There’s a popular saying in Japan, “toriaezu nama,” or “let’s start with a draft beer.” People often say this when arriving at an izakaya, a Japanese-style pub. First comes beer. Then comes food. Across Asia, there is a strong connection between beer and food, and a growing number of Asian-cuisine restaurants in the U.S. highlight… read more

In Datassential’s Creative Concepts we explore how cruise lines and airlines are adapting to meet consumers’ evolving needs. Half of Americans flew in 2017, according to Airline for America, and in 2018 roughly 26 million passengers were carried on cruise ships worldwide, according to Cruise Market Wath. Even if airlines and cruise lines aren’t your… read more

Less than a year after taking over as CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Brian Niccol has helped reshape the once beleaguered burrito chain, improving sales and fueling the company’s best stock performance in five years. Niccol told investors at the ICR Conference in Orlando that he hopes he’s making the brand more visible and reminding… read more

It seems ages ago, but it was really only eight years back when Denny’s became “America’s Diner.” The gist of the new campaign wasn’t to pivot or reposition one of the country’s largest sit-down chains. Rather, Denny’s wanted to make sure it promoted and stressed what it stood for already: A brand firmly rooted in family… read more

Andrew Cherng started working in the United States at 18, while he pursued an undergraduate degree in mathematics at Baker University, in Kansas. Starting in 1967, he began spending his summers in New York City, working in a restaurant where his father had connections. It was his first real job. The work was fast-paced, his… read more

After barely a year in business, Luckin Coffee is challenging Starbucks in one of the US coffee giant’s top markets. About 2,000 Luckin outlets have sprung up across China over the last year. That includes a store in Beijing’s Forbidden City, the historic cultural site from which Starbucks was famously evicted more than a decade ago…. read more

Steve Schussler has resigned as co-CEO at Kona Grill Inc., the grill and sushi bar concept, and co-CEO Marcus Jundt has taken over full leadership responsibilities as CEO, the company said. Schussler and Jundt, both board members at the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based casual-dining brand, took over as co-CEOs in early November. Schussler also is leaving the board,… read more

Panera Bread, a subsidiary of JAB Holding Co., is adding two industry veterans to its senior management team. Karen Kelley has joined the company as senior vice-president and chief restaurant operations officer, and Anita Vanderveer has been named chief people officer. Ms. Kelley was most recently president of Tatte Bakery & Café and before that… read more

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Inc. has agreed to a purchase by investment firms TriArtisan Capital Partners Inc. and Paulson & Co. Inc., according a notice sent to investors and reported by Bloomberg News. The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based casual-dining chain has been owned by New York-based private-equity firm Centerbridge Partners L.P. since 2012, when it took P.F…. read more

Subway has named Roger Mader, a private sector marketing consultant, as the company’s acting chief marketing officer. Mader, who began this month, is replacing Joe Tripodi who retired in December. Mader is co-founder and managing partner of strategic marketing agency Ampersand, based in Long Island, New York.   The Milford, Conn.-based sandwich chain said Mader will… read more