Starbucks investing $1B in employees, customer experience

May 3, 2022

Starbucks Corporation is investing $1 billion to increase pay for workers, modernize training and collaboration and elevate the customer experience.

US Starbucks earnings holding steady, international sales drop

May 3, 2022

Starbucks reported Tuesday that its U.S. same-store sales were up 12%, which beat Wall Street expectations of nearly 9%, but revenue and earnings per share…

WOWorks welcomes back chief people officer

May 3, 2022

WOWorks, which owns Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and The Simple Greek, has hired Jean Boland as chief people and culture officer, a…

Dog Haus expanding Maryland footprint

May 3, 2022

Pasadena, California-based Dog Haus has executed an area development agreement with existing franchisees Faizan and Adila Khan to open 15 locations over the…

Main Squeeze expanding to Houston

May 3, 2022

New Orleans-based Main Squeeze Juice Co. is opening its first location within the city limits of Houston. Owned and operated by husband-and-wife duo Jeff Drost…

How Flame Broiler created a culture 'rooted in purpose'

Christian Lee, head of Operations at Flame Broiler, a rice bowl concept with locations in California, Arizona, Nevada, Florida, Oklahoma and Texas, discusses…

Brooklyn Dumpling Shop to open automat store in Queens

May 3, 2022

Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, a quick serve dumpling franchise that uses an Automat concept, is coming to Queens, New York after franchisees Jose Marrero and…

Big Chicken antes up in Vegas

May 2, 2022

Big Chicken, founded by Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, has signed a franchise agreement with restaurateur Vincent Alba to open eight locations in the Las…

El Pollo Loco signs Denver-area deal

May 2, 2022

El Pollo Loco Inc. has inked a multi-unit franchise agreement with Pikes Pollo Inc. to develop four restaurants in Denver's west side. The franchise group…

Cousins Maine Lobster hits 2022 growth spurt

May 2, 2022

Cousins Maine Lobster, which has 36 food trucks and seven brick-and-mortar locations, signed four franchise agreements in the first quarter of 2022. Recent…

NRA lobbies lawmakers on industry priorities for pending legislation

May 2, 2022

The National Restaurant Association is asking congressional leaders to ensure the restaurant industry is being considered as lawmakers continue crafting bills…

Chipotle testing Garlic Guajillo steak

May 2, 2022

Chipotle is testing Garlic Guajillo Steak at 102 locations in Denver, Indianapolis, and Orange County, California, for a limited-time and is also offering no…

Sweetgreen taps Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker as brand ambassador

May 2, 2022

Sweetgreen has tapped Devin Booker, a shooting guard for the Phoenix Suns, as brand ambassador.

Panera hires chief legal officer

May 2, 2022

Panera Bread has hired Marlene M. Gordon as SVP and chief legal officer. With over 20 years of industry experience, Gordon joins Panera from Fresh Del Monte…

Chicken Salad Chick expanding North Carolina presence

May 2, 2022

Chicken Salad Chick is opening its ninth location next week in North Carolina.

The Habit opening drive-thru in Washington

April 29, 2022

The Habit Burger Grill, a California-based restaurant brand owned by YUM Brands, is opening a drive-thru location Tuesday in Sammamish, Washington, at 62…

Detroit Wing Company doubling footprint

April 29, 2022

Detroit Wing Company, which has nearly 20 locations in Michigan, has opened a store at 1831 Gratiot Ave., in Roseville, Michigan. Operated by first-time DWC…

Cafe Rio Mexican Grill expanding digital stores

April 29, 2022

Cafe Rio Mexican Grill has opened a location in Buckeye, Arizona, which offers curb-side delivery, in-store pickup, drive-thru and a digital kiosk experience.

55-year-old fast casual concept launching container model

April 29, 2022

Beef-A-Roo, a 55-year-old brand based in Rockford, Illinois, is franchising for the first time in its history, thanks to NEXT Brands and Development acquiring…

Using technology to pump up online ordering on Cinco de Mayo

by Graham Campbell

With some customers still uncomfortable eating out, restaurant owners need to have the capabilities to manage an influx of online orders for carryout, curbside…