Corporate Operations: Page 3

7-Eleven’s top foodservice executive departs

Jack Stout, who before last summer was the retailer’s chief merchandising officer for nearly five years, left the company at the end of 2023.

By Brett Dworski • Jan. 8, 2024

Starbucks will accept diners’ personal mugs for drive-thru, app orders

The chain has implemented new equipment and standardized its process for fulfilling personal cup orders following a 200 drive-thru-store test last year.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 3, 2024

Brix hires TGI Fridays alum as CFO

Rick Brown, who previously served in leadership roles at TGI Fridays for 14 years, joins Brix as the company plans rapid growth across all of its brands.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 19, 2023

Donuts and do nots: Krispy Kreme’s first ESG report reveals carbon emissions spike

The chain said it achieved carbon neutrality in some global operations through carbon offsets, despite a jump in scope 1 and scope 2 emissions overall.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 18, 2023

Wingstop names CIO

Chris Fallon joins the wing brand as it prepares to roll out a $50 million in-house technology platform built to allow it to leave Olo’s system.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 15, 2023

Cava is bolstering customization through catering, loyalty strategy

The Mediterranean chain is testing restaurant models with expanded kitchen space to support catering and a new, bankable points rewards program to deepen engagement, said CEO Brett Schulman.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 14, 2023

Chipotle invests in regenerative farming robots

The restaurant chain is looking to reduce its dependence on conventional fertilizer with a fleet of autonomous, weed-cutting bots.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 14, 2023

Papa Johns taps The Martin Agency, Carat in agency shakeup

Both shops pitched the pizza chain on insight-driven strategies that can drive cultural relevance and improve areas like targeting and loyalty.

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 13, 2023

CosMc’s service model, pricing unlikely to hurt Starbucks, analysts say

The concept’s drinks and snacks are similar to Starbucks and Dutch Bros’ offerings, but CosMc’s comparative discount may not make up for a “lack of human interaction,” per a William Blair report.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 12, 2023

McDonald’s doubles down on geofencing

The chain will expand its Ready on Arrival mobile pickup technology, which can trim wait times by about 60 seconds, in its top six markets by 2025.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 11, 2023

McDonald’s taps Google Cloud to super-size analytics, AI

The fast food giant said it plans to leverage the hyperscaler’s hardware and software capabilities across thousands of locations worldwide.

By Matt Ashare • Dec. 8, 2023

McDonald’s CosMc’s chain is coming for Starbucks customers

The beverage-forward concept is targeting the “3 p.m. slump” — a daypart Starbucks is also working to improve — with highly customizable caffeinated beverages and select food items, CEO Chris Kempczinski told investors Wednesday.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 7, 2023

Dave & Buster’s sees future in revamped restaurants and loyalty growth

The restaurant chain is remodeling its store fleet and enhancing its loyalty program with personalized offerings.

By Bryan Wassel • Dec. 7, 2023

6 key details about CosMc’s, McDonald’s new fast food chain

CEO Chris Kempczinski said he believes McDonald’s has “the right to win” the afternoon “beverage pick-me-up occasion” with its new concept, which will be tested in three markets over at least one year.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 7, 2023

McDonald’s aims for 50K units by 2027, plans AI deployment

To reach that mark, the restaurant chain will need to increase its growth rate by roughly 80% to about 2,200 openings per year.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 6, 2023

Fueling Up: People hate Wawa’s pizza. Here’s what the company can do about it.

Critics and consumers have harshly judged the retailer’s pies since they debuted this summer. If sales are also poor, it may need to pull pizza from its menus, one expert says.

By Brett Dworski • Dec. 5, 2023

McDonald’s asks SCOTUS to hear no-poach case

A group of former employees sued in 2018, alleging that hiring restrictions between the fast food chain and its franchises constituted a “per se” violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

By Ryan Golden • Dec. 4, 2023

Papa Johns will pay $175K to settle ADA claim involving service dog

The worker was not allowed to bring to work the dog he needed for his commute — despite running the accommodation past the store manager ahead of time, according to the complaint.

By Emilie Shumway • Dec. 4, 2023

Why Domino’s is awarding half a million dollars in snow plowing grants

Chief Brand Officer Kate Trumbull explained how the chain’s latest effort shows off an "experienced by few, seen by many" ethos.

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 4, 2023

Brinker appoints MGM Resorts exec as Maggiano’s president

Dominique Bertolone joins the casual dining Italian brand as it faces sliding traffic and looks to resume growth.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 1, 2023

Inspire Brands changes its corporate structure

The company’s new structure is centered on brands, commercial and company restaurants and growth, to take advantage of its scale and shared services.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 30, 2023

Kitchen United will sell or close all physical units, pivot to software

The ghost kitchen pioneer, which raised $100 million last year to expand its food halls, began to offload its physical locations months ago. It has already shuttered its Kroger outposts, which made up 44% of its footprint.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne , Catherine Douglas Moran • Updated Nov. 29, 2023

Starbucks adds 4 holiday cold foam flavors

Starbucks’ new holiday cold foam could help drive year-round consumption of cold coffee, even as customization strains store-level labor.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Nov. 29, 2023

Starbucks introduces oversight committee to improve governance

The coffee chain said the Environmental, Partner and Community Impact committee will help improve its supply chain operations and employee relationships.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 27, 2023

Taking off in style – Turning airport terminals into premium dining and hospitality destinations

How airports are transforming terminal dining from a passenger hassle into an enjoyable part of travel.

Nov. 27, 2023