RB Daily
By Restaurant Business Online
RB Daily Apr 20, 2022
Swipe fees, Benihana, insider trading
Credit card swipe fees are going down, so why are restaurants so unhappy? Benihana is sold for $365 million. And a group of baseball players are accused of illegally trading Del Taco stock.
McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme, Danny Meyer, marketing fails
McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme are expanding their partnership. Danny Meyer is offering his hospitality expertise to non-restaurant businesses. And a look at some of the biggest marketing flops in restaurant history.
Panera outage, D.C. tip credit, pizza problems
Panera Bread is dealing with a digital outage. Full-service restaurants in D.C. are slashing jobs. And the pizza business has fallen on hard times.
Sluggish sales, Red Lobster, Rob Lynch
Restaurant sales are slowing. Red Lobster has a new CEO. And how Shake Shack lured Rob Lynch away from Papa Johns.
Olive Garden, California wages, Shake Shack CEO
Lower-income diners aren’t going to Olive Garden as often as they used to. California’s fast-food wage-setting process seems to be getting more and more complicated. And Shake Shack just named the second CEO in its history.
Chipotle’s stock split, Subway’s big switch, AI bread
Chipotle makes New York Stock Exchange history. Why Subway’s switch to Pepsi is such a big deal. And can AI make artisanal bread?
McDonald’s chairman, Subway’s soda switch, Wonder
McDonald’s CEO is adding a new title to his job description. Subway is switching soda suppliers. And Wonder lands another nine-figure funding round.
Panera Bread, unified commerce, Virtual Dining Concepts
It looks like Panera Bread is not, in fact, exempt from California’s fast-food wage hike. Get to know unified commerce, the latest tech buzzword. And Virtual Dining Concepts continues to collect concepts.
Corner Bakery’s comeback, Subway, Boston Market
Corner Bakery is bouncing back from bankruptcy. Subway franchisees just hired a high-powered attorney. And former employees of the struggling Boston Market say they’re having problems filing their taxes.
Kernel, C3 acquisition, &Pizza CEO
The new concept from Chipotle’s founder is looking to reimagine fast-casual dining. Digital restaurant group C3 has made another acquisition. And &Pizza has a new-ish CEO.
McDonald's, Five Iron Gold, Pizza Hut
Get ready for bigger burgers at McDonald’s (again). Five Iron Golf gets a high-profile endorsement. And Pizza Hut tries the bagel business.
Menu prices, fast-casual delivery, Keith Lee Effect
Restaurant menu prices are easing. There’s a new partnership between two delivery-focused fast casuals. And what is the Keith Lee effect?
Boston Market, restaurant trends, union salters
Boston Market appears to be down to just a couple dozen locations. Is the supermarket the next restaurant bastion? And here’s how to tell if restaurant employees are looking to unionize.
Starbucks, Noodles, Potbelly
Starbucks passes Subway on the list of biggest restaurant chains. Noodles has a new CEO and a new menu strategy. And Potbelly is seeing good results from a revamped loyalty program.
Bojangles marketing, Panera IPO, Florida delivery
Bojangles franchisees are taking their franchisor to court over marketing. Will Panera Bread ever go public? And Florida lawmakers are changing the way restaurants can communicate with delivery customers.
Charter Foods lawsuit, loyalty programs, Ken Pendery
A Taco Bell operator is facing sexual harassment claims. Many restaurants want more from their loyalty programs. And First Watch co-founder Ken Pendery dies at 70.
Starbucks’ board, First Watch earnings, DoorDash-NYC
The activists lobbying for seats on Starbucks board have withdrawn their nominations. First Watch opened a significant number of new stores during its fourth quarter. And DoorDash said New York City’s wage boost for couriers is hurting its sales.
California wages, Neon Greens, Whole Foods
The members of California’s Fast Food Council have been named. Whole Foods has a scaled-down new store design. And a look at a salad concept that grows all of its lettuce on site.
Sweetgreen, Starbucks, Papa Johns
Sweetgreen is going all in on its digital kitchens. Starbucks received some key endorsements in its board fight with a union-backed group. And expect to see a lot more from Papa Johns.
Papa Johns, Red Robin, Subway
Delivery apps are beating Papa Johns at its own game. Red Robin wants you to know about its free refills. And Subway pressures franchisees on remodels.
Wendy’s dynamic pricing, Panera Bread, Applebee’s and IHOP
Wendy’s isn’t testing dynamic pricing after all. Panera Bread is revamping its menu. And Applebee’s and IHOP could soon co-brand in the U.S.
Wendy’s-dynamic pricing, Golden Corral data breach, Cava
Wendy’s recent mention of a surge-pricing test is going viral. A buffet chain is in the midst of a data breach. And Cava had an impressive first year as a public company.
Domino’s Pizza, Smashed Jack burgers, Wonder-Walmart
Emergency pizza has been a hit for Domino’s. Here’s the inside scoop on the latest Jack in the Box burger. And Walmart has a new delivery-focused food hall.
Bloomin’ Brands closures, Starbucks labor, restaurant success
Bloomin’ Brands is doing some pruning of its older restaurants. Starbucks’ board is getting some attention from labor activists. And reports of the restaurant industry’s demise are, apparently, greatly exaggerated.
