Restaurant Daily
Your quick morning dose of the restaurant news you need, every weekday, from the editors of Restaurant Business and Nation's Restaurant News.
Chipotle released astounding sales and traffic numbers following consumer complaints about portion sizes. Wingstop is launching its first Paris restaurant as a popup. And California has new rules to protect workers from the heat.
Major changes to federal food safety oversight could be on the way. Bojangles is finding success with drive-thru AI. And Starbucks is expanding its solar energy efforts.
Red Lobster will soon have a new owner. MOD Pizza has seen some executive departures amid its recent sale. And McDonald’s is extending the run of its popular value meal.
Krispy Kreme has sold Insomnia Cookies to private equity firms. Panera is also apparently trying to offload secondary concepts. And the NLRB is backing down on the joint-employer fight.
Domino’s loyalty program is proving to be a major traffic booster. A massive tech outage is hindering some restaurant operations. And one regional coffee chain’s union activity is being put on hold.
Darden is pursuing another big casual-dining acquisition. Domino’s earnings were good, but Wall Street’s reaction was bad. And another small restaurant company has filed for bankruptcy.
Steak is apparently a cash cow for restaurants. Pricing continues to have an impact on traffic. And Smoothie King had a busy second quarter.
We have an update on restaurant traffic trends, including some good news. A long-defunct chain returns with a new Minnesota location. And the community is mourning the loss of a beloved chef.
Might the FTC be preparing to increase its franchising regulations? Here’s what we know about MOD Pizza’s new owner. And gamification is making new inroads in restaurant tech.
The FTC is putting an end to franchise junk fees. New York City says its wage hike for delivery drivers has been a success. And here’s how one growing coffee chain is innovating with matcha.
MOD Pizza has been sold. The wave of restaurant discounts appears to be working. And Chili’s gets sued by the Beastie Boys.
It’s a strange moment for restaurant mergers and acquisitions. Chipotle’s CFO is retiring. And Burger King is heating up its menu.
Customers found a loophole in McDonald’s $5 meal deal. Fast-food restaurants in a California city are switching to reusable cups. And two big AI suppliers are joining forces.
A fast-growing pizza chain is expected to file for bankruptcy protection. Panera’s overhauled menu appears to be a hit. And Dave’s Hot Chicken is expanding to a new country.
MOD Pizza is reportedly considering a bankruptcy filing. Fast-food restaurants in LA are facing more labor regulations. And menu innovation is defying the dog days of summer.
How is California’s new fast-food minimum wage impacting restaurant traffic? Boston Market’s creditors are finding there’s not much in the bank. And the president is cracking down on heat safety for workers.
Restaurant Brands International is buying back its China business. Craveworthy Brands opened a food hall. And Chipotle taps Olympic athletes for its latest promotion.
The summer of the value meal is upon us. Kura Sushi says business slowed in California. And which chains saw the most organic growth last year?
California restaurants get a reprieve from a service fee ban. Americans still love sub sandwiches. And what’s behind the recent wave of restaurant bankruptcies?
An Arby’s operator declared bankruptcy. Panera Bread confirms it was hit with a cyberattack. And consumers are finding less value at Chick-fil-A.
Starbucks is serving its customers an added jolt. Perkins is undergoing an extreme makeover. And Grubhub is taking a big plunge into grocery delivery.
Hooters closes some struggling restaurants. A Subway franchisee files for bankruptcy. And see the brands that are doing the best at satisfying their customers.
Uncle Julio’s apparently has a potential buyer in the wings. American Express bought reservations platform Tock. And, if you’ve noticed a lot of steak on fast-casual menus, you may be onto something.
McDonald’s much anticipated $5 summer value meal has arrived. Lower-income consumers remain a problem for Olive Garden. And WOWorks is on the hunt for more brands.
A number of small restaurant chains have filed for bankruptcy recently. Pizza Hut is trying to terminate one of its largest franchisees. And another bankrupt chain gets hit with an employee lawsuit.
