Starbucks layoffs, Denny’s egg surcharge, Just Salad
Starbucks is laying off a significant number of corporate workers. Denny’s is adding an egg surcharge. And this fast-casual salad chain just got a big cash infusion
Feb 25, 2025•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
Hooters bankruptcy?, Texas Roadhouse slow start, Church’s CEO
Another casual-dining chain is reportedly considering bankruptcy. It’s been a slow start to 2025 for Texas Roadhouse. And Church’s Texas Chicken has a new CEO.
Feb 24, 2025•5 min
Outback layoffs, Shake Shack innovation lab, Flower Child blooms
Outback Steakhouse laid off dozens of corporate workers. Shake Shack is plotting an innovation kitchen. And a fast-casual growth brand is performing very well for The Cheesecake Factory.
Feb 21, 2025•5 min
Torchy’s CEO, Chipotle hiring, Sweetgreen subscription
Torchy’s Tacos has a new CEO. Chipotle is looking to boost its labor pool. And Sweetgreen seems to be doing away with its subscription program.
Feb 20, 2025•6 min
KFC to Texas, RBI buys BK China, MTY acquisitions
A fast-food chain long connected to Kentucky is moving out of the state. Burger King’s parent company is buying the brand’s China business. And a well-known restaurant chain collector is hunting for more.
Feb 19, 2025•4 min
Papa Johns takeover?, Panera layoffs, skipping breakfast
A takeover for Papa Johns? More layoffs at Panera Bread. And consumers appear to be skipping breakfast.
Feb 18, 2025•6 min
KFC president, Wendy’s slides, Dutch Bros scores
KFC has a new U.S. president. Wendy’s reported weak sales. But Dutch Bros, meanwhile, said loyal customers gave it a big sales boost.
Feb 14, 2025•5 min
Dave’s Hot Chicken, In-N-Out headquarters, Burger King remodels
Another restaurant brand is reportedly for sale. In-N-Out is making some big changes. And Burger King’s remodeling program continues.
Feb 13, 2025•5 min
McDonald’s, tariffs, Patrick Doyle
The fast-food industry is starting 2025 off on the wrong foot. Tariffs are back on steel and aluminum. And Patrick Doyle shares his thoughts on franchising.
Feb 12, 2025•5 min
McDonald’s earnings, Chick-fil-A drink caddies, restaurant tech
McDonald’s is still struggling a bit after last fall’s E. coli outbreak. Chick-fil-A is testing a new environmentally friendly drink solution. And does greater restaurant tech lead to profitability?
Feb 11, 2025•4 min
Restaurant jobs, KFC struggles, Twin Peaks dispute
Restaurants cut jobs in January. KFC’s struggles continue, but the company is bullish on Saucy. And a dispute is brewing at one of Twin Peaks’ most successful franchisees.
Feb 10, 2025•5 min
Industry outlook, Yum update, Canlis changes
The National Restaurant Association expects 2025 to be a big year for the industry. Yum Brands has formed a new tech platform. And one of the country’s most notable independent restaurants is in the midst of a major shakeup.
Feb 07, 2025•6 min
Starbucks marketing, franchising growth, Chipotle-tariffs
Starbucks is revving up its marketing with free coffee for everybody the day after the Super Bowl. Franchising growth is outpacing the broader economy. And Chipotle says it’s prepared, even if the price of Mexican avocados shoots up.
Feb 06, 2025•5 min
McDonald’s, Waffle House, seed oil
McDonald’s is bringing back a character who disappeared in the ’80s. Waffle House has added an egg surcharge. And another chain has gone seed-oil free. Welcome to Restaurant Daily, a quick look at the industry’s top stories from the editors of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Business. I’m NRN Managing Editor Leigh Anne Zinsmeister.
Feb 05, 2025•5 min
Tariffs, Pizza Hut franchisee, Applebee’s layoffs
How will proposed tariffs impact the restaurant industry? Here’s how one Pizza Hut franchisee lost his 142-store empire. And Applebee’s is laying off some of its corporate staff.