Jack in the Box, Cheesecake Factory, Burgerim
Jack in the Box is cooking up a bigger burger. No news is good news at The Cheesecake Factory. And an update on the federal case against the founder of Burgerim.
Wingstop, CosMc’s, energy drinks
Wingstop is seeing double-digit same-store sales growth, but investors aren’t impressed. Some McDonald’s franchisees want to get in on the CosMc’s action. And yet another QSR is putting energy drinks on the menu.
Focus re-Brands, Andy Wiederhorn, Starbucks
Focus Brands is rebranding. Andy Wiederhorn is facing charges from the SEC. And a record number of Starbucks stores filed to form unions.
Toast, BJ’s-weather, Texas Roadhouse
Another restaurant tech supplier is in the midst of a major restructuring. Bad weather had a bad effect on the earnings of at least one casual-dining chain. And Texas Roadhouse appears to be grabbing customers from some of its competitors.
Inspire IPO, Wendy’s, 7 Brew
Inspire Brands is reportedly considering an IPO. Wendy’s is planning big investments in digital and marketing. And 7 Brew coffee has a high-profile new investor.
McDonald’s franchisees, restaurant labor, David Bouley
McDonald’s franchisees are lobbying for the return of a popular snack item. A look inside the current state of restaurant labor. An
Menu prices, BJ’s activist, Burger King
Restaurant prices keep rising. BJs Restaurants is facing pressure from an activist investor. And Burger King franchisees are having a big year.
Taco Bell’s innovations, Boston Market, Tacos 1986
Taco Bell just divulged its marketing plan for the year. Boston Market’s owner is filing for bankruptcy yet again. And there’s an emerging taco chain that’s worth watching.
Flynn Group for sale, fast-food union, California wage hike
The world’s largest restaurant franchisee might be for sale. California fast-food workers get a union ahead of a big wage hike. And a look at how restaurants in the state plan to handle that 25% raise.
TikTok, Yum Brands, Whataburger
TikTok is wielding an influence on restaurant menus. Yum Brands is making a major growth push. And Whataburger is popping up in some unexpected locations.
Chipotle, Taco Bell, Valentine’s Day
Chipotle bucks industry traffic trends with a monster quarter. Taco Bell is winning with lower-income guests. And some restaurants are embracing the darker side of Valentine’s Day.
Fast-food spending, McDonald’s eggs, KFC rewards
Diners appear to be cutting back on fast-food spending. McDonald’s has reached a big sustainability goal. And KFC has a new rewards program.
McDonald’s vs. grocers, Burger King, Reddit
Grocery stores are hurting McDonald’s sales. Burger King is letting customers create its next burger. And find out which brand dominated the conversation on Reddit last year.
AI, Martha Stewart, restaurant jobs
Restaurants are going all in on AI. The original lifestyle influencer will be the keynote speaker at RLC this spring. And restaurants didn’t add any jobs last month, though consumer confidence continues to grow. Welcome to RB Daily, a quick look at the industry’s top stories from the editors of Restaurant Business. I’m Heather Lalley, RB managing editor.
Footlong cookies, Sweet Tomatoes, Starbucks
Footlong cookies and other treats are helping sales at Subway. The shuttered Sweet Tomatoes concept is making a comeback. And news tidbits from Starbucks recent earnings.
Starbucks, Chili’s, Savory Fund
Starbucks is having some traffic troubles. Chili’s customers are tightening their belts. And the Savory Fund is now the private-equity owner of better-for-you concept.
Boston Market, Olo, McDonald’s new burgers
Boston Market will have to pay US Foods $12 million. Olo agreed to settle a shareholder lawsuit. And McDonald’s revamped burgers are going national.
Domino’s Pizza, Sushi Ginza Onodera, food costs
Domino’s Pizza is apparently the latest chain to experience backlash over violence in the Middle East. A little-known sushi chain has plans to go public. And, are food costs actually, finally, going down?
Bagger Dave’s, Tony Luke’s Cheesesteak, electric vehicles
Is this the end of the Bagger Dave’s chain? Two members of the family behind a cheesesteak concept are in hot water with the feds. And restaurants appear to be missing that boost that could come from EV charging stations
Subway, Starbucks, Jersey Mike’s
Digital coupons are causing headaches for some California Subway franchisees. Starbucks’ sales appeared to have slowed late last year. And Jersey Mike’s is getting a high-tech assist with answering its phones.
Potbelly, Dave & Buster’s, Chipotle
Potbelly’s franchise acceleration efforts are working. Dave & Buster’s is sporting a new prototype. And Chipotle is boosting its benefits again.
Lunch, Burger King and ezCater
People eating less lunch at fast-food restaurants. Burger King is suddenly a big restaurant operator. And ezCater is spotlighting underrepresented groups.
Craveworthy-Dirty Dough, In-N-Out Burger, Subway snacks
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, Subway slicers, Pinstripe earnings
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-Caribou, Applebee’s, Craveworthy Brands
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.
Wetzel’s Pretzels, Jersey Mike’s, Jimmy John’s
Inside Wetzel’s Pretzels new franchise program. Jersey Mike’s is heading north. And Jimmy John’s is going global.