If, at this stage in the industry’s COVID rebound, there is a dichotomy forming between experiential brands and those rooted in convenience, then “date night” falls squarely into the occasion wishlist of full-service operators. Yet with prices climbing and safety concerns lingering, diners are returning to sit-down concepts with an elevated set of expectations. As… read more
“We’re always looking to give our fans more ways to enjoy the classic menu items they know and love,” McDonald’s said of the addition of the new Big Mac, according to Fox 6. The sandwich will include two tempura chicken patties, pickles, shredded lettuce, and American cheese, a combination the company said was a huge success when… read more
The Legacy Companies Announces the Acquisition of Admiral Craft Equipment Corporation AUG Greenfield World Trade, Inc. d/b/a The Legacy Companies (“Legacy”), a leading consumer products and commercial food service equipment provider, today announced that it has closed upon its acquisition of Admiral Craft Equipment Corp. of Jericho, New York. The terms of the transaction were… read more
Before Denny’s announced its $82.5 million acquisition of Keke’s Breakfast Café, it spoke with nearly a dozen of its own franchisees about the move, and all of them responded with curiosity. “Most said that they would be interested in opening,” CFO Robert Verostek said during the company’s Q2 earnings call. “Not one said, ‘What are… read more
BBQ Holdings has expanded to nine casual and fast-casual restaurants through a series of M&A moves in recent years. The portfolio now includes Famous Dave’s, Village Inn, Granite City, Bakers Square, Real Urban BBQ, Tahoe Joe’s, Barrio Queen, Craft Republic Bar & Grill, and Champps Kitchen + Bar. The company operates more than 200 franchised and 100 corporately owned… read more
Delivery-only operator looks at fewer single-brand units and encounters permitting difficulties, CEO Todd Penegor says on Q2 earnings call A reduction in the number of planned delivery-only Reef Technology units led The Wendy’s Co. to reduce its growth plans through 2025, executives said Wednesday. The Dublin, Ohio-based burger brand, which released earnings for the second… read more
Franchisees are aware of opportunities in a volatile environment, executives say Dine Brands Global Inc., the parent to casual-dining Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar and family-dining IHOP, has been cautious on price increases, seeing it as a competitive advantage to increasing market share, executives said Tuesday. Glendale, the Calif.-based company, which released earnings for the… read more
When First Watch went public last fall, CEO Chris Tomasso’s message to Wall Street was one the brand had circulated for years, only from a quieter forum. “Nobody is doing what we’re doing at scale.” It’s a point he reiterated Tuesday during First Watch’s Q2 call with investors. The chain closed the period, which ended June… read more
Dutch Bros Coffee — which went public for the first time last fall — is optimistic about its development pipeline, despite external inflationary pressures that are affecting the entire restaurant industry. The Oregon-based coffee chain’s same-store sales declined 3.3% for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022, but on the flip side of that, the… read more
McDonald’s said on Thursday that it will reopen its restaurants in Ukraine, telling employees in a system message that it would begin a phased reopening of its locations in Kyiv and western Ukraine after consultation with officials, suppliers, and security specialists there. Yet it is uncertain how many locations the company plans to reopen in… read more