Feb 04, 2025•7 min
Pizza Hut, menu price inflation, Starbucks union
77 Pizza Hut restaurants have been bought out of bankruptcy. Menu price inflation may be normalizing. And Starbucks and its union are going to mediation.
Feb 03, 2025•6 min
TGI Fridays closures, Twin Peaks IPO, Chuck E. Cheese
TGI Fridays continues to dwindle. Twin Peaks is now a publicly traded restaurant company. And Chuck E. Cheese is undergoing a rebirth.
Jan 31, 2025•5 min
Chili’s, McDonald’s, federal funding
An unlikely turnaround at Chili’s is now complete. Who is Alyssa Buetikofer (BUTTE-i-cougher), McDonald’s U.S.’s new CMO? And the Trump administration has frozen - and unfrozen - federal grants and loans that don’t align with the new president’s priorities.
Jan 30, 2025•6 min
Starbell-Tacobucks, executive moves, Pizza Hut app
Starbucks’ executive ranks are getting pretty Taco Bell heavy. McDonald’s is also making some leadership moves. And Pizza Hut is launching a new app.
Jan 29, 2025•6 min
Starbucks, Red Robin, Duck Donuts
Starbucks is paying the two men who served as CEO last year a lot of money. Red Robin is starting to hit its stride. And a doughnut-chain CEO has resigned amid layoffs at headquarters.
Jan 28, 2025•4 min
Taco Bell, Dutch Bros, Qdoba
Taco Bell has a new leader for its North America division. Dutch Bros is outperforming Starbucks. And Qdoba is gunning to reach a big milestone.
Jan 27, 2025•4 min
Higher costs, Denny’s growth plans, omakase trends
A combination of factors will likely lead to higher costs for restaurants this year. Denny’s hit the reset button and is preparing for growth. And a traditionally Japanese menu style is finding its way into all sorts of concepts.
Jan 24, 2025•5 min
Consumer confidence, Lettuce Entertain You CEO, McDonald’s-Pokemon
A clearer picture of how consumers are feeling in the new year is starting to emerge. One of the country’s largest multi-concept restaurant groups has a new CEO. And McDonald’s is going all-in on Pokemon.
Jan 23, 2025•4 min
Starbucks, Wahlburgers closures, Charles Phan
Layoffs may be coming to Starbucks. Hy-Vee is closing 79 Wahlburgers units. And Charles Phan, the chef and restaurateur behind San Francisco’s Slanted Door, has died.
Jan 22, 2025•6 min
Panera, P.F. Chang’s spinoff, Dutch Bros
Panera is going through a major transformative period. P.F. Chang’s has big plans for its fast-casual spinoff. And Dutch Bros is targeting a surprising daypart.
Jan 21, 2025•3 min
ICR, restaurant sales, Steak ‘n Shake fries
ICR Conference attendees report they’re cautiously optimistic about their businesses after a rocky year. Restaurant sales ended the year down, according to new Census data. And Steak ‘n Shake is making a meaty change to its fries.
Jan 17, 2025•5 min
Papa Johns, inflation, Portillo’s
Papa Johns’ CEO is hoping to course correct the company. The price gap between groceries and restaurants continues to narrow. And Portillo’s outlined a robust plan to bolster traffic, margins, and returns.
Jan 16, 2025•4 min
Starbucks’ loitering, McDonald’s economic impact, Dave & Buster’s
If you want to use the Starbucks bathroom, you’re going to have to buy some coffee. McDonald’s has a significant economic impact in the U.S. And Dave & Buster’s has some significant problems to solve.
Jan 15, 2025•5 min
Shake Shack, Papa Johns, fast-food traffic
Shake Shack wants to quadruple its domestic unit count. Papa Johns is adding new restaurants itself, despite slowing sales. And fast-food restaurants had a good fourth quarter… if you don’t count December.
Jan 14, 2025•4 min
CosMc’s closures, restaurant hiring, Hartung-Portillo’s
McDonald’s is making some big changes to its beverage-focused concept. Hiring at restaurants and bars is surging. And Portillo’s has added a surprising name to its board.
Jan 13, 2025•3 min
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