Restaurant Daily

A potential merger would form the nation's largest broadline food distributor. A drive-thru chain is closing more than 40 locations. And a value item at Pizza Hut has evolved into a platform for innovation.

There’s activist investor interest in Denny’s. McDonald’s is adding more muscle to its global impact team. And here are some of the big takeaways from the FSTEC technology conference.

McDonald’s is investing in regenerative agriculture. Popeyes is turning up the heat with a new partnership. And IHOP is doubling down on value.

There’s a new publicly traded restaurant chain for the first time in three years. Can Portillo’s get its groove back? And speed wins, when it comes to delivery.

The value wars are being fought on third-party delivery apps, restaurant chains might want to focus marketing on younger consumers, and menu pricing at full-service restaurants ticked up to its highest level in two years.

Potbelly was sold to a big name in the convenience store sector. Portillo’s has ended its test of breakfast, and Outback is hopping on the appetizer trio trend.

Cracker Barrel is walking back even more of its planned brand revamp. A food-and-games chain has filed for bankruptcy protection. And Taco Bell’s parent company is shaking up its leadership ranks.

Freddy’s is going global. Red Lobster is poking fun at its own bankruptcy. And Waffle House is jumping fully into delivery.

Freddy’s officially has a new owner. McDonald’s is pushing back on the tip credit. And it was a very slow jobs report for August.

Noodles & Company is pondering a sale that would likely take the fast-casual chain private. Raising Cane’s is bringing chicken fingers to London. And CAVA is bringing Chicken Shawarma to its system for a limited time.

Starbucks has a new AI assistant for inventory tracking. Andy Wiederhorn is back at the helm of Fat Brands. And a casual-dining Mexican chain declared bankruptcy.

It was a big Pumpkin Spice Latte debut for Starbucks. Black Rock Coffee is looking for a big IPO. And one BBQ chain continues to close stores

Restaurant profitability has worsened since before the pandemic.  White Castle is defending its turf as a longtime leader in late-night. And one market-research firm has Logan’s Roadhouse as the top casual-dining chain for customer experience.

Taco Bell continues to win with marketing. The Crunchwrap is the latest source of menu innovation. And a new law in Texas will make it easier on restaurant operators there.

Cracker Barrel is scrapping its new logo. A Bloomin’ Brands director is taking the lead on addressing mental health in the industry. And restaurant brands are ready to celebrate the engagement of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.

Donald Trump is weighing in on Cracker Barrel’s new logo. Chili’s shook up the casual-dining curve last quarter. And one smoothie chain is adding food for the first time.

\Concerned guests can now scoop their own Chipotle protein. Pumpkin Spice is back at Starbucks. And there’s an underrated element to casual-dining’s comeback.

Chili’s corporate workers are getting some big bonuses after a big year. What will McDonald’s freshly discounted bundles mean for the bottom line? And diners aren’t drinking like they used to.

Cracker Barrel has drawn the ire of conservatives, a lot of cars are adding their own drive-thrus to restaurants and here comes Zipotle.

McDonald’s is discounting its combo meals. A coffee company took a key step toward becoming public. And restaurants aren’t all that profitable.

Another casual-dining company has filed for bankruptcy. Starbucks is giving out some modest raises. And sweetgreen is bringing in baby goats.

Taylor Swift is inspiring creative restaurant marketing ploys. Operators are encouraging franchisee growth with cash incentives. And Applebee’s is launching an appetizer value ploy.

Texas Roadhouse appears ready to gear up for even more growth. An AI drive-thru firm has a new hire from Wendy’s. And Blue Apron’s new owner is shaking up meal kits.

Noodles is shrinking, food costs are rising and a tech supplier is laying off staff.

Chili’s had another eye-popping quarter. That’s in stark contrast to the broader restaurant industry, which is struggling. And a federal labor judge has ruled against Starbucks.