RB Daily

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.

California operators are still optimistic about the future. That at least is based on a panel at the Restaurant Leadership Conference on Wednesday. Struggling seafood chain Red Lobster is considering filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to restructure its debt. And Martha Stewart on her first restaurant, The Bedford by Martha Stewart.

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.

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 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 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.

Restaurant sales are slowing. Red Lobster has a new CEO. And how Shake Shack lured Rob Lynch away from Papa Johns.

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 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 CEO is adding a new title to his job description. Subway is switching soda suppliers. And Wonder lands another nine-figure funding round.

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 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.

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.

Get ready for bigger burgers at McDonald’s (again). Five Iron Golf gets a high-profile endorsement. And Pizza Hut tries the bagel business.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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 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.

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 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 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 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 Brands is rebranding. Andy Wiederhorn is facing charges from the SEC. And a record number of Starbucks stores filed to form unions.

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 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 are lobbying for the return of a popular snack item. A look inside the current state of restaurant labor. An

Restaurant prices keep rising. BJs Restaurants is facing pressure from an activist investor. And Burger King franchisees are having a big year.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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 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 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 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 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?

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

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’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.