The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® company, one of the world’s leading roasters and retailers of specialty coffee and tea, announced today the addition of three new senior executives who will help scale the company, expand its omnichannel marketing presence and introduce the brand to consumers in both existing and new markets. The company has… read more
The Restaurant Worker of the Future — and even now — is a digitally savvy individual with great people skills, says Tracy Skeans, chief operating officer and chief people officer for restaurant giant Yum Brands Inc. Skeans, who took on the additional operations role in January at the Louisville, Ky.-based parent to Habit Burger Grill,… read more
When the pandemic wiped out dine-in business early in 2020, Chick-fil-A didn’t require any big evolution with its service model, as it already relied heavily on drive-thru. But the company still invested in protecting its industry-best hospitality and creating a smooth drive-thru experience using technology. Khalilah Cooper, the brand’s senior director of service and hospitality,… read more
Chipotle Mexican Grill, which has been an innovator in its use of TikTok for several years, announced Thursday it’s turning to the video-sharing platform to find an influencer to work with the chain on its digital strategy. With the launch of the inaugural Chipotle Creator Class, which includes viral stars and digital creators such as… read more
– by Ainsley Lawrence Ainsley Lawrence is a freelance writer with an interest in the way business, technology, and education intersect with the personal. She loves traveling to beautiful places and is frequently lost in a good book. All companies want great employees. Without them, a business isn’t likely to achieve its productivity,… read more
Restaurants are collaborating with CPG manufacturers to create co-branded menu items . . . . New Menu Items from Pizza Hut, Krispy Kreme, Taco Bell Pizza Hut partnered with Beyond Meat, Inc. to debut the Beyond Pepperoni Pizza, featuring a plant-based version of the popular pizza topping that marks a first for both brands. Co-developed… read more
How this Nonprofit is Raising Funds for Children of Restaurant Workers in Need . . . . How this Nonprofit is Raising Funds for Children of Restaurant Workers in Need Sheila Bennett is the executive director of CORE (Children of Restaurant Employees), a nonprofit organization dedicated to financially helping the families of restaurant workers that… read more
“I want to fall in love again.” That’s what John Dikos, who was named president of Killer Burger in early August, told Nation’s Restaurant News. Dikos was ready to find a new founder-led concept to fall in love with after moving on from MOD Pizza. Enter Portland, Ore.-based Killer Burger and its founder, TJ Southard…. read more
Dave’s Hot Chicken, a popular spicy chicken eatery based in California, has announced a huge expansion into New Jersey. The company said it will open 14 restaurants throughout Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, and Union counties. The exact locations and opening dates have yet to be announced. “The New Jersey-New York (area) is very important to… read more
Armed with evidence the restaurant business is hurtling into another crisis, the industry’s political forces are amping up pressure on Congress to restart the federal aid program that channeled billions of dollars to small operators before running out of funds. In a letter to Congressional leadership, the National Restaurant Association and its state affiliates implored… read more