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

Amid activist pressure, Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group said it has “commenced a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives.” This review will consider a full range of options, the company said, including a possible sale of DFRG or any of its dining concepts. There’s no guarantee a deal will take place, however. “The board believes that conducting… read more

The behavior of a third-party delivery user typically plays out as follows: Sort by proximity, or sort by cuisine. Where does that leave a restaurant that doesn’t box its food into a single category? This was a question Famous Dave’s chief operating officer Geovannie Concepcion found himself asking. “One of the classic marketing riddles we’ve… read more

Barry McGowan, the president of Dallas-based churrascaria chain Fogo de Chão, will take on the added role of CEO at the end of the year, when Larry Johnson retires from that position after holding it for 11 years, the company said. Johnson, who led the chain’s 2015 initial public offering and also took it private… read more