Restaurant Daily
Your quick morning dose of the restaurant news you need, every weekday, from the editors of Restaurant Business and Nation's Restaurant News.
McDonald’s, Dave & Buster’s, food safety
McDonald’s is bringing in new leadership for its now-struggling U.S. market. Dave & Buster’s is also making changes at the top. And another food-safety investigation is underway.
Domino’s, Red Lobster, Popeyes
Domino’s is offering incentives for feedback on its app. Red Lobster’s former owner says Endless Shrimp was not its fault. And Popeyes’ upgraded chicken tenders are back in the spotlight.
Starbucks development, tariff fatigue, Yum’s new strategy
Don’t expect a lot of new Starbucks shops in the U.S. next year. A new round of tariffs is here. And Yum has a new strategy now that Pizza Hut has been offloaded.
Domino’s, Red Lobster, Popeyes
Domino’s is offering incentives for feedback on its app. Red Lobster’s former owner says Endless Shrimp was not its fault. And Popeyes’ upgraded chicken tenders are back in the spotlight.
Chipotle, Taco Bell, Jersey Mike’s
Chipotle registered its strongest same-store sales growth since 2024. Taco Bell was the workhorse yet again for Yum Brands. And Jersey Mike’s is off and running as a public company.
Wingstop, Jersey Mike’s and Church’s Chicken
Q2 was not so great for Wingstop. It’s IPO day for Jersey Mike’s. And Church’s Chicken gets an investment.
Taco Bell, KFC and TGI Fridays
Taco Bell is breaking out the bigger guns to drive traffic. KFC’s best-kept secret could be steak. And TGI Fridays’ bankruptcy comes to a close.
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Cracker Barrel, Domino’s, Gong Cha
Cracker Barrel has a new CEO. Domino’s is doing another discount. And Gong Cha is going big in Texas.
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Noodles & Company, Popeyes and Wendy’s
Noodles had a pretty fabulous second quarter. The Popeyes franchisee Sailormen finds a new buyer for some units. And consumers sure loved Wendy’s Frosty totes and other merch.
Taco Bell, Chick-fil-A, Salad and Go
Taco Bell is trying to lure back customers. Chick-fil-A is testing a spicy version of its Chick-n-Strips. And Salad and Go has reworked its menu.
Ron Shaich, Chili’s and Domino’s
Ron Shaich invests more in eatertainment. Chili’s gets a new look. And Domino’s is adjusting its marketing calendar.
True Food Kitchen CEO, Cracker Barrel Comeback, Popeyes chicken tenders
Former longtime Hopdoddy CEO Jeff Chandler has a new gig. Cracker Barrel’s comeback is picking up steam. And Popeyes really wants consumers to try its new chicken tenders.
Domino’s, Maple Street Biscuit Company and Jersey Mike’s
Domino’s exceeded Wall Street’s expectations. Maple Street Biscuit Company has a new owner. And Jersey Mike’s IPO is off and running.
Topgolf, Wonder, Bouchon
Topgolf is turning its venues into an advertising channel. Wonder is coming for fast food. A sexual harassment suit involving the restaurant Bouchon in Las Vegas is settled.
Chipotle, Wonder and climbing restaurant operating expenses
Chipotle is hydrating for the last World Cup game. Wonder’s valuation is reaching $9 Billion. And operating expenses for restaurants are up. Really up.
Texas Roadhouse, Chick-fil-A, James Beard Awards
Texas Roadhouse is testing delivery. Chick-fil-A is modernizing playgrounds. And the James Beard Awards ceremony may be leaving Chicago.
Taco Bell, Chipotle, Yoshinoya
Taco Bell wants to make it clear the chain has NOT been IDed as a source of cyclospora. Chipotle opens in Mexico for the first time. And Yoshinoya has picked up a ramen chain to grow in the U.S.
Panera, Papa Murphy’s, Olive Garden
Panera is making a big change to its Unlimited Sip Club. Papa Murphy’s is continuing to close restaurants. And Olive Garden is bringing back a much-loved promotion.
Wonder, Taco Bell and Latitude Food Group
Wonder is adding yet another brand to its portfolio. Taco Bell has pulled some ingredients out of concern about cyclospora. And the parent of &pizza and Tijuana Flats has a new CEO.
McDonald’s, Velvet Taco, Chipotle
McDonald’s new prototype is see-through. Velvet Taco is the latest chain to jump into value. And Chipotle is making its appearance in another video game, less than a month after its first.
Chipotle, Mountain Mike’s and Hot Dog on a Stick
Chipotle’s venture fund has some new investments. A Mountain Mike’s franchisee files bankruptcy. And Hot Dog on a Stick has a new owner.
Marketing, Sweetgreen, Golden Chick
Marketing calendars are more crowded than ever, yet traffic remains down. Sweetgreen launched a salad in collaboration with Alice Waters. And Golden Chick is ready to press the gas on marketing.
Burger King, Jersey Mike’s and tiered menu pricing
Burger King has some new chicken sandwiches. Jersey Mike’s filing to go public has some interesting tidbits. And is tiered menu pricing becoming less effective?
Jersey Mike’s IPO, summer hiring, Vegas dining
Jersey Mike’s is officially going public. It seems there will not be a boost in summer hiring. And let’s get to know the woman largely credited with transforming the Las Vegas restaurant scene.
McDonald’s, Just Salad and the sandwich segment
McDonald’s has a new chief of development. Just Salad scored a slam dunk with a new celebrity investor. And quick-service sandwich chains are losing to fast-casual competitors.
Luckin Coffee, Church’s Texas Chicken, Cotton Patch Cafe
Luckin Coffee is bringing kiosks to its New York locations. Another chain has jumped into catering. And a casual-dining chain has been sold.
KFC, Taco Bell, Einstein Bros.
KFC has a plan for its next chapter of growth. Taco Bell opened its first Cantina in an airport. And Einstein Bros. is hoping to catch the bagel boom.
Red Lobster, Pizzana, Popeyes
A group of Red Lobster’s creditors has filed a lawsuit against Thai Union Group. The eight-unit pizza chain Pizzana is preparing for big growth. And a bankrupt Popeyes franchisee has found buyers for 97 of its 136 locations.
Domino’s, Darden and Starbucks
Domino’s incoming CEO sees the pizza chain as a brand in progress. Business is booming at LongHorn Steakhouse. And Starbucks wants some employees to create TikTok content, and share in the ad revenue.
Wendy’s, hiring, On the Border
Wendy’s is getting the meme treatment. Restaurants are expected to hire fewer workers this summer. And On the Border filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Domino’s, Taco Bell and Starbucks
Domino’s CEO is stepping down. Taco Bell is offering emotional support tacos. And Starbucks is adding new leaders to its coffeeshops.
TGI Fridays, hot chicken in the U.K., Zaxbys
TGI Fridays made a new tech move in its ongoing transformation. The U.K. is getting even more hot chicken. And Zaxbys is tapping into a longtime favorite flavor profile.
Twin Peaks, McDonald’s and NFL Sunday Ticket
Twin Peaks is out of bankruptcy. The history of McDonald’s fried apple pie. And the controversy about EverPass and the NFL Sunday Ticket .
Panera, gas prices, Pura Vida
Panera has rolled out a big menu upgrade. Higher gas prices have begun to take their toll on fast food traffic. And Pura Vida Miami is building infrastructure for expansion.
Pizza Hut, Dave & Buster’s and Jersey Mike’s
Pizza Hut will have a new owner. Dave & Buster’s latest quarter missed the mark. And Chick-fil-A has been dethroned as the longtime leader in customer satisfaction.
KFC, On the Border, Domino’s
KFC has given us a glimpse of what’s next for the brand. On the Border closed most of its restaurants over the weekend. And Domino’s has added a premium crust to its Best Deal Ever lineup.
James Beard Awards, loyalty in California, Chipotle
The James Beard Awards are here. A California bill could impact loyalty programs. And Chipotle is rolling out the red carpet, or at least sauce, for Father’s Day.
Starbucks, Wingstop, swipe fees
Smaller cafes may be the secret to Starbucks’ future growth. Wingstop is bringing back its Boneless Meal Deal. And restaurants are not impressed with a swipe-fee settlement.
Cracker Barrel, pizza market share, Habit Burger wraps
Customers are coming back to Cracker Barrel faster than expected. Pizza Hut may be losing share to a surprising competitor. And The Habit Burger & Grill is jumping into the competitive wraps category.
KFC, Freddy’s and screwworms
KFC is testing a new concept.Screwworms could screw with beef prices. And Freddy’s is doing bowls.
