Josh Luger and James Marcus had big ambitions to find a restaurant concept and do something “truly special” with it. Rather than start their own business, the two decided to buy an existing concept and expand it. That concept was a hole-in-the-wall taco shop in Tampa, Fla. that didn’t even have a sign on the… read more

Ghost kitchens and virtual brands in a post-pandemic world will favor more flexible, transparent business models from industry veterans like Reef and Nextbite, to newcomers like Oomi and Meal Outpost At the height of the pandemic when dining rooms were closed, the phrase “ghost kitchen” entered the public lexicon and new “hot” delivery-only concepts opened… read more

When it could not find enough drivers to deliver its pizzas earlier this year, Pizza Hut decided to embrace a perceived competitor, third-party delivery companies like DoorDash. The move appears to have worked. The Plano, Tex.-based chain’s U.S. same-store sales rose 1% in the third quarter, parent company Yum Brands announced on Wednesday. That was… read more

As the digital revolution continues to reshape how consumers interact with their favorite brands, restaurants are increasingly finding ways to collect data points that help them drive business from both loyal customers and new ones. Just look at Noodles & Co. The Denver-based fast casual has evolved its digital storefront and rolled out a customer… read more

While working full-time for the chain, Malave completed two years of community college with annual stipends of $5,250 from Chipotle. After that, she enrolled in the company’s free online college program, through which she earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Wilmington University in 2020. “I didn’t have to pay for my education,” said… read more

Panda Express is planning to leverage the rooftops of its restaurants to expand 5G connectivity. The parent to the Rosemead, Calif.-based restaurant chain said last week it has signed a multi-year agreement with Kroo, a 5G provider, to help expand the 5G network. The agreement will allow the restaurants to provide 5G cell service to… read more

A former quality assurance director at Kerry Inc. pleaded guilty Oct. 21 to charges related to the manufacture of Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal linked to a 2018 outbreak of Salmonella poisoning. The director, who oversaw quality assurance for Kerry until September 2018, pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of causing the introduction of adulterated food… read more

Plant-based foods, increased interest in sustainable foods and practices, and the return of popular classics highlight potential new trends in 2023, according to a new report from Whole Foods Market. The report is created by the retailer’s Trends Council of food industry experts. “We’re thrilled to see things like baked goods with upcycled pulp from… read more

McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme Donuts, Inc. are partnering to offer the latter’s donuts at nine locations in Louisville, Ky. Beginning Oct. 26, Charlotte, NC-based Krispy Kreme’s donuts will be delivered to participating McDonald’s locations daily and will be sold individually or in six packs in-restaurant and drive-thru only. Three varieties will be offered: The Original… read more