The North American Association of Subway Franchisees (“NAASF”), which advocates for its many thousands of franchisee members across North America, is pleased to announce that it has elected its Board officers for 2025: Bill Mathis – Chairman Bill Mathis was re-elected to the position of Board Chairman at the Board’s first meeting of the year… read more

The doughnut chain shook up its management ranks with new chief product, growth and operating officers and a new president of international. Krispy Kreme reshuffled its management ranks this week, handing new titles to four executives, the company said on Thursday. Nicola Steele was named chief operating officer. Currently the president of Krispy Kreme Australia… read more

Sixty-nine percent of consumers trust information shared by an influencer over a brand. Before the era of social media, a review from a reputable publication could make or break a restaurant. But in today’s ever-increasingly digital world where Insta-worthy dishes reign supreme, influencers arguably have the same power. In fact, 88 percent of diners said… read more

The coffee shop giant’s new mission and customer promise emphasize the company’s coffee quality and its connection with consumers, key points in CEO Brian Niccol’s comeback strategy. Starbucks released a new mission statement on Thursday that emphasizes the company’s focus on its coffee and the connection with consumers, a key centerpiece of the company’s comeback… read more

Three larger restaurants will close and two smaller prototypes will open this year. A year after McDonald’s opened beverage concept CosMc’s, the burger giant re-emphasized confidence in the spinoff’s future and believes it found the best format to grow the brand. Since CosMc’s debuted in Bolingbrook, Illinois, in December 2023, the chain has added six… read more

The move was brought about by activist investor Engaged Capital, which last year promised to take steps to “unlock the intrinsic value” of Portillo’s business. Chipotle President Jack Hartung is joining Portillo’s board. It’s a somewhat unusual move, given that Chipotle and Portillo’s are fast-casual competitors, though very different concepts. But Portillo’s Board Chairman Mike… read more

It’s not clear what sort of macroeconomic climate the new year will bring, but big-name restaurateurs are busy with new projects in the works. Many are looking to 2025 with a mix of anticipation and dread. It has been a rough 2024 for most, especially independent restaurants, with consumers keeping a tight grip on their… read more

It’s still too early to get a sense of properties and jobs lost. But industry advisors recommend taking steps now to prepare for a difficult recovery ahead. Dog Haus co-founder André Vener’s home in Pasadena is still standing—sadly, unlike many whose homes were reduced to little more than ashes after fires whipped through the region… read more

Cancun-based Mera Corp. outbid former Fridays’ CEO Ray Blanchette for a group of nine locations, including five at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport, according to reports. TGI Fridays will sell nine of its U.S. corporate locations to an airport restaurant operator after a bankruptcy judge approved the deal on Thursday, according to various media reports. Cancun-based… read more

Professional wrestler and actor John Cena is helping promote the new value platform. McDonald’s new McValue platform has officially arrived in restaurants nationwide as customers search for favorable deals after heavy holiday shopping. The platform houses all of the burger chain’s value offers in one place, including meal deals—like the current $5 Meal Deal—in-app offers,… read more