Restaurant Daily

Sam’s Club is now delivering pizzas. DoorDash is no longer in the AI voice business. And hotel workers in Los Angeles could soon be paid at least $30 an hour.

Hardee’s is in a dispute with one of its largest franchisees. Get ready for midnight Big Macs. And if you’ve ever wished for a dragon flame-grilled Whopper, now is your chance.

Krispy Kreme shareholders are not pleased about the delay in the chain’s McDonald’s partnership. The 2025 National Restaurant Show wraps up. And here’s how social media is changing the restaurant industry.

Consumers still want free WiFi, even if they’re getting takeout more often. Partnerships are key to retail success stories. And to succeed at franchising, you need a deeper “why.”

The MenuMasters gala awards ceremony recognized industry trailblazers. Uncertainty was a key theme for attendees during Day One of the National Restaurant Show. And THC-infused beverages are a hot topic at this year’s Show.

The owner of Twin Peaks has a new CEO. Consumers’ favorite restaurant brand might come as a surprise. Jack in the Box believes it can find a buyer for Del Taco.

Burger King built its new prototype in a new testing facility. Popeyes is running more restaurants to show franchisees how to do it. And 32 chains in the Top 500 experienced double-digit sales declines in 2024 versus 2023.

One food-and-games chain is testing value offers. A plant-based chain has filed for bankruptcy. And In-N-Out is phasing out some food colorings.

Restaurant chains are getting creative when it comes to generating traffic. McDonald’s has plans to hire a lot of people this summer. And Luckin Coffee is making its debut in the U.S.

Here’s yet another indication that 2025 is shaping up to be a brutal year for restaurants. Texas Roadhouse, though, says it is bouncing back from earlier struggles. But Burger King’s parent is feeling the consumer uncertainty.

Krispy Kreme is pausing its McDonald’s rollout. Burger King is changing out franchisees to improve operations. And Papa Johns’ focus on pizza is paying off.

Two casual-dining chains are rethinking their value messages. Burger King is facing some scrutiny over the size of its Whoppers. And Caribou Coffee is hoping a new celebrity chef partnership will drive traffic.

Portillo’s is deciding whether to expand breakfast. Denny’s has pulled the trigger on an aggressive value deal. And Nothing Bundt Cakes is going all-in in San Diego.

KFC and McDonald’s are duking it out in the latest iteration of the chicken wars. McDonald’s is hoping the third time’s a charm when it comes to chicken tenders. And Washington, D.C.’s mayor is calling for the return of the tip credit.

Chili’s success may benefit Applebee’s. Wendy’s is making changes to resist consumer pressure. And the long battle over New York City’s delivery fee cap is over.

Someone wants to buy Olo. McDonald’s sales took a hit. And get ready for Shake Shack combo meals. Welcome to Restaurant Daily, a look at the most important restaurant news of the day from the editors of Restaurant Business and Nation’s Restaurant News. I’m Jonathan Maze, editor in chief of RB.

Panera is getting out of the fresh-dough business. Wingstop is seeing a sales slowdown. But Chili’s continues its upward trajectory.

Subway closed more restaurants last year. Portillo’s is making nice with its activist investor. And Sweetgreen has a new COO.

There’s yet another new CEO in the chain restaurant universe. Dessert chain Crumbl is being sued over the music it uses in social media. And Domino’s Pizza is feeling the squeeze of declining consumer confidence.

Chipotle blamed its sales decline on consumers slowing their spending. Bertucci’s has filed for bankruptcy for a third time. And the legal battle between Uber and DoorDash is heating up.

There’s big CEO news at two restaurant brands. Chipotle did something it hasn’t done since the pandemic. And McDonald’s is adding a new menu item.

Consumers are expected to cut back on restaurant spending this summer. North Italia has reinvented its brunch and happy hour menus. And the fast-casual Currito chain is accelerating its growth.

Maggiano’s is leaning into luxury. With value-focused pricing. Salad and Go has a new CEO. And pizza chains are feeling the pinch from third-party delivery.

McDonald’s is giving thanks for Minecraft. Chipotle is heading to Mexico. And did the potential restaurant industry tech disruptors actually disrupt anything?

Cookie chain Crumbl had a solid 2024. There’s new energy at IHOP. And here’s the inside story of the rise, fall and possible rebirth of Hooters.