Fresh deals will help the brand grow across the countries on its way to 1,000 stores globally. TGI Fridays has signed several deals that will bring more restaurants to Peru and Japan. Sugarloaf TGIF Management, which manages the global brand, will work with long-time franchise partners Franquicias Alimentarias S.A. and Watami Co. Ltd. to develop… read more

The casual-dining chain blamed sales declines, rising costs and staffing challenges for its financial issues. UPDATE: This story has been updated to include a statement from Abuelo’s. Another casual-dining chain has filed for bankruptcy. Abuelo’s, a 16-unit Mexican concept based in Lubbock, Texas, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Tuesday, citing sales declines, rising costs, staffing… read more

Fast-casual restaurant chain Jersey Mike’s Subs appointed Stacy Peterson to serve as president and chief operating officer. Peterson joins Jersey Mike’s after serving as chief executive officer at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Her background also includes nearly a decade at Wingstop, ultimately serving as chief revenue and technology officer. Her resume also includes leadership positions… read more

The fast-casual chain is partnering in a joint venture with South Korea-based SPC Group, which is also the parent of Paris Baguette. Chipotle is already known in Asia, thanks to K-pop royalty and their devoted stans. Chipotle is going to Asia. And you can thank K-pop for that. In an ongoing plan to expand internationally,… read more

Pokeworks, the leading local fast-casual poke brand, is posting record-breaking guest engagement in 2025, powered by strong same-store sales and a rapidly scaling loyalty program. In the first seven months of the year, the brand grew its Pokeworks Rewards loyalty program 4x faster than 2024 and delivered double-digit loyalty sales growth. Pokeworks partnered with Thanx… read more

Potbelly has a goal to reach 2,000 restaurants system-wide. And it believes it has found a partner in RaceTrac to help the fast-casual sandwich chain hit that goal. C-store chain RaceTrac has inked a deal to acquire Potbelly in an all-cash deal, valued at $566 million. The transaction is expected to close during the fourth… read more

Sean Tresvant was promoted to chief executive officer for Taco Bell, effective October 1, 2025. Tresvant will also become chief consumer officer for Taco Bell’s parent company Yum! Brands. This is one of a series of leadership moves Yum! is making as Chris Turner prepares to become Yum! Brands CEO, effective October 1, 2025. Other… read more

Eating and drinking establishments added 11,000 roles in August, while the U.S. economy overall added just 22,000 positions The August jobs report released on Friday morning indicated a significant slowdown in hiring, with just 22,000 total positions added during the month. Throughout the past four months, 107,000 net new jobs have been added, versus the… read more

Senior director Nicole McMickle has made it her mission to foster open dialogue, raise awareness, and reduce stigmas Nicole McMickle will celebrate 19 years with Bloomin’ Brands in September, and during that time, she’s had the opportunity to grow through a variety of roles, including managing partner and multiunit operator. She eventually transitioned to the… read more

The executive shares his advice, along with his most-binged TV show, favorite sports team, and most-used app Rick Cardenas got his first job when he was 16, serving as a busser at Red Lobster. Four decades later, Cardenas is the CEO of the company that once owned Red Lobster, Darden Restaurants, whose portfolio now includes… read more