Posts Tagged ‘Industry Spotlight’

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…

The fast-casual chain is boosting its leadership with experienced franchise operators. The new execs have also pledged to open 50 Dog Haus units as franchisees themselves. Dog Haus is moving into the next phase of its ground-breaking plan to rethink franchising as we know it. The Pasadena, California-based fast-casual chain on Thursday announced that two…

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…

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…

The new program gives operators $150,000 in cash to franchisees that open one of its Grill & Chill location on time Want to open a Dairy Queen? The brand will give you cash. The Minneapolis-based treat chain said on Wednesday announced a new incentive program, giving franchisees who open one of the brand’s Grill &…

The clothing company has carved out a unique niche in casual dining with its combination of retail stores and restaurants that offer customers a sense of escape. When most people think of Tommy Bahama, they probably picture Hawaiian-print shirts, Panama hats and polos with the little marlin logo. But the island-chic clothing brand also runs…

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…

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…

Mustafa Husain, former VP of restaurant technology engineering, will replace Valerie Ashbaugh starting May 1. Dive Brief: McDonald’s SVP and U.S. CIO Valerie Ashbaugh will depart at the end of April, the company said in a Tuesday announcement. The executive is leaving after less than a year as CIO, ending a five-year stint at the…

Operators in Texas claim adding Applebee’s to existing IHOP restaurants broke development exclusivity agreements. Dive Brief: Applebee’s franchisees Apple Texas Restaurants and Apple Houston Restaurants have sued the franchisor for allegedly violating the exclusivity portions of their franchisee agreements with dual-branded IHOP/Applebee’s units, court records show. The operators say one open dual-branded restaurant and two…