Restaurant Daily

Potbelly’s franchise acceleration efforts are working. Dave & Buster’s is sporting a new prototype. And Chipotle is boosting its benefits again.

People eating less lunch at fast-food restaurants. Burger King is suddenly a big restaurant operator. And ezCater is spotlighting underrepresented groups.

Craveworthy Brands is buying a dessert concept. In-N-Out Burger is making an unusual move. And Subway’s new snack line has some interesting partners.

Boston Market is facing yet another censure. Subway’s new slicers aren’t quite cutting it, franchisees say. And newly public eatertainment chain Pinstripes said it hopes to grow significantly.

Peet’s is taking over coffee roasting for Caribou Coffee. A big Applebee’s franchisee is expanding. And Craveworthy Brands has a packed 2024 agenda.

Inside Wetzel’s Pretzels new franchise program. Jersey Mike’s is heading north. And Jimmy John’s is going global.

Red Lobster is for sale again. Burger King makes a big acquisition and Subway franchisees in California are joining forces to face a frightening labor landscape ahead.

7-Eleven is going to become the owner of a 600-unit taco chain. Restaurants appear to have scored a victory on the joint-employer standard. And Shipley Do-Nuts has sugar-fueled growth plans.

Struggling Boston Market is waiving traditional franchising rules, allowing just about anyone to operate under its brand. Veggie Grill has a new owner. And Chipotle’s founder is germinating a new concept.

Flippy the burger-flipping robot is ready for the big time, its CEO says. Might Qdoba go public? And here’s how Famous Toastery whipped up a college bowl title sponsorship in just a few weeks.

First Watch is buying up more franchised locations. One small coffee chain is opting out of its union. And BurgerFi’s turnaround is on the horizon, its CEO says.

MOD Pizza gets a new CEO. Dutch Bros adds three c-level executives. Papa John’s wants to spend more on marketing amid an expansion push. And a Las Vegas operator discovers how tough Uncle Sam can be when you try to cheat on your taxes.

Kura Sushi had a solid quarter. A Boston restaurateur is closing several restaurants and selling others. And the National Restaurant Association has a new chairman.

War in the Middle East is apparently impacting sales at McDonald’s. There’s a new drive-thru salad concept worth watching. And Boston Market keeps shrinking.

TGI Friday’s is shrinking. More new restaurants are opening. And Bloomin’ Brands gets an interesting new director.

Is pizza self-delivery going the way of the dinosaurs? Tropical Smoothie Cafe is apparently up for sale. And a Brazilian acai concept has big U.S. expansion plans.

A look at the best stories of the year in Restaurant Business. FSC Franchising Co. has acquired the Newk's fast casual brand. And on-the-job deaths of restaurant workers rose 22% last year.

Same-store sales softened in the third quarter. McDonald’s launches Squishmallows Happy Meals. And the Seattle restaurant JuneBaby is scheduled to close permanently.

Chuck E. Cheese is for sale. McDonald’s is surveying its franchisees about child labor law violations. And NRD Capital is getting into the pickleball entertainment business.

Darden Restaurants has not seen much trading down by customers. Restaurant visits for breakfast are up 4% this year. And Sweetgreen opened its second location of its Infinite Kitchen concept.

Wingstop has a new CIO. Restaurant sales keep going up. And US Foods accused Boston Market of delay tactics. 

A look at why McDonald’s wants a piece of the specialty beverage market. Chipotle’s venture fund has made two more investments in planet-friendly technology. And TGI Fridays names new executives.

2023 was the year of delivery ordering “for the vibes.” The owner of Boston Market has filed personal bankruptcy. And restaurant chains are buying some international units from franchisees.

Randy Garutti is retiring as CEO of Shake Shack. Wendy’s is testing AI voice ordering, And Boston Market is accusing US Foods of overcharging the chain for its food.

McDonald’s new drive-thru beverage concept had a soft open this week. Chipotle is partnering with digital business loan marketplace Bridge. And Rock N Roll Sushi names new executives.