Papa John’s International Inc., the world’s third-largest pizza delivery company, has reached out to potential acquirers to ask them to submit offers, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. Papa John’s has come under pressure by founder John Schnatter, who owns about 30 percent of the company. He resigned as chairman in July following… read more

Beth Comstock, American business executive and current Vice Chair of General Electric, once said: “Marketing’s job is never done. It’s about perpetual motion. We must continue to innovate every day.” Getting a leg-up as a cash-strapped small business owner may seem nearly impossible. Each year brings new social and technological trends to our society, and small… read more

With competition fierce, every restaurant is looking for ways to inspire loyalty from its customers. Lawry’s the Prime Rib—Chicago decided to start at the beginning. The company created the Junior Carver Program, a loyalty program that focuses on children. Lawry’s, which has 12 locations, eight of which are international, was founded in 1938 in Beverly Hills… read more

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. has been relatively quiet lately on the marketing front as it deals with the fallout of a food-safety crisis. Now, it’s turning the page. The fast-casual restaurant chain is launching its biggest ad campaign ever in terms of spending within a quarter, as it looks to rehabilitate its image and turn it… read more

If customers aren’t on a first name basis with Dunkin’ Donuts by now, the Canton, Mass-company hopes they will be soon. “It’s time we take our relationship with our consumers to the next level,” said the company’s chief marketing officer Tony Weisman on a call discussing the plan to formally rebrand as Dunkin’. Dunkin’, which… read more

Crate & Barrel has long sold items to help shoppers prepare and serve meals at home, from dinnerware and drinkware to cutlery and kitchen tools. But for those who’d rather take a night off from home cooking, next spring its Oakbrook Center store will get a full-service restaurant. The restaurant is a partnership between the Northbrook-based home… read more

As part of its new “Starbucks Greener Stores” initiative, the coffee retailer plans to have 10,000 environmentally friendly stores worldwide by 2025. Among the goals of the program, announced Thursday, is for the company to generate enough energy by solar and wind power to offset all the electricity needed to run the chain’s stores in U.S…. read more

Emboldened by the MeToo movement, McDonald’s workers have voted to stage a one-day strike next week at restaurants in 10 cities in hopes of pressuring management to take stronger steps against on-the-job sexual harassment. Organizers say it will be the first multistate strike in the U.S. specifically targeting sexual harassment. Plans for the walkout —… read more

Taco Bueno Restaurants L.P. is closing 16 locations across four states, reducing its total unit count to 172, the quick-service Tex-Mex brand said. The Farmers Branch, Texas-based company said 10 of the closures, effective Monday, were in the North Texas, three were in Okla., two in Mo. and one in Kan. “We continually review our… read more

The workforce is getting grayer, and it appears that business practices have yet to catch up to the trend. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that workers 55 years and older are the fastest growing segment of the working population. Pair that with the fact that less than 6% of companies have a specific plan… read more