Accomplished chef James Kent has died. Fast-casual pizza chain Blaze overhauled its brand. And Asian concepts were among the winners in casual dining last year.
McDonald’s is ending its AI drive-thru test. Former Red Lobster employees are suing the chain. And a TGI Fridays operator files for bankruptcy.
The Supreme Court delivers a win for Starbucks. The economy comes for Dave & Buster’s. And yet another chain launches a meal bundle.
Alamo Drafthouse has been sold. There’s good and bad news on the menu price inflation front. And Starbucks is joining the value wars.
The impact of the $20 fast-food wage in California is still revealing itself. Noodles and Company appears to be popular with activist investors. And a respected restaurant founder, investor and advisor has died.
Restaurant industry sales may be worse than originally expected this year. Applebee’s debuts a new chicken sandwich. And Tijuana Flats gets a new CEO.
Service fees may be sticking around in California. An Alamo Drafthouse franchise shuttered its six locations. And what are the up-and-coming restaurant concepts in this year’s Top 500 report?
Starbucks is making a big change to its app. An Alamo Drafthouse operator goes under. And viral food trends are turning into actual menu items.
Another restaurant chain has declared bankruptcy. US operators appear to be struggling in China. And Burger King is expanding its flame-grilled offerings.
Technomic’s Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report is out. Social media is a blessing and a curse for restaurant chains. And Condado Tacos has a new CEO.
Rubio’s Coastal Grill is closing nearly 50 locations. Red Lobster could close more than 100 more of its restaurants. And Portillo’s will now be open earlier.
The fast-food industry is changing. RB’s Top 500 ranking of the biggest chains is out. And BurgerFi is weighing its options.
McDonald’s less-frequent guests are at the heart of its value perception problem. Cracker Barrel is pumping the brakes on Maple Street Biscuit Co. And Red Robin’s turnaround campaign is beginning to bear fruit.
McDonald’s is going on the defensive over menu prices. There’s good news for folks who work up an appetite while online shopping. And Subway is setting a financial record.
Fast food is now a luxury for most Americans. A new protein is coming to Cava. And KFC’s new menu item was cooked up with Gen Z in mind.
There’s apparently an epidemic of restaurant industry misinformation. There’s a new Minnesota law regulating restaurant pricing standards. And a documentary filmmaker who was influential in fast food has died.
Red Lobster says it has a plan to improve its operations. Sysco says consumers, particularly fast-food ones, are struggling. And Fuzzy’s Taco Shop says it’s opening a bunch of new restaurants.
What role did private equity play in Red Lobster’s bankruptcy? A bunch of KFC locations get a new owner. And a look at some of the biggest tech trends to emerge from the National Restaurant Association Show.
Where did Red Lobster get the shrimp for its endless shrimp promotion? Beverages are hot right now. And IHOP is getting an assist from AI.
Red Lobster, as expected, has declared bankruptcy. Dynamic pricing has been a hot topic at the restaurant show. And Greg Flynn is expanding his restaurant empire.
Cannabis beverages, protecting margins and AI have been some of the top themes at the National Restaurant Show. Cracker Barrel is doing a $700 million makeover. And Buffalo Wild Wings is tempting fate with its latest promotion.
Restaurants may be losing business to Walmart. McDonald’s new dessert was inspired by grandmas. And has Chipotle changed its portion sizes?
Red Lobster is said to be filing for bankruptcy protection very soon. Expect to be able to order a $5 McDonald’s value meal next month. And restaurant inflation continues to outpace grocery stores.
Red Lobster closes dozens of locations. Twin Peaks is preparing to go public. And Pizza Hut puts its spin on a cheeseburger.
A prominent McDonald’s franchisee is suing the chain. A revered New England chef has died. And technology will be a key focus of this year’s National Restaurant Association Show, which kicks off this weekend.