sweat lodge over from Donald Trump’s. Panera Bread, one of the restaurant industry’s biggest financial successes, the proof of free enterprise’s potential, the pin-up above the headboard of so many arch-capitalists, isn’t sold on the whole profit-motive thing.

2016 Top 500 restaurant chains

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.

He'll be succeeded by Blaine Hurst, but will remain involved with the chain while simultaneously serving in a strategic role for owner JAB Holdings.

Each year, the National Restaurant Association surveys over 1,800 chefs who are members of the American Culinary Federation to get their top trend predictions. The forecast looks bright for cheese, as reported in the NRA’s “What’s Hot 2013 Chef Survey.”

A New Brunswick-based operator of KFCs and Pizza Huts plans to develop the bakery-cafes across Canada.

Here are some of the industry standouts who died during the past year, and the legacies they left.

The National Restaurant Association’s May convention is an ideal place to find answers to everyday dilemmas. Here's how to avoid being hissed off the trade-show floor.

Ed Doherty insists his success as a restaurant franchisee is a tale of phenomenal luck, starting with the purchase of his first restaurants in 1985.

In a letter to employees, now-former CEO Ron Shaich details strong improvement.

CEO outlines how the burger chain is aiming to draw a younger crowd with new menu items, digital campaigns and more.

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