Restaurant Daily

Papa Johns has kicked off its refranchising effort. Wingstop is quickly inching closer to its goal of becoming a top 10 restaurant brand. And  franchisees are suing Round Table Pizza over marketing. This episode of Restaurant Daily is sponsored by O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Cream. Visit https://www.okeeffescompany.com/restaurantdaily and use code NRN for 15% off your first order.

P.F. Chang’s wants to be an everyday option. Shake Shack is looking for a new CFO and restaurant sales are up, but fast food sales are not.

FAT Brands lenders want their money. Noodles & Company has announced retention bonuses in case of a sale. And US Foods and Performance Food Group have ended talks that would have created the country’s largest broadline food distributor by revenue.

Looks like a struggling pizza chain might soon have a new owner. Starbucks had a very big Red Cup Day this year. And international expansion can be tricky business for restaurants.

Jack in the Box had a tough fourth quarter. Cracker Barrel’s logo fallout has led to the loss of a board member. And jobs in restaurants and bars continued to trend upward in September.

Chicken’s popularity doesn’t concern the biggest chicken chain in the world. Consumers’ dine-out preferences are changing. And emerging chain Luna Grill has started to figure out a good cost equation for its business.

Panera Bread wants to return to its glory days. Topgolf has a new owner. And the parent company of Papa Murphy’s may be for sale.

A Freddy’s Frozen Custard franchisee has filed for bankruptcy. Velvet Taco’s CEO is leaving after 8 years with the brand. And Popeyes has launched an exclusive collaboration with a horror film.

Luckin Coffee could go public, again. Menu price inflation is moderating. And why restaurant lenders are being more picky right now.

Starbucks is enjoying some holiday cheer. Pura Vida Miami has won a private equity investment. And Shakey's wants to be your neighborhood pizza parlor again.

Carl’s Jr is taking a swipe at McDonald’s. Congress is trying to pressure Starbucks to move forward with a union contract. And will the IPO market make a comeback?

P.F. Chang’s has its second new CEO this year. Bifurcated consumers are impacting sales results. And Red Robin’s executives are optimistic, despite falling revenue.

Sweetgreen is looking to capitalize on the current protein craze. Sardar Biglari is getting an assist in his fight against Cracker Barrel. And Burger King has big plans in China.

Wendy’s will close hundreds of U.S. restaurants in the coming months. Sweetgreen is selling its Spyce technology to Wonder. And beef inflation is putting pressure on Texas Roadhouse.

An Outback Steakhouse turnaround plan is in the works. Tijuana Flats has a new owner. And Papa Johns is not for sale.

The Snack Wrap and value helped McDonald’s last quarter. Wingstop is developing its first loyalty program. And Taco Bell is innovating on its signature Baja Blast flavor.

Pizza Hut appears to be on the hunt for a buyer. Denny’s is going private for the first time in decades. And Wingstop is feeling the impacts of consumer anxiety.

Starbucks is going on offense. Wendy’s sees a silver lining in its Frosty program. And TGI Fridays’ U.S. manager has acquired its counterpart across the pond.

Popeyes is working through a slump. El Pollo Loco is improving profitability, and New York’s Waldorf Astoria is back and better than ever.

Chipotle downgraded expectations for the year – again – after a disappointing third quarter. The world’s largest franchise group is adding a new brand to its portfolio.  And Burger King’s focus on its signature Whopper is paying off.

It was another big quarter for Chili’s. Get ready for a Cheesecake Factory app. And a pub chain has a new owner.

Chili’s is bringing back its Skillet Queso following a swift outcry on social media. 7 Brew is leading the coffee segment in traffic as bigger coffee chains struggle. And Taco Bell continues to expand its Live Mas Cafe beverage concept.

Yet another ghost kitchen operator appears to be shrinking. An investment gadfly is speaking out against Cracker Barrel. And here’s why technological redundancies just may be a good thing.

Cracker Barrel’s CEO has spoken out about “logo-gate” for the first time. Dunkin’ is getting ready to run in the afternoons. And The Consumer Price Index was published Friday after a 10-day delay.

Potbelly is now officially owned by a convenience-store chain. Perkins has a new CEO. And there are some looming questions as we approach third-quarter earnings.