Wendy’s Welcomes Wright Back

Wendy’s welcomed back Robert Wright as the chain’s president and chief executive officer. Wright comes to Wendy’s from Potbelly, where he served as president and chief executive officer. His prior experience includes multiple senior leadership roles at Wendy’s, including as executive vice president and chief operations officer. Wright’s resume also includes stints in leadership roles…

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Church’s Texas Chicken appoints Popeyes vet as chief commercial officer

Kevin Nemeth will oversee various aspects of the chain’s commercial strategy and help connect brand, digital, loyalty, menu and execution. Name: Kevin Nemeth New title: Executive vice president, chief commercial officer, Church’s Texas Chicken Previous title: Chief digital and marketing officer, Authentic Restaurant Brands Kevin Nemeth has over 15 years of experience leading digital transformation…

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Tijuana Flats relaunches franchising

Under the ownership of Latitude Food Group, the 100-unit fast casual chain will partner with operators to open new units and refranchise select corporate stores. Dive Brief: Tijuana Flats has relaunched franchising over a year after it emerged from bankruptcy and about six months after &pizza acquired the chain and formed Latitude Food Group, according…

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Rising Fuel Costs Drive New Margin Pressures for QSR Operators

Operators are confronting a less predictable cost pressure that can ripple through delivery economics, supply chains, consumer spending habits, and restaurant margins. For the past several years, QSR operators have dealt with rising inflation. As food, labor, and occupancy costs have grown, QSRs have had to stay disciplined on pricing, efficiency, and margins. That pressure…

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Clover Food Lab shuts down as the plant-based meat trend fades

The 11-unit Massachusetts-based chain, which had been looking for a buyer, is closing its locations on Thursday, two years after it emerged from bankruptcy. Another plant-based chain is shutting down. Clover Food Labs which two years ago emerged from bankruptcy with a vow to grow rapidly across New England, is closing its remaining 11 restaurants…

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Ali Group Announces Leadership Appointments Across Ali Group North America, BUNN and ACP

CHICAGO (April 29, 2026) — Ali Group, which operates in North America under the Welbilt brand, today announced a series of leadership appointments effective May 11, impacting its global organization and North American operations, including changes at Ali Group North America, BUNN and ACP, Inc. (ACP), which includes the Amana Commercial, Menumaster Commercial and XpressChef…

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What’s challenging restaurant chain execs in 2026

At the Restaurant Leadership Conference in Phoenix, five C-level executives shared the ins and outs of growing their brands. Consistency, quality, reassessment, respect for roots, customer experience and building strong teams—these are some of the keys to successful growth, according to five C-level chain executives who shared speedy versions of their stories on stage Monday…

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