RB Daily

Starbucks is making a big change to its app. An Alamo Drafthouse operator goes under. And viral food trends are turning into actual menu items.

Another restaurant chain has declared bankruptcy. US operators appear to be struggling in China. And Burger King is expanding its flame-grilled offerings.

Technomic’s Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report is out. Social media is a blessing and a curse for restaurant chains. And Condado Tacos has a new CEO.

Rubio’s Coastal Grill is closing nearly 50 locations. Red Lobster could close more than 100 more of its restaurants. And Portillo’s will now be open earlier.

The fast-food industry is changing. RB’s Top 500 ranking of the biggest chains is out. And BurgerFi is weighing its options.

McDonald’s less-frequent guests are at the heart of its value perception problem. Cracker Barrel is pumping the brakes on Maple Street Biscuit Co. And Red Robin’s turnaround campaign is beginning to bear fruit.

McDonald’s is going on the defensive over menu prices. There’s good news for folks who work up an appetite while online shopping. And Subway is setting a financial record.

Fast food is now a luxury for most Americans. A new protein is coming to Cava. And KFC’s new menu item was cooked up with Gen Z in mind.

There’s apparently an epidemic of restaurant industry misinformation. There’s a new Minnesota law regulating restaurant pricing standards. And a documentary filmmaker who was influential in fast food has died.

Red Lobster says it has a plan to improve its operations. Sysco says consumers, particularly fast-food ones, are struggling. And Fuzzy’s Taco Shop says it’s opening a bunch of new restaurants.

What role did private equity play in Red Lobster’s bankruptcy? A bunch of KFC locations get a new owner. And a look at some of the biggest tech trends to emerge from the National Restaurant Association Show.

Where did Red Lobster get the shrimp for its endless shrimp promotion? Beverages are hot right now. And IHOP is getting an assist from AI.

Red Lobster, as expected, has declared bankruptcy. Dynamic pricing has been a hot topic at the restaurant show. And Greg Flynn is expanding his restaurant empire.

Cannabis beverages, protecting margins and AI have been some of the top themes at the National Restaurant Show. Cracker Barrel is doing a $700 million makeover. And Buffalo Wild Wings is tempting fate with its latest promotion.

Restaurants may be losing business to Walmart. McDonald’s new dessert was inspired by grandmas. And has Chipotle changed its portion sizes?

Red Lobster is said to be filing for bankruptcy protection very soon. Expect to be able to order a $5 McDonald’s value meal next month. And restaurant inflation continues to outpace grocery stores.

Red Lobster closes dozens of locations. Twin Peaks is preparing to go public. And Pizza Hut puts its spin on a cheeseburger.

A prominent McDonald’s franchisee is suing the chain. A revered New England chef has died. And technology will be a key focus of this year’s National Restaurant Association Show, which kicks off this weekend.

Fat Brands’ Chairman Andy Wiederhorn is in trouble with the SEC. McDonald’s is planning a new $5 value meal. And why Sweetgreen’s stock is skyrocketing.

McDonald’s is readying a big investment in digital marketing. Red Lobster, meanwhile, is getting closer to being sold. And sales have been slow at Papa Johns, despite a marketing boost.

Dutch Bros gets a sales boost from boba. A cookie concept raises some money. And can $1 margaritas save Applebee’s?

Bloomin’ Brands’ CEO is retiring. Did social media pressure hurt Starbucks’ sales? And Panera Bread is axing a controversial menu item.

Howard Schultz weighs in on Starbucks’ tough quarter. Burgerville gets some growth-minded new investors. And Pizza Hut has a new president in the U.S. Welcome to RB Daily, a quick look at the industry’s top stories from the editors of Restaurant Business. I’m Joe Guszkowski, senior editor at RB.

The president has vetoed a bill that would end the NLRB’s expanded joint employer effort. Clean Juice is struggling as it prepares to be sold. And Texas Roadhouse is bucking casual-dining trends with a very successful first quarter.

Wendy’s profits are improving. Bad weather hurt Shake Shack last quarter. And the owner of Panda Express was hit with a cyberattack.

Traffic is way down at Starbucks and KFC. But business is booming at Wingstop. Plus, Denny’s sees opportunity in an unexpected menu addition.

McDonald’s has lost ground on value, but it plans to change that. Roark Capital officially owns Subway. And Burger King is doing more remodels

Chili’s is lobbing another grenade at fast-food chains. Subway continues to shrink. And Domino’s had a big first quarter.

Clean Juice is sold. Full-service shows some signs of life. And Restaurant Business wins some awards.

Chipotle stays red hot. Another chain declares bankruptcy. And Domino’s will pay you to tip your delivery driver.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is reportedly getting a new owner. Cava is ready for its Midwest expansion. And a once buzzed-about restaurant concept that went bankrupt is ready for its second act.

Restaurants are losing traffic to retailers. A growing retail-restaurant hybrid suddenly closes its doors. And if you’re like me and think Crumbl’s cookies are too damn big, you’re in luck.

There appears to be some movement in the case of Starbucks and its employees’ union. Tijuana Flats is filing for bankruptcy and closing many restaurants. And mega-franchisee Greg Flynn is deepening his relationship with Applebee’s

Chipotle and Panera are no longer neck and neck. Inside TGI Fridays’ potential merger with its UK franchisee. And what will a move to national marketing do for Papa Johns?

Red Lobster is falling behind on its bills. The Oberweis ice cream chain files for bankruptcy. And Starbucks makes a change to its cups.

Chain restaurants are growing – but that growth might not be coming from the most-desireable sources. Is Jersey Mike’s on the market? And TGI Friday’s largest franchisee has plans to buy the company.

Restaurant Leadership Conference is off and running with a pair of industry leaders winning some hardware. Full-service restaurants commiserated on challenges for the sector. And Momofuku backs down on its chili-crunch offensive

Fast-food traffic suffered in Q1. A look at what makes a great loyalty program. And drum roll please: Restaurant Business revealed the winners of two annual industry awards.

There’s a surprising development in joint employer regulations. Crumbl cookie’s sales appear to be crumbling a bit. And Buffalo Wild Wings is quietly growing its spinoff concept. Welcome to RB Daily, a quick look at the industry’s top stories from the editors of Restaurant Business. I’m Heather Lalley, RB’s managing editor

Menu price inflation is starting to slow down. Papa Johns has a deal for more locations. And I Heart Mac and Cheese is in hot water once again.

One fast-casual pizza chain has shuttered more than two dozen locations. There’s lots of activity in tech provider funding. A controversial Florida bill that could change restaurant operations there awaits the governor’s signature.

Restaurants both large and small are rolling out new menus with one thing in common: Value. Also, Panera Bread’s tech outage appears to have been a cyberattack, and Shake Shack pokes some fun at Chick-fil-A.

Reports indicate that Jersey Mike’s may be for sale. Business at Chick-fil-A is booming. And a new chicken battle is brewing.

Avian flu hits the nation’s biggest egg supplier. McDonald’s is buying out its franchisee in Israel. And the CEO is out at a big QSR chain.

McDonald’s CEO got a pay boost. How has Red Lobster unraveled in recent years? And Dave & Buster’s is ready to focus on the food part of its food and games offering.

Seven members of Jose Andres’ aid group are killed in Gaza. A big Wendy’s franchisee buys more Wendy’s. And BurgerFi is having some financial problems.

Wall Street is smiling at fast-casual concepts. A fast-growing drinks chain is looking for a new leader. And Dave & Buster’s is heading overseas.

What ever happened to Punch Bowl Social? A mac and cheese franchise is hit with a fine in California. And a look at Gen Z’s restaurant tech preferences.

Bob Evans is apparently for sale. McDonald’s price increases are not created equally. And what CEO Denise Nelsen plans to do at Smashburger.