By Michelle Gielan – Fast Company Positive psychology researcher Michelle Gielan has studied optimism and success for more than a decade, and she has found that those with an optimistic outlook are better equipped to deal with stress. There are nights I’m sure I’m asleep before my head hits the pillow. As a working mother,… read more
To Our Valued Subscribers: Here it is one week prior to the real beginning of summer and things are already hot here in the Windy City. Immediately following “The Show” Illinois passed a recreational pot use law and an expanded gaming law. Coincidence?? So, next year you can really relax and leave more of your… read more
Now through Aug. 7, Maggiano’s Little Italy is hosting its 16th annual Eat-A-Dish for Make-A-Wish campaign. Guests are invited to help the restaurant reach its goal of raising $1,000,000 to grant transformative wishes for children battling critical illnesses. Guests can help grant wishes in one (or more) of the following ways: Enjoy a chef-featured item through August 7: Guests can… read more
(Bloomberg) — Large restaurant chains Red Robin and White Castle are reporting shortages of Impossible Foods Inc.’s popular meat-free patties, even as the plant-based food producer embarks on a nationwide expansion with Burger King. Calls to a dozen Red Robins and the same number of White Castles on Thursday found that only two locations of… read more
In preparation for a new expansion effort, Roy Rogers rolled out a fresh store design at a Westminster, Maryland, restaurant. Jeremy Biser, the legacy chain’s EVP, said the update was part of a broader plan to strengthen performance at existing locations. “We’re looking at all aspects of our operations to make our brand more relevant… read more
San Antonio, Texas-based burger chain Whataburger Inc. has agreed to sell a majority interest to Chicago-based merchant bank BDT Capital Partners. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Whataburger’s founders, the Dobson family, will retain a minority interest in the company, and the company’s headquarters will remain in San Antonio. Whataburger’s president and CEO Preston… read more
While at one point in time, food packaging’s sole purpose may have been to contain product to keep it safe and fresh, as well as allow for distribution and merchandising, its role has become so much more. And it continues to evolve. That was the foundation of the Global Midwest Alliance’s May 29 seminar, “Fresher,… read more
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz says he’s taking a “detour” from a possible independent presidential bid. The billionaire businessman cited health concerns in a message to supporters, and says he’s taking the summer to rest and will revisit his presidential ambitions after Labor Day. Two aides who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share… read more
FFL Partners is exploring options, including a sale, for fast-food chain Church’s Chicken, according to people familiar with the matter. The San Francisco-based firm is working with an adviser to drum up interest from potential buyers for the chain. It’s seeking around $350 million or more in any transaction, said the people. Representative for FFL… read more
Activist investor Vintage Capital, which holds 1.5 million shares or about 12 percent of Red Robin’s stock, has offered to buy the remaining 88 percent of the struggling burger chain. Vintage proposed an all-cash transaction worth $461.4 million. In a letter to Red Robin, Vintage called on the brand to begin auctioning off the company. Vintage offered… read more