Tot takeover, McDonald’s, El Pollo Loco
Tots are inching up on menus. McDonald’s layoffs are expected to be in the thousands. And El Pollo Loco is revamping its loyalty program.
Apr 05, 2023•5 min
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.
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Episodes
McDonald’s layoffs, Noodles rewards, cookie craze
McDonald’s is preparing for corporate layoffs. Noodles & Co. picks up the pace of rewards giveaways. And cookies are the menu item of the moment.
Apr 04, 2023•4 min
Firehouse Subs, Sweet Tomatoes, Subway
Firehouse Subs is getting a new CEO, the Sweet Tomatoes buffet chain is making a comeback, and Subway leans into the pickleball craze.
Apr 03, 2023•4 min
Subway, Burger King, Yum Brands
Subway has some interested buyers. A bankrupt Burger King operator is nearing a sale. And Yum Brands has a deal to help underrepresented franchisees.
Mar 31, 2023•4 min
IHOP, Sweetgreen, Burger King
IHOP dropped a new menu. Sweetgreen is offering a Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl as an LTO. And another Burger King operator is in trouble.
Mar 30, 2023•4 min
Arby’s, Presto, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
Arby’s has launched its new King’s Hawaiian Sweet Heat Sandwiches. Presto CEO Rajat Suri is stepping down. And Firebirds Wood Fired Grill has a new owner.
Mar 28, 2023•4 min
Franchise forecast, McAlister’s Deli, Chipotle settlement
Fast-food franchises have a rosy outlook. McAlister’s Deli approaches a milestone. And Chipotle settles a union lawsuit.
Mar 28, 2023•5 min
Starbucks, Burger King, Reef
The Starbucks union airs its demands, while the chain’s CEO says he’ll work as a barista once a month. Burger King makes an electric vehicle pledge, and Reef closes more ghost kitchens.
Mar 27, 2023•5 min
KFC, McDonald’s, Olive Garden
Kentucky Fried Chicken Nuggets are launching nationwide Monday. McDonald’s is adding new geofencing technology to its mobile app. And lower prices have helped grow sales at Olive Garden.
Mar 24, 2023•4 min
Papa Johns, Chipotle, Illinois restaurant aid
Papa Johns’ CFO is leaving the company. Chipotle’s venture fund makes some more investments. And Illinois gives restaurants another round of pandemic aid.
Mar 23, 2023•4 min
Dunkin’, DoorDash, Panera
Dunkin’ is launching breakfast tacos. DoorDash now takes cash for some orders. And soon you may be able to pay with the palm of your hand at Panera Bread.
Mar 22, 2023•4 min
McDonald’s bankruptcy, Starbucks CEO, Teriyaki Madness
A McDonald’s franchisee files for bankruptcy. Starbucks’ new CEO starts two weeks early. And Teriyaki Madness gives franchisees a deal.
Mar 21, 2023•3 min
Paid time off, service fees, McDonald’s
Restaurants in Illinois will soon need to provide paid time off. Restaurants in D.C. will have to disclose service fees. And a tweet got in the way of Grubhub’s delivery relationship with McDonald’s.
Mar 20, 2023•4 min
Denny’s, openings and closings, Popeyes
Denny’s is introducing a new baked menu line. We’ll discuss this month’s notable restaurant openings and closings. And a Popeyes franchisee has declared bankruptcy.
Mar 17, 2023•5 min
Innovative equipment, McDonald’s development, free lobster
The National Restaurant Association hands out awards for kitchen equipment. Chipotle’s chief development officer heads to McDonald’s. And did someone say free lobster?
Mar 16, 2023•4 min
Menu prices, McDonald’s franchisees, delivery companies
Restaurant menu prices continued to increase in February. McDonald’s franchisees are expressing fear over surveys. And delivery companies can continue treating their drivers as independent contractors in California
Mar 15, 2023•3 min
Restaurant jobs, discounts, consumers
The FTC is taking a closer look at franchising. Chipotle’s chief development officer is leaving. And restaurant tech startups avoid a catastrophe.
Mar 14, 2023•3 min
Restaurant jobs, discounts, consumers
Restaurants and bars added nearly 70,000 jobs in February. Looking for a discount? Check your mobile apps. And when it comes to fast-food restaurants, consumers are going back to normal.
Mar 13, 2023•4 min
Taco Bell, delivery fee cap, focus on operators
Restaurants are focusing more on operations as costs continue to soar. Taco Bell is bringing back more fan favorites. And New York restaurants are divided over delivery fee caps
Mar 10, 2023•4 min
Another Burger King bankruptcy, First Watch, DoorDash
Another Burger King franchisee declares bankruptcy. First Watch is liking the returns from new restaurants. And if your restaurant isn’t part of DoorDash’s DoubleDash program, it is now.
Mar 09, 2023•4 min
Andy Wiederhorn, Subway, Uber Eats
Andy Wiederhorn is stepping down as CEO of Fat Brands. Subway is giving away footlong chips to celebrate National Potato Chip Day. And travelers and staff at Tampa International airport will soon be able to use Uber Eats to order food.
Mar 08, 2023•4 min
Subway, Panera, First Watch
Subway has some interested buyers. Panera Bread turned to its seat cushions for a new ad campaign. And how First Watch comes up with its LTOs.
Mar 07, 2023•3 min
Bojangles, Potbelly, Wendy’s dilemma
Bojangles sees more boneless chicken in its future. Wendy’s might have to buy another brand. And a promising trend for Potbelly.
Mar 06, 2023•3 min
Portillo’s, Farmesa, Danny Meyer
Portillo’s is optimistic about expansion outside of the Midwest. Farmesa began its soft opening this week. And Danny Meyer invested in a reservations company.
Mar 03, 2023•4 min
Double Down, Wendy’s, Applebee’s
KFC doubles down on an old menu favorite. Wendy’s unveils a new growth plan. And Applebee’s will get smaller again this year.
Mar 02, 2023•4 min
Carrols Restaurant Group, small pizzerias, Noodles & Company
Fewer discounts are working for Carrols Restaurant Group. Small pizzerias have thrived over the past year. And Noodles & Company is offering restaurant workers a free bowl.
Mar 01, 2023•3 min
Steak n Shake, joint employer, Chipotle
Steak n Shake franchisees closed a lot of locations last year. McDonald’s sounds the alarm about joint employer. And Chipotle’s newest menu item came from TikTok.
Feb 28, 2023•4 min
Corner Bakery, Sweetgreen, Domino's
Corner Bakery files for bankruptcy. Sweetgreen pumps the brakes. And Domino’s focuses on carryout.
Feb 27, 2023•3 min
White Castle, pizza delivery, Dutch Bros
White Castle might have violated Illinois’ biometric identification law. Inflation may be turning consumers away from pizza delivery. And Dutch Bros hopes to take a break from raising prices.
Feb 24, 2023•4 min
Olive oil coffee, Wingstop, Panera
Ever put olive oil in your coffee? Starbucks is giving it a shot. Wingstop is soaring into 2023. And Panera adds another tier to its Unlimited Sip Club.
Feb 23, 2023•4 min
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