Ensuring Food Safety when Cleaning Conveyors

Production room sanitation is not as simple as pulling out a water hose. Food safety requires well-thought-out procedures that are understood and followed by the cleaning team. “In the food production environment, we often see dry cleaning with compressed air, sweeping up heavy debris, and then completing a full wet clean with sanitizers and rinse,”…

Read More

Texas Roadhouse Names Jerry Morgan CEO

Texas Roadhouse Board of Directors announced Friday that president Jerry Morgan will also assume the title of Chief Executive Officer of the Louisville-based restaurant company. The promotion is effective immediately. Morgan’s appointment to CEO was part of the Company’s succession plan, which was enacted following the passing of Kent Taylor, the founder, CEO and Chairman…

Read More

Applebee’s Parent Foresees a Future Encompassing Virtual Brands

With a new CEO at the helm, the parent of Applebee’s and IHOP is adjusting its plan for the post-pandemic era to reflect recent lessons from the pandemic, including what the company learned from the discontinued test of a virtual wings concept.  Executives of Dine Brands Global said a second virtual venture, Cosmic Wings, will…

Read More

Stimulus Checks could Give Restaurants a Boost for up to 7 Weeks, Research Shows

The $1,400 stimulus checks that will be distributed to Americans under a certain income threshold (likely $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for households) as part of President Joe Biden’s American Recovery Plan could lift restaurant sales by low-mid single digits for up to seven weeks, an analysis from Bloomberg Intelligence released Wednesday predicts.  In comparison,…

Read More

Famous Dave’s Plans Quick ‘Que Service Format

BBQ Holdings Inc. is working with a Famous Dave’s franchisee to open its first line-service Quick ‘Que model in September, the company says. The Minnetonka, Minn.-based Famous Dave’s, which has 117 restaurants, will open the new streamlined format in Coon Rapids, Minn., with DTSG, a legacy franchise group. Famous Dave’s has traditionally offered a table-service…

Read More

Freddy’s Frozen Custard Sold to Thompson Street Capital Partners

Thompson Street Capital Partners has acquired Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, the 360-unit fast-casual concept, the St. Louis, Mo.-based private equity firm said. Terms of the deal with the Wichita, Kan.-based Freddy’s were not disclosed. Freddy’s was founded in 2002 in Wichita and features a menu of steakburgers, shoestring fries, and frozen custard. The company…

Read More

Starbucks Promotes Regional vice President Dennis Brockman to Global Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer

Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson announced the promotion of Midwest regional vice president, Dennis Brockman to senior vice president and global chief inclusion and diversity officer. He replaces Nzinga Shaw, who left the company in December to work for Marsh & McLennan. Additionally, Michael Hines has been promoted from director of inclusion and diversity compliance and analytics…

Read More

Panera Area Operating Partner on Coaching Employees

Molly Cooper, an area operating partner for Panera, was chosen for the NRN Power List by CEO Niren Chaudhary for her resilience and tenacity as well as her ability to develop and promote people on her teams. Here’s what else Chaudhary had to say: When I reflect on the values that have carried Panera through…

Read More

How to Use Performance Reviews to Motivate Employees

When was the last time you left a conversation feeling actually, completely motivated? Like your goals and priorities have been put into focus, your synapses are firing, and you’re excited to get to work? Got it? Okay. Now, when was the last time you felt that way after a performance review? It’s no secret that…

Read More