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.

Olive Garden, Uber-drones, Iron Hill Brewery

Olive Garden is seeing whether diners enjoy smaller portions. Uber is testing drone delivery. And Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant is shrinking.

09-19
04:49

US Foods/Performance Food Group, Salad and Go, Pizza Hut Crafted Flatzz

A potential merger would form the nation's largest broadline food distributor. A drive-thru chain is closing more than 40 locations. And a value item at Pizza Hut has evolved into a platform for innovation.

09-18
04:22

Denny’s activist, McDonald’s global impact, FSTEC wrapup

There’s activist investor interest in Denny’s. McDonald’s is adding more muscle to its global impact team. And here are some of the big takeaways from the FSTEC technology conference.

09-17
04:30

McDonald’s regenerative agriculture, Popeyes-Hot Ones, IHOP value

McDonald’s is investing in regenerative agriculture. Popeyes is turning up the heat with a new partnership. And IHOP is doubling down on value.

09-16
03:32

Black Rock IPO, Portillo’s, delivery speed

There’s a new publicly traded restaurant chain for the first time in three years. Can Portillo’s get its groove back? And speed wins, when it comes to delivery.

09-15
04:42

Value wars, Gen Z, menu price inflation

The value wars are being fought on third-party delivery apps, restaurant chains might want to focus marketing on younger consumers, and menu pricing at full-service restaurants ticked up to its highest level in two years.

09-11
05:07

Potbelly sold, Portillo’s ends breakfast, Outback appetizer trio

Potbelly was sold to a big name in the convenience store sector. Portillo’s has ended its test of breakfast, and Outback is hopping on the appetizer trio trend.

09-11
06:26

Cracker Barrel, Pinstripes bankruptcy, Yum Brands C-suite

Cracker Barrel is walking back even more of its planned brand revamp. A food-and-games chain has filed for bankruptcy protection. And Taco Bell’s parent company is shaking up its leadership ranks.

09-10
04:29

Freddy’s global, Red Lobster shrimp, Waffle House delivery

Freddy’s is going global. Red Lobster is poking fun at its own bankruptcy. And Waffle House is jumping fully into delivery.

09-09
04:25

Freddy’s new owner, McDonald’s-tip credit, jobs report

Freddy’s officially has a new owner. McDonald’s is pushing back on the tip credit. And it was a very slow jobs report for August.

09-08
05:24

Possible Noodles & Company sale, Raising Cane’s London, CAVA chicken shawarma

Noodles & Company is pondering a sale that would likely take the fast-casual chain private. Raising Cane’s is bringing chicken fingers to London. And CAVA is bringing Chicken Shawarma to its system for a limited time.

09-05
05:22

Starbucks-AI, Fat Brands, Abuelo’s

Starbucks has a new AI assistant for inventory tracking. Andy Wiederhorn is back at the helm of Fat Brands. And a casual-dining Mexican chain declared bankruptcy.

09-04
06:11

Starbucks PSL, Black Rock IPO, Smokey Bones closures

It was a big Pumpkin Spice Latte debut for Starbucks. Black Rock Coffee is looking for a big IPO. And one BBQ chain continues to close stores

09-03
05:57

Restaurant profitability, White Castle, Logan’s Roadhouse

Restaurant profitability has worsened since before the pandemic.  White Castle is defending its turf as a longtime leader in late-night. And one market-research firm has Logan’s Roadhouse as the top casual-dining chain for customer experience.

09-02
03:53

Taco Bell marketing, Crunchwrap riffs, Texas

Taco Bell continues to win with marketing. The Crunchwrap is the latest source of menu innovation. And a new law in Texas will make it easier on restaurant operators there.

08-29
04:26

Cracker Barrel logo, mental health, Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce marketing

Cracker Barrel is scrapping its new logo. A Bloomin’ Brands director is taking the lead on addressing mental health in the industry. And restaurant brands are ready to celebrate the engagement of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.

08-28
05:16

Trump-Cracker Barrel, Chili’s success, Smoothie King food

Donald Trump is weighing in on Cracker Barrel’s new logo. Chili’s shook up the casual-dining curve last quarter. And one smoothie chain is adding food for the first time.

08-27
05:28

Chipotle protein, Starbucks pumpkin spice, casual-dining comeback

\Concerned guests can now scoop their own Chipotle protein. Pumpkin Spice is back at Starbucks. And there’s an underrated element to casual-dining’s comeback.

08-26
04:23

Chili’s bonuses, McDonald’s discount bundles, drinking decline

Chili’s corporate workers are getting some big bonuses after a big year. What will McDonald’s freshly discounted bundles mean for the bottom line? And diners aren’t drinking like they used to.

08-25
04:23

Cracker Barrel, car crashes and Zipotle.

Cracker Barrel has drawn the ire of conservatives, a lot of cars are adding their own drive-thrus to restaurants and here comes Zipotle.

08-22
05:53